Comparative Genomics Discloses the Uniqueness and the Biosynthetic Potential of the Marine Cyanobacterium .

Baeocytous cyanobacteria (Pleurocapsales/Subsection II) can thrive in a wide range of habitats on Earth but, compared to other cyanobacterial lineages, they remain poorly studied at genomic level. In this study, we sequenced the first genome from a member of the genus - LEGE 07179, a recently described species isolated from the Portuguese foreshore. This genome is the largest of the thirteen baeocyte-forming cyanobacterial genomes sequenced so far, and diverges from the most closely related strains. Comparative analysis revealed strain-specific genes and horizontal gene transfer events between and its closest relatives. Moreover, . genome is distinctive by the number and diversity of natural product biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). The majority of these clusters are strain-specific BGCs with a high probability of synthesizing novel natural products. One BGC was identified as being putatively involved in the production of terminal olefin. Our results showed that, . produces hydrocarbon with C chain length, and synthesizes C, C, and C fatty acids exceeding 4% of the dry cell weight. Overall, our data contributed to increase the information on baeocytous cyanobacteria, and shed light on evolution, phylogeny and natural product biosynthetic potential.