Complete genome sequence of Sebaldella termitidis type strain (NCTC 11300)

Abstract

Sebaldella termitidis (Sebald 1962) Collins and Shah 1986, is the only species in the genus Sebaldella within the fusobacterial family 'Leptotrichiaceae'. The sole and type strain of the species was first isolated about 50 years ago from intestinal content of Mediterranean termites. The species is of interest for its very isolated phylogenetic position within the phylum Fusobacteria in the tree of life, with no other species sharing more than 90% 16S rRNA sequence similarity. The 4,486,650 bp long genome with its 4,210 protein-coding and 54 RNA genes is part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.

Keywords: GEBA; Gram-negative; anaerobic; mesophile; non-sporeforming; nonmotile; termite intestine; ‘Fusobacteria’; ‘Leptotrichiaceae’.

Figure 1

Phylogenetic tree highlighting the position of S. termitidis NCTC 11300^T relative to the other type strains within the family ‘Leptotrichiaceae’. The tree was inferred from 1,422 aligned characters [9,10] of the 16S rRNA gene sequence under the maximum likelihood criterion [11] and rooted in accordance with the current taxonomy. The branches are scaled in terms of the expected number of substitutions per site. Numbers above branches are support values from 1,000 bootstrap replicates if larger than 60%. Lineages with type strain genome sequencing projects registered in GOLD [12] are shown in blue, published genomes in bold, e.g. the recently published GEBA genomes from Leptotrichia buccalis [13], and Streptobacillus moniliformis [14].

Figure 2

Scanning electron micrograph of S. termitidis NCTC 11300^T. (J. Carr, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia). More EM photos of the organism can be found at http://phil.cdc.gov/phil.

Figure 3

Graphical circular maps of the chromosome and the two plasmids. From outside to the center: Genes on forward strand (color by COG categories), Genes on reverse strand (color by COG categories), RNA genes (tRNAs green, rRNAs red, other RNAs black), GC content, GC skew.