Whole Genomic Sequencing and Analysis of Bacillus subtilis PWA: Linking Plastic Bioconversion to PHA Production
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Plastic pollution requires innovative microbial solutions for plastic valorisation into sustainable bioproducts, such as intracellular PHA, during stressed conditions. This study reports the whole genome sequencing (WGS) and annotation of Bacillus subtilis PWA, using plastics for biopolymer PHA production. High throughput genome sequencing using Illumina NovaSeq 6000 gave a total of 983,667 raw reads with 114x average genome coverage. Genome assembly (4.3 Mb draft genome with 43.18% GC content) was submitted to NCBI database under the assembly number GCA_047314825.1. Approximately 4,517 genes (4,191 protein-coding) were annotated by NCBI Prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline (PGAP). Functional annotation revealed genes associated with plastic degradation (alkB1, alkB2, alkB3, and CYP153) and PHA biosynthesis (phaA, phaB, phaC, phaJ, phaZ). The identification of genes concerned with survival and adaptation, for instance, osmoprotectant uptake (opuAA, opuAB, opuCA, opuCC), betaine biosynthesis (betB, opuD), and choline metabolism (natAB) supports the ability of strain PWA to survive in extremely stressed environments. Genome was visualized using Proksee CGViewer, while protein structure was visualized using AlphaFold. Metabolic pathways studied in the Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KeGG) demonstrate modules for hydrocarbon degradation and PHA biosynthesis. The findings of this study including the genomic repertoire underscore the circular bioeconomic potential of the strain PWA for large-scale bioplastic production through the bioconversion of plastic wastes. Future studies should focus on metabolic engineering of PHA operon for optimized and volumetric production.
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