Pan-genome analysis of Alistipes Genomes: Exploration of diversity and pathogenicity

Abstract

Alistipes, a recently identified and comparatively unexplored bacterial genus of the Bacteroidetes phylum, has several species isolated from both healthy and diseased individuals. This gram negative, anaerobic, rod-shaped genus of bacteria has multiple complete genomes of different species available; yet the pathogenicity and other clinically significant genomic characteristics have not been characterized. In this study, 16 genomes of different Alistipes species were used for pan-genome analysis to understand the diversity of the genes across the genus. Furthermore, the same genomes were used to identify the genes related to antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and other clinically significant genomic characteristics. In this comparative genomic analysis, the conserved characteristics as well as the variability of different species of Alistipes have been elucidated. Thirty-six antibiotic resistance genes that provide different strains and/or isolates of Alistipes resistance to antibiotics e.g., rifampicin, fluoroquinolone, tetracycline, etc. were identified. Additionally, the identification of bacterial type II secretion system and type II toxin antitoxin systems as well as other virulence genes in the Alistipes genomes provides new insights on the impact of the bacteria on human health. Ultimately, the identification of pathogenicity associated factors may lead to accurate therapeutic interventions when dealing with different Alistipes species.