Bacterial Diversity and Phylogenetic Analysis of Type II Polyketide Synthase Gene from Manao-Pee Cave, Thailand

ABSTRACT

A subterranean limestone cave, Manao-Pee, was investigated for bacterial diversity and potential secondary metabolites production. Comparative 16 S rRNA analysis revealed that cave soil was highly dominated by Actinobacteria; whereas, Proteobacteria was highly abundant outside the cave. As Actinobacteria are biotechnologically valuable for their secondary metabolites, the diversity of the β-ketoacyl synthase (KS_β) was investigated. The results showed that the identified KS_β has 61–80% amino acid sequence identity to known sequences. Phylogenetic analysis placed some of the sequences in novel clades, suggesting the presence of novel KS_β domains. Thus, Manao-Pee cave is a promising habitat to discover potential novel bioactive compounds.

KEYWORDS:

• Bacterial diversity
• khao wang khamen
• type II polyketide synthase
• 16 S rRNA
• β-ketoacyl synthase gene

Acknowledgments

We like to thank Dr. Albert Ketterman for critically reading of the manuscript. In addition, we greatly acknowledge the Agriculture and Cooperative Division of Armed Forces Development Command, Kanchanaburi province, for their help in accessing the study area.

Additional information

Funding

This study is supported by the Thailand Research Fund through the Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Program (Grant No. PHD/0029/2557), the Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the Royal Initiation of Her Royal Highness Princes Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (RSPG) and Mahidol University.