{"type": "FeatureCollection", "features": [{"id": "10.1038/s41598-023-49194-y", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-07-27T16:18:27Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2023-12-13", "title": "Unraveling the genome of Bacillus velezensis MEP218, a strain producing fengycin homologs with broad antibacterial activity: comprehensive comparative genome analysis", "description": "Abstract

Bacillus sp. MEP218, a soil bacterium with high potential as a source of bioactive molecules, produces mostly C16\uffe2\uff80\uff93C17 fengycin and other cyclic lipopeptides (CLP) when growing under previously optimized culture conditions. This work addressed the elucidation of the genome sequence of MEP218 and its taxonomic classification. The genome comprises 3,944,892\uffc2\uffa0bp, with a total of 3474 coding sequences and a G\uffe2\uff80\uff89+\uffe2\uff80\uff89C content of 46.59%. Our phylogenetic analysis to determine the taxonomic position demonstrated that the assignment of the MEP218 strain to Bacillus velezensis species provides insights into its evolutionary context and potential functional attributes. The in silico genome analysis revealed eleven gene clusters involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites, including non-ribosomal CLP (fengycins and surfactin), polyketides, terpenes, and bacteriocins. Furthermore, genes encoding phytase, involved in the release of phytic phosphate for plant and animal nutrition, or other enzymes such as cellulase, xylanase, and alpha 1\uffe2\uff80\uff934 glucanase were detected. In vitro antagonistic assays against Salmonella typhimurium, Acinetobacter baumanii, Escherichia coli, among others, demonstrated a broad spectrum of C16\uffe2\uff80\uff93C17 fengycin produced by MEP218. MEP218 genome sequence analysis expanded our understanding of the diversity and genetic relationships within the Bacillus genus and updated the Bacillus databases with its unique trait to produce antibacterial fengycins and its potential as a resource of biotechnologically useful enzymes.Bacillus sp. MEP218, a soil bacterium with high potential as a source of bioactive molecules, produces mostly C16\uffe2\uff80\uff93C17 fengycin and other cyclic lipopeptides (CLP) when growing under previously optimized culture conditions. This work addressed the elucidation of the genome sequence of MEP218 and its taxonomic classification. The genome comprises 3,944,892\uffc2\uffa0bp, with a total of 3474 coding sequences and a G\uffe2\uff80\uff89+\uffe2\uff80\uff89C content of 46.59%. Our phylogenetic analysis to determine the taxonomic position demonstrated that the assignment of the MEP218 strain to Bacillus velezensis species provides insights into its evolutionary context and potential functional attributes. The in silico genome analysis revealed eleven gene clusters involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites, including non-ribosomal CLP (fengycins and surfactin), polyketides, terpenes, and bacteriocins. Furthermore, genes encoding phytase, involved in the release of phytic phosphate for plant and animal nutrition, or other enzymes such as cellulase, xylanase, and alpha 1\uffe2\uff80\uff934 glucanase were detected. In vitro antagonistic assays against Salmonella typhimurium, Acinetobacter baumanii, Escherichia coli, among others, demonstrated a broad spectrum of C16\uffe2\uff80\uff93C17 fengycin produced by MEP218. MEP218 genome sequence analysis expanded our understanding of the diversity and genetic relationships within the Bacillus genus and updated the Bacillus databases with its unique trait to produce antibacterial fengycins and its potential as a resource of biotechnologically useful enzymes.