Phenotypic characterization and draft genome sequence analyses of two novel endospore-forming Sporosarcina spp. isolated from Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) feces

Authors: KEHRI, JITENDRA - Western University Of Health Sciences; SMITH, KRISTINA - Oregon State University; SVEDSEN, MOLLY - Oregon State University; KEILLOR, HALEY - Oregon State University; MOSS, MADELINE - Oregon State University; JORDAN, HALEY - Oregon State University; LARKIN, ABIGAIL - Oregon State University; GARRISH, JOHNNA - Retired ARS Employee; LINE, ERIC - Retired ARS Employee; BALI, PATRICK - Oregon State University; OAKLEY, BRIAN - Western University Of Health Sciences; SEAL, BRUCE - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Microorganisms
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/22/2023
Publication Date: 12/29/2023
Citation: Kehri, J., Smith, K.M., Svedsen, M.K., Keillor, H.R., Moss, M.L., Jordan, H.J., Larkin, A.M., Garrish, J.K., Line, E., Bali, P.N., Oakley, B.B., Seal, B.S. 2023. Phenotypic characterization and draft genome sequence analyses of two novel endospore-forming Sporosarcina spp. isolated from Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) feces. Microorganisms. 12:70. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12010070.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12010070

Interpretive Summary: Bird species have been reported to harbor communities of microorganisms in their gastrointestinal tract that play crucial roles in providing the host with nutrition and protection from pathogens. Although most uses for bacterial species in the genus Sporosarcina are industrial, three members of the genus have been reported to possess properties that make them potential poultry probiotics. To isolate new probiotic bacteria from poultry origins, bacteria from feces of Canada geese were isolated and examined for potential beneficial bacteria. Two Gram-variable, spore-forming, rodshaped aerobic bacteria were isolated. Strain A4 was able to grow in high salt levels and exhibited lipase activity, while A15 did not propagate under these conditions. Both were positive for starch hydrolysis, and they inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Searches for the most similar genomes showed the nearest genome to strain A4 and A15 as Sporosarcina sp. P13 and S. newyorkensis, respectively. Sporosarcina spp. strains A4 and A15 contain urease genes, and a fibronectin-binding protein gene indicates that these bacteria may bind to eukaryotic cells in host gastrointestinal tracts. Phenotypic and phylogenetic data indicate these bacteria are two novel isolates of the Sporosarcina genus. These new species of bacteria will be beneficial to the poultry industry as novel bacteria with probiotic characteristics useful in poultry production.

Technical Abstract: In an attempt to isolate new probiotic bacteria, two Gram-variable, spore-forming, rodshaped aerobic bacteria designated as strain A4 and A15 were isolated from the feces of Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Strain A4 was able to grow in high salt levels and exhibited lipase activity, while A15 did not propagate under these conditions. Both were positive for starch hydrolysis, and they inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. The strains of the 16S rRNA sequence shared only 94% similarity to previously identified Sporosarcina spp. The ANI (78.08%) and AAI (82.35%) between the two strains were less than the species threshold. Searches for the most similar genomes using the Mash/Minhash algorithm showed the nearest genome to strain A4 and A15 as Sporosarcina sp. P13 (distance of 21%) and S. newyorkensis (distance of 17%), respectively. Sporosarcina spp. strains A4 and A15 contain urease genes, and a fibronectin-binding protein gene indicates that these bacteria may bind to eukaryotic cells in host gastrointestinal tracts. Phenotypic and phylogenetic data, along with low dDDH, ANI, and AAI values for strains A4 and A15, indicate these bacteria are two novel isolates of the Sporosarcina genus: Sporosarcina sp. A4 sp. nov., type strain as Sporosarcina cascadiensis and Sporosarcina sp. A15 sp. nov., type strain Sporosarcina obsidiansis.