Genomic Exploration of a Chitinolytic PMB5 Strain from European mantis ().

The genus is renowned not only for its natural antibiotic production but also for its abundant chitinolytic enzymes, which break down stubborn chitin into chitooligosaccharides. Despite this, there have been limited studies utilizing whole-genome sequencing to explore the repertoire of chitin degradation and utilization genes in . A particularly compelling source of novel antimicrobials and enzymes lies in the microbiota of insects, where bacterial symbionts produce antimicrobials to protect against opportunistic pathogens and enzymes to adapt to the environment. In this study, we present the chitinolytic strain PMB5, isolated from the insectivorous (European mantis). Whole-genome sequencing revealed that PMB5 harbors a linear chromosome of 7,211,961 bp and a linear plasmid of 327,989 bp. The genome comprises 6683 genes, including 6592 protein-coding sequences and 91 RNA genes. Furthermore, genome analysis revealed 19 biosynthetic gene clusters covering polyketides, terpenes, and RiPPs, with 10 clusters showing significant gene similarity (>80%) to known clusters like antimycin, hopene, and geosmin. In the genome of PMB5, we were able to identify several antibiotic resistance genes; these included (resistance to phenicol), (resistance to macrolides), (resistance to aminocoumarin), / (resistance to macrolides), (resistance to aminocoumarin) and (resistance to beta-lactams). Additionally, three clusters displayed no similarity to known sequences, suggesting novel bioactive compound discovery potential. Remarkably, strain PMB5 is the first reported capable of thriving on a medium utilizing chitin as a carbon source, with over 50 chitin-utilizing genes identified, including five AA10 family LPMOs, five GH18 chitinases, and one GH19 chitinase. This study significantly enhances the genomic understanding of , a species previously underrepresented in research, paving the way to further exploration of the biotechnological potential of the species.