Genomic mining for bioprospecting of biosynthetic gene clusters of bacterial metabolites potentially useful in agroecological production.

Abstract

Objective: To describe the relevance and some tools of the genomic mining to explore genetic and molecular determinants encoded in bacterial genomes to address agronomic problems.

Design/methodology/approach: Literature review of the importance of bacteria as a reservoir of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC) involved in the production of metabolites with biological activity as anti-pathogens and of genome mining as a tool to reveal this potential.

Results: The bioinformatic tools useful for the exploration of bacterial genomes has the potential to contribute to the resolution of problems in agronomy, for example, the use of bacteria, their genes and metabolites for the control of phytopathogens that attack crops of global importance. Likewise, the limitations of the genome mining and their coupling with other experimental approaches to achieve bioprospecting of BGC or their related metabolites are summarized.

Limitations of the study/implications: Although the use of genome mining to explore the potential of bacteria is a very powerful approach, it will always be necessary the experimental corroboration at the laboratory level, to confirm the hypotheses generated by bioinformatics tools.

Findings/conclusions: The genomic mining makes possible to take advantage of the large number of bacterial genomes currently sequenced and available in public databases to understand the genetic bases of their biological activities; as well as for the heterologous expression of biosynthetic genes, or the identification and purification of new metabolites. The foregoing with the objective of contributing with more effective and environmentally friendly solutions that address agronomic problems.