Work

Comparative genomics of Rhodospirillum rubrum S1 lineages reveals significant differences from the reference genome

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Laboratory cultivation imposes selective pressures that drive rapid bacterial evolution, compromising experimental reproducibility.Here, comparative phenotypic and genomic analyses revealed significant divergence between two Rhodospirillum rubrum S1 lineages originally obtained from the same culture collection.Although both shared baseline variations relative to the reference genome, their trajectories diverged.A recently sourced line (DSM 467) exhibited few additional mutations, including a fliF frameshift abolishing motility.Conversely, a long-maintained laboratory line remained motile but harbored numerous unique variants, particularly within stress-responsive histidine kinases.These results demonstrate passaging-induced genomic drift, highlighting the necessity of cryopreservation and minimal serial cultivation to ensure strain fidelity.

Source: microPublication biology

DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.002395

Authors: Sebastian Pöhl, Anke Treuner-Lange, Martin Thanbichler

Institutions: Philipps University of Marburg, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology

Language: English

Topic: Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft

OpenAlex ID: W7223128984