Diversity of polyketide synthase (PKS) genes in the metagenomic community of epilithic biofilms from the littoral zone of Lake Baikal

Abstract

The secondary metabolite genes detected in the metagenomic community of epilithic biofilms of Lake Baikal belong to the representatives of well-known producers of various metabolites, e.g. Cyanobacteria, which produce toxins and antibiotics (nodularin, nostocine, microcyctine, and curacin), and Proteobacteria, which produce antibiotics (erythromycin and tuggacin). Additionally, in the production of natural substances, we detected PKS genes of new representatives: Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes and Verrucomicrobia. Most of the obtained PKS gene sequences belonged to the phylum Verrucomicrobia, which corresponds to the gene diversity typical of soil communities. The investigated biotopes are a source for the isolation and study of new producers that may possess unique active substances.