Genomic Insights into Pseudomonas sp. VD9: A Naphthalene-Degrading and Exopolysaccharide-Producing Strain

Genomic Insights into Pseudomonas sp. VD9: A Naphthalene-Degrading and Exopolysaccharide-Producing Strain Full article

Journal

Current Microbiology
ISSN: 0343-8651 , E-ISSN: 1432-0991

Output data

Year: 2026, Volume: 83, Number: 4, Article number : 227, Pages count : DOI: 10.1007/s00284-026-04814-4

Authors

Baukova Alexandra S. ¹ , Vetrova Anna ¹ , Streletskiy Rostislav ² , Kazakova Elizaveta ³ , Tarasova Irina ³ , Pozdnyakova-Filatova Irina ¹ , Suzina Nataliya ¹ , Tserfas Maria ⁴ , Avtukh Alexander ¹ , Bogun Alexander G. ¹ , Delegan Yanina ^5,6

Affiliations

1	G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Federal Research Center Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow Region, 142290, Pushchino, Russia
2	Faculty of Soil Science, Laboratory of Ecological Soil Science, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
3	N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334, Russia
4	N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Moscow, 119991, Russia
5	Academy of Biology and Medicine on Behalf of D.I. Ivanovsky, Southern Federal University, 105/42 Bolshaya Sadovaya, Rostov-on-Don, 344006, Russia. y.delegan@yandex.ru
6	G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Federal Research Center Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow Region, 142290, Pushchino, Russia. y.delegan@yandex.ru

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive study of a new, plasmid-free strain of Pseudomonas sp. VD9 isolated from oil-contaminated soil. It addresses the lack of data on the structure and functional properties of exopolysaccharide (EPS) capsules in natural strains that can biodegrade aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, particularly when cultivated on non-carbohydrate substrates. This study aimed to characterise the genome, physiology, biochemistry and morphology of strain VD9, focusing on its hydrocarbon degradation potential and the structure and composition of the capsular exo polysaccharide. Whole-genome sequencing, extended annotation, and bioinformatics were used in this study, in addition to comparative phenotypic and physiological analyses of growth on various substrates, electron microscopy, thin-layer chromatography of the capsule and expression analysis of key EPS synthesis genes. Strain VD9 demonstrated effective degradation of naphthalene (69.7% in 72 h) and limited degradation of decane (25.9% in 77 h), maintaining a developed fibrillar capsule regardless of the carbon source used. The chromosome of the strain bears a complete set of genes for hydrocarbon catabolism and structural polysaccharide synthesis. Notably, the expression of rml and wbbL was observed under different growth conditions, indicating their constitutive transcription. Strain VD9 demonstrated constitutive produc tion of a developed fibrillar capsule, irrespective of the carbon source utilised. This may be indicative of adaptation to oil-contaminated conditions. The novelty of this study lies in demonstrating constitutive capsule production in a plasmid free, oil-degrading strain capable of efficiently degrading aromatic hydrocarbons.

Baukova A.S. , Vetrova A. , Streletskiy R. , Kazakova E. , Tarasova I. , Pozdnyakova-Filatova I. , Suzina N. , Tserfas M. , Avtukh A. , Bogun A.G. , Delegan Y.
Genomic Insights into Pseudomonas sp. VD9: A Naphthalene-Degrading and Exopolysaccharide-Producing Strain
Current Microbiology. 2026. V.83. N4. 227 . DOI: 10.1007/s00284-026-04814-4 Scopus OpenAlex

Submitted:	Sep 11, 2025
Accepted:	Feb 26, 2026
Published online:	Mar 7, 2026

≡ Scopus:	2-s2.0-105032719563
≡ OpenAlex:	W7134121354