Genomic Analysis of Bacillus licheniformis CBA7126 Isolated from a Human Fecal Sample

Bacillus licheniformis is a Gram-positive, endospore-forming, saprophytic organism that occurs in plant and soil (Veith et al., 2004). A taxonomical approach shows that it is closely related to Bacillus subtilis (Lapidus et al., 2002; Xu and Côte, 2003; Rey et al., 2004). Generally, most bacilli are predominantly aerobic; however, B. licheniformis is a facultative anaerobe compared to other bacilli in ecological niches (Alexander, 1977). The commercial utility of the extracellular products of B. licheniformis makes this microorganism an economically interesting species (Kovács et al., 2009). For example, B. licheniformis is used industrially for manufacturing biochemicals, enzymes, antibiotics, and aminopeptidase. Several proteases such as α-amylase, penicillinase, pentosanase, cycloglucosyltransferase, β-mannanase, and certain pectinolytic enzymes are synthesized industrially using B. licheniformis (Rodríguez-Absi and Prescott, 1978; Rey et al., 2004). The proteases are used in the detergent industry and the amylases are utilized for starch hydrolysis, desizing of textiles, and sizing of paper (Erickson, 1976). In addition, certain strains are utilized to produce peptide antibiotics, specialty chemicals, and poly-γ-glutamic acid (Nierman and Maglott, 1989; Rey et al., 2004). The annotated genome sequence of B. licheniformis has been previously analyzed to assess the biotechnological importance of the organism (Veith et al., 2004). Since the first sequencing, the genomes of specific B. licheniformis strains have been sequenced to completely realize its industrial potential. In this study, genome sequencing of B. licheniformis CBA7126 isolated from a human fecal sample was performed to understand bacterial specificity. The genome sequence of CBA7126 revealed features such as stress response genes, antibiotic-resistance genes, and genes for resistance to toxic compounds, which are of considerable biotechnological value.