Pangenome of Streptomyces sampsonii and Relatives Highlights Horizontal Gene Transfer and Secondary Metabolism in Environmental Adaptation and Ecological Significance

Abstract

ABSTRACT Streptomyces sampsonii is a promising biocontrol bacterium, but its genomic basis of adaptation and secondary metabolism remains unclear. Here, we present a chromosome‐level genome assembly of S. sampsonii (7.20 Mb, 6015 protein‐coding genes) and perform comparative analyses with 95 related Streptomyces species. Phylogenomic and synteny analyses revealed its closest relationship with S. albidoflavus , while extensive structural variations distinguished more distant lineages. Pangenome analysis uncovered 84,178 gene clusters, with pan_shell and pan_cloud genes predominantly enriched in xenobiotic biodegradation, metabolism, and antibiotic biosynthesis, highlighting their roles in ecological adaptation and biocontrol potential. Biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) analysis identified numerous NRPS, PKS, and terpene pathways, many of which belong to pan_shell and pan_cloud regions, suggesting dynamic evolutionary origins. We further detected 66,260 horizontally transferred (HGT) genes, including 438 in BGCs, underscoring HGT as a major driver of metabolic innovation. Together, these findings provide novel insights into the genomic diversity, adaptive capacity, and secondary metabolic potential of S. sampsonii and its close relatives.