Genomic analysis of Paenibacillus sp. MDMC362 from the Merzouga desert leads to the identification of a potentially thermostable catalase.

Microorganisms in hot deserts face heat and other environmental conditions, such as desiccation, UV radiation, or low nutrient availability. Therefore, this hostile environment harbour microorganisms with acquired characteristics related to survival in their habitat, which can be exploited in biotechnology. In this work, the genome of Paenibacillus sp. MDMC362 isolated from the Merzouga desert in Morocco was sequenced to understand its survival strategy's genetic basis; and to evaluate the thermostability of a catalase extracted from genomic annotation files using molecular dynamics. Paenibacillus sp. MDMC362 genome was rich in genetic elements involved in the fight against different stresses, notably temperature stress, UV radiations, osmotic stress, carbon starvation, and oxidative stress. Indeed, we could identify genes of the operons groES-groEL and hrcA-grpE-dnaK and those involved in the different stages of sporulation, which can help the bacteria to survive the high temperatures imposed by a desertic environment. We also observed the genetic components of the UvrABC system and additional mechanisms involved in DNA repair, which help overcome UV radiation damage. Other genes have been identified in the genome, like those coding for ectoine and proline, that aids fight osmotic stress and desiccation. Catalase thermostability investigation using molecular dynamics showed that the protein reached stability and conserved its compactness at temperatures up to 373.15 K. These results suggest a potential thermostability of the enzyme. Since the studied protein is a core protein, thermostability could be conserved among Paenibacillus sp. MDMC362 closely related strains; however, bacteria from harsh environments may have a slight advantage regarding protein stability.