A compilation of histidine kinase genes in Enterobacter hormaechei strain HCF3 isolated from the North West Province of South Africa

Abstract

<ns4:p>This study investigates the histidine kinase (HK) gene repertoire of <ns4:italic>Enterobacter hormaechei</ns4:italic> strain HCF3, isolated from fresh cow dung in Mogosane Village, Northwest Province, South Africa. Histidine kinases are critical components of bacterial two-component signal transduction systems, enabling bacteria to sense and adapt to diverse environmental conditions. Given the growing concern over antimicrobial resistance (AMR) associated with <ns4:italic>E. hormaechei</ns4:italic>, this research elucidates the genetic components that facilitate its environmental adaptability. After isolating the strain, genomic sequencing using Illumina technology, resulting in high-quality sequence data, was conducted. The assembled genome was meticulously annotated and deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) under BioProject number PRJNA991313, with additional accession numbers for raw reads (JAUOLV000000000.1) and BioSample (SAMN36292742). Histidine kinase genes were identified based on conserved domains, particularly HisKA and HATPase. This led to compiling a comprehensive HK gene catalogue with locus tags, protein accession numbers, and functional annotations. To validate the HK gene set of <ns4:italic>E. hormaechei</ns4:italic> HCF3, we conducted a rigorous comparative analysis with other strains. This revealed that strain HCF1 contains 21 histidine kinase genes, HCF2 has 25, while HCF4 has 19. These findings underscore the diversity and conservation of HK genes across different Enterobacter species, providing a new perspective on their evolutionary significance. The assembled dataset provides valuable insights into the signalling pathways of <ns4:italic>E. hormaechei</ns4:italic>, highlighting the potential roles of HKs in environmental sensing, adaptation, and pathogenicity. Furthermore, this research lays the groundwork for future studies on the applications of these genes in agriculture and biotechnology, offering new avenues for understanding and managing <ns4:italic>E. hormaechei</ns4:italic> in various ecological contexts.</ns4:p>