@ARTICLE{Archana_Kujur2026-yl,
  title     = "Genomic and functional insights into aromatic compound
               degradation by Delftia strain {PS-11} isolated from freshwater
               pufferfish",
  author    = "Archana Kujur, Ritu Rani and Deb, Sushanta and Debnath, Tanmoy
               and Papade, Sandesh and Phale, Prashant S and Das, Subrata K",
  abstract  = "This study describes the functional genomic features and
               aromatic compound degradation potential of Delftia strain PS-11,
               isolated from the skin mucus of a freshwater pufferfish
               (Tetraodon cutcutia). Whole-genome sequence analysis of strain
               PS-11 revealed genetic attributes associated with species
               distinctiveness. The overall genome-relatedness indices, such as
               in silico DNA-DNA hybridization, are below 70\%, and average
               nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity were below
               the threshold value, that is, 95\% to 96\%, respectively.
               Phylogenomic analysis based on genome-wide core genes showed
               that strain PS-11 clustered with Delftia acidovorans NBRC
               14950T. Furthermore, genome analysis identified multiple gene
               clusters involved in the degradation of aromatic compounds,
               including phenol, benzoic acid, and hydroxybenzoic acid. We
               determined the specific activities of key metabolic enzymes in
               cell-free extracts, including catechol-1,2-dioxygenase,
               catechol-2,3-dioxygenase, protocatechuic acid 4,5-dioxygenase,
               and gentisate 1,2-dioxygenase. To our knowledge, the presence of
               Delftia strains associated with pufferfish has not been reported
               previously. These findings suggest that members of this genus
               occupy a broader and more diverse range of ecological habitats
               than previously recognized and may play a potential role in the
               remediation of aromatic pollutants.IMPORTANCEDelftia strain
               PS-11 described in this study associated with freshwater
               pufferfish skin is capable of degrading aromatic compounds. Gene
               clusters in the form of operons involved in degradation of
               phenol, benzoic acid, and hydroxybenzoic acid were present.
               Enzymatic studies support the proposed degradation pathways. Our
               study suggests that the presence of xenobiotics-degrading
               Delftia strain in the skin of pufferfish adds a new ecological
               niche to this bacteria. The observed metabolic pathway in the
               degradation of aromatic compounds indicates niche-specific
               adaptive evolution for this bacterium.",
  journal   = "Microbiol. Spectr.",
  publisher = "American Society for Microbiology",
  volume    =  14,
  number    =  5,
  pages     = "e0310525",
  month     =  apr,
  year      =  2026,
  keywords  = "Delftia strain PS-11; biodegradation; pathway assembly;
               phylogenomic analysis; pufferfish; xenobiotics",
  copyright = "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  language  = "en"
}