New Insights into Molecular Basis Identification of Three Novel Strains of the Bacillus Subtilis Group Produce Cry Proteins Isolated from Soil Samples in Adana, Turkey

AimsThis study aimed to analyze the evolutionary relationship between Bacillus species isolated from agricultural soil using in-silico tools. Methods and ResultsAcross-sectional study was conducted in Adana province, in Turkey. A total of 120 Bacillus species were isolated from 80 soil samples. However, the phylogenetic tree diverged into two lineages; one belongs to B. subtilis group while the other belongs to B. cereus group. Interestingly, three native strains (SY27.1A, SY35.3A, and SY58.5A), which produce Cry proteins, shared high similarity with B. subtilis group (over 99%) and less than 95% similarity with known B. thuringiensis and other species of B. cereus group. Furthermore, 11 canonical SNPs (canSNPs) were identified in strains that belong to B. pumilus group when compared with B. subtilis reference sequences. ConclusionsPhylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequences was found valuable for differentiation between Bacillus species isolated from soil samples. In addition, SNPs analysis provided more intra-specific information in the cases of B. subtilis group. Significance and Impact of StudyA detailed analysis was provided for the SNPs present in a conserved region of 16S rRNA gene of Bacillus species. Also, we proposed three novel Bacillus strains that produce Cry proteins and belong to B. subtilis group.