Multi-omics analysis revealed the aromatic compound metabolism in marine Roseobacter clade

Here, we selected Roseovarius nubinhibens as the model organism to comprehensively interrogate aromatic compound metabolism in marine Roseobacter clade. First, we preliminarily elucidated the three distinct mechanisms of aromatic compound transmembrane transport in R. nubinhibens. By integrating multi-omics analysis with genetic perturbation techniques, we successfully identified and experimentally validated the previously unidentified genes (pcaB, pcaI and pcaJ) in the β-ketoadipate pathway. Furthermore, we uncovered genetic crosstalk between the β-ketoadipate and β-oxidation pathways. This study represents the first complete elucidation of the β-ketoadipate pathway in marine Roseobacter clade bacteria. We believe that our findings will advance the potential of marine microbes in geochemical element cycling, pollutant degradation and the sustainable exploitation of marine resources.