Complete genome sequencing for Methylosinus sp. C49

Methylosinus sp. C49 belonging to methane oxidizing bacteria (MOB) was isolated from paddy soil where high flux of methane is emitting from the underground. Methane is known as second abundant global warming gas and has more than 20 times higher global warming potential than that of carbon dioxide. MOB capable of assimilating methane as their sole carbon source does not only have a lot of attention to reduce methane, but also can be possible producers of one of valuable products such as polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). MOB are mainly divided into Type I and Type II depending on their distinct and fastidious metabolic pathways. Type II MOB including Methylosinus sp., known as producers of PHA, are accumulated by semi-batch incubation and subsequent dilution-extinction culturing without adding carbon and nitrogen source in the medium isolated Methylosinus sp. C49. Complete genome of Methylosinus sp. C49 revealed that the isolate harbor phaABC functional genes related to PHA biosynthesis. Methylosinus sp. C49, a possible candidate for producing PHA with assimilating global warming gas, methane, needs further research aiming at actual future production of PHA.