Sequence analysis of nonulosonic acid biosynthetic gene clusters in Vibrionaceae and Moritella viscosa

Abstract

Nonulosonic acid (NulO) biosynthesis in bacteria is directed by <i>nab</i> gene clusters that can lead to neuraminic, legionaminic or pseudaminic acids. Analysis of the gene content from a set mainly composed of <i>Aliivibrio salmonicida</i> and <i>Moritella viscosa</i> strains reveals the existence of several unique nab clusters, for which the NulO products were predicted. This prediction method can be used to guide tandem mass spectrometry studies in order to verify the products of previously undescribed <i>nab</i> clusters and identify new members of the NulOs family.