Complete genome sequence of Flavobacterium kingsejongi WV39, a type species of the genus Flavobacterium and a microbial C40 carotenoid zeaxanthin producer

A novel species, Flavobacterium kingsejongi WV39, isolated from feces of Antarctic penguins and a type species of the genus Flavobacterium, is yellow because it synthesizes a C40 carotenoid zeaxanthin. The complete genome of F. kingsejongi WV39 is made up of a single circular chromosome (4,224,053 bp, 39.8% G + C content). Annotation analysis revealed 3,955 coding sequences, 72 RNAs (18 rRNA + 54 tRNA), and five genes involved in zeaxanthin biosynthesis. The key gene encoding β-carotenoid hydroxylase (CrtZ), which is the last enzyme in the zeaxanthin biosynthetic pathway, was cloned and subjected to complementary analysis in a heterologous E. coli strain. The CrtZ of F. kingsejongi WV39 showed a higher activity than other reported CrtZs.