Pediococcus acidilactici WSP-AZM23: Genomic Insights, In Vitro Probiotic Potential, and Computational Analysis for Biotherapeutic Applications
摘要
Probiotics are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential and health-promoting properties. This study characterized a novel probiotic strain, WSP-AZM23, isolated from Etawa goat milk. Molecular identification assigned the strain to Pediococcus acidilactici. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a single circular chromosome of 2,007,629 bp. Genome annotation confirmed the absence of virulence-associated determinants and identified genes linked to probiotic functionality, including acid and bile salt tolerance, extracellular protease production, type III polyketide synthase (T3PKS)-related proteins, auto-aggregation capacity, and biosynthetic pathways for secondary metabolites with predicted antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities. The genome also contains type II CRISPR-associated genes (csn2, cas1, cas2, and cas9), indicating adaptive immune defense systems. Molecular docking analysis supported the predicted bioactivities of selected metabolites against relevant therapeutic targets. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4; PDB ID: 5O0X), anti-inflammatory potential using cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2; PDB ID: 6BL4), and antidiabetic activity using human intestinal α-glucosidase (PDB ID: 3W37), a key enzyme in postprandial carbohydrate digestion. The occurrence of P. acidilactici strain WSP-AZM23 in sourdough and local dairy products further supports its ecological adaptability and potential application as a candidate biotherapeutic strain.
Graphical Abstract