Determination of the transcription unit landscape and associated regulatory elements in Methylosinus sporium 5

Abstract

Methanotrophic bacteria offer a sustainable solution for converting methane into valuable products. However, the molecular mechanisms governing gene expression regulation in methanotrophs remain poorly understood. In this study, we applied high-throughput sequencing approaches to elucidate gene organization and transcriptional regulation in Methylosinus sporium 5 during growth on methane. By identifying key regulatory features including promoter sequences, diverse cis -regulatory elements, and transcript boundaries, we revealed the coordinated gene expression mechanisms in this organism. This represents the first genome-wide transcriptome architecture in a methanotrophic bacterium. The regulatory elements provide a valuable resource for future genetic engineering of M. sporium 5 and related methanotrophs. Our findings significantly advance the understanding of gene regulation in methanotrophs and support their development as microbial platforms for methane-based biomanufacturing.