Exploring the Genomic and Morphological Characteristics of Knufia obscura from the Mars 2020 Mission

Genomic and Morphological Characterization

Members of the family Trichomeriaceae, belonging to the order Chaetothyriales and the phylum Ascomycota, are recognized for their ability to thrive in extreme environments, characterized by extreme temperatures, poor nutrient availability, drought, and toxic compounds.

Isolation of Knufia obscura

The genus Knufia includes many polyextremophilic species. This study presents the genomic and morphological features of strain FJI-L2-BK-P2, isolated from the Mars 2020 mission spacecraft assembly facility at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

Methodology

• Identification through sequence alignment for marker genes.
• Multi-locus sequence analysis.
• Whole genome sequence phylogeny.

The morphological analysis utilized a variety of microscopic techniques, including bright field, phase contrast, differential interference contrast, and scanning electron microscopy.

Results and Findings

The phylogenetic marker genes of strain FJI-L2-BK-P2 exhibited the highest similarities to the type strain of Knufia obscura (CBS 148926T), which was isolated from a car gas tank in Italy. To validate the species identity, whole genomes of both strains were sequenced and annotated. The identification of strain FJI-L2-BK-P2 as K. obscura was confirmed.

Conclusion

The morphological analysis and genomic characterization of K. obscura FJI-L2-BK-P2 contribute to refining the taxonomy of *Knufia* species. Notable morphological features include structures that resemble microsclerotia and chlamydospore-like propagules, which are essential for adaptation to harsh environments.