Genome Sequence and Characterisation of Peribacillus sp. Strain AS_2, a Bacterial Endophyte Isolated from Alectra sessiliflora
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear authors the manuscript on Peribacillus sp. strain A_S2 bings important and very specific information related to this isolated strain.
The research carried out is important for the detection and analyses of new strains isolated from medicinal plants and for future researches and applications.
The manuscript is well organized, all the tests are explicit and the results presented in an appropriate form.
Sections of the manuscript are balanced, with an appropriate dimension.
Overall, the manuscript is a good research report, with a clear aim and the entire research was conducted well.
Author Response
The research carried out is important for the detection and analyses of new strains isolated from medicinal plants and for future researches and applications.
The manuscript is well organized, all the tests are explicit and the results presented in an appropriate form.
Sections of the manuscript are balanced, with an appropriate dimension.
Overall, the manuscript is a good research report, with a clear aim and the entire research was conducted well.
Reply: Thanks for the comments.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe manuscript entitled “Genome Sequence and Characterization of Peribacillus sp. Strain AS_2, a Bacterial Endophyte isolated from Alectra sessiliflora” investigated the genome sequencing and characterization of the leaf endophytic bacterium, Peribacillus sp. AS_2, isolated from the medicinal plant Alectra sessiliflora, using the Illumina MiSeq instrument v3 and the NextEra DNA library preparation kit (Illumina, USA). Through whole genome sequencing and genomic digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) revealed a similarity between strain AS_2 and Peribacillus frigoritolerans DSM 8801T, and with P. castrilensis N3T. Analysis showed that strain AS_2 also harbored genes associated with an endophytic lifestyle and other biological functions.
Comments:
Sentences should be added to Verify the rationale behind the selection of bacterial strain of Peribacillus sp. Strain AS_2.
Details on the evaluation of the depth and coverage of sequencing should be stated to ensure sufficient data quality.
Methods to examine the quality control applied to the genomic data and checking for potential contamination, artifacts, or errors in the sequencing data need to be mentioned.
Discussion should focus on how well the study characterizes important genomic features (e.g., antibiotic resistance genes, biodegradation genes, endophytic life style).
Verify if the functional annotation provides insights into the biological significance of the genomic elements.
Evaluation the approach of comparative genomics for multiple bacterial species is required to identify genomic variations, similarities, and differences among the analyzed species.
Check journal template style, it should be for Microbiology Research not for Microorganisms.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageMinor editing of English language required
Author Response
Comments from reviewer 1:
- Sentences should be added to Verify the rationale behind the selection of bacterial strain of Peribacillus Strain AS_2
Reply: Thanks for the comment.
According to the kind suggestion from you, a sentence verifying the rationale behind the selection of the strain has been added.
- Details on the evaluation of the depth and coverage of sequencing should be stated to ensure sufficient data quality.
Reply: Thanks for the comment.
We have added a sentence detailing the genome coverage of the sequencing.
- Methods to examine the quality control applied to the genomic data and checking for potential contamination, artifacts, or errors in the sequencing data need to be mentioned.
Reply: Thanks for the comment
According to the kind suggestion, methods used to examine the genome completeness and contamination have been added.
- Discussion should focus on how well the study characterizes important genomic features (e.g., antibiotic resistance genes, biodegradation genes, endophytic life style).
Reply: Thanks for the comment. Genes related to biodegradation have been added and discussed.
- Verify if the functional annotation provides insights into the biological significance of the genomic elements.
Reply: Thanks for the comment. Insights into the biological importance of the genomic elements have been verified.
- Evaluation the approach of comparative genomics for multiple bacterial species is required to identify genomic variations, similarities, and differences among the analyzed species.
Reply: Thanks for the comment. The ANI values and dDDH values were used to identify genomic variations of strain AS_2 with closely related species.
- Check journal template style, it should be for Microbiology Research not for Microorganisms.
Reply: Thanks for the comment. Journal template changed to Microbiology Research template.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe manuscript was improved and the authors adressed most of my comments; howover, the authors should mention in their ansewer the line numbers where the changes were done.
Author Response
Dear Editor
We wish to thank you all for your constructive comments in this round of review. In the corrected document, we try to address the issues raised as best as possible. Below are corrections and additional work to the manuscript.
Comments from reviewer 1:
- Sentences should be added to Verify the rationale behind the selection of bacterial strain of Peribacillus Strain AS_2
Reply: Thanks for the comment.
According to the kind suggestion from you, a sentence verifying the rationale behind the selection of the strain has been added (Line 54-55).
- Details on the evaluation of the depth and coverage of sequencing should be stated to ensure sufficient data quality.
Reply: Thanks for the comment.
We have added a sentence detailing the genome coverage of the sequencing (line 125).
- Methods to examine the quality control applied to the genomic data and checking for potential contamination, artifacts, or errors in the sequencing data need to be mentioned.
Reply: Thanks for the comment
According to the kind suggestion, methods used to examine the genome completeness and contamination have been added (Line 132-134)
- Discussion should focus on how well the study characterizes important genomic features (e.g., antibiotic resistance genes, biodegradation genes, endophytic life style).
Reply: Thanks for the comment. Genes related to biodegradation have been added and discussed (Line 273).
- Verify if the functional annotation provides insights into the biological significance of the genomic elements.
Reply: Thanks for the comment. Insights into the biological importance of the genomic elements have been verified (161-163).
- Evaluation the approach of comparative genomics for multiple bacterial species is required to identify genomic variations, similarities, and differences among the analyzed species.
Reply: Thanks for the comment. The ANI values and dDDH values were used to identify genomic variations of strain AS_2 with closely related species (Line 139-141).
- Check journal template style, it should be for Microbiology Research not for Microorganisms.
Reply: Thanks for the comment. Journal template changed to Microbiology Research template.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
