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The whole genome sequence of Rhodopirellula baltica SH1T, published nearly 10 years ago, already revealed a high amount of sulfatase genes. So far, little is known about the diversity and potential functions mediated by sulfatases in Planctomycetes. We combined in vivo and in silico techniques to gain insights into the ecophysiology of planktomycetal sulfatases. Comparative genomics of nine recently sequenced Rhodopirellula strains detected 1120 open reading frames annotated as sulfatases (Enzyme Commission number (EC) 3.1.6.*). These were clustered into 173 groups of orthologous and paralogous genes. To analyze the functional aspects, 708 sulfatase protein sequences from these strains were aligned with 67 sulfatase reference sequences of reviewed functionality. Our analysis yielded 22 major similarity clusters, but only five of these clusters contained Rhodopirellula sequences homologous to reference sequences, indicating a surprisingly high diversity. Exemplarily, R. baltica SH1T was grown on different sulfated polysaccharides, chondroitin sulfate, λ-carrageenan and fucoidan. Subsequent gene expression analyses using whole genome microarrays revealed distinct sulfatase expression profiles based on substrates tested. This might be indicative for a high structural diversity of sulfated polysaccharides as potential substrates. The pattern of sulfatases in individual planctomycete species may reflect ecological niche adaptation.

The genome of Rhodopirellula rubra strain SWK7 was sequenced as a permanent draft to complement the full genome sequence of the type strain Rhodopirellula baltica SH1 T . This isolate is part of a larger study to infer the biogeography of Rhodopirellula species in European marine waters, as well as to amend the genus description of R. baltica . This genomics resource article is the fourth among a series of five publications reporting in a total of eight new permanent draft genomes of Rhodopirellula species.

The genomes of two Rhodopirellula europaea strains were sequenced as permanent drafts to study the genomic diversity within this genus, especially in comparison with the closed genome of the type strain Rhodopirellula baltica SH1(T). The isolates are part of a larger study to infer the biogeography of Rhodopirellula species in European marine waters, as well as to amend the genus description of R. baltica. This genomics resource article is the second of a series of five publications describing a total of eight new permanent daft genomes of Rhodopirellula species.

The genomes of three Rhodopirellula baltica strains were sequenced as permanent drafts to complement the full genome sequence of the type strain R. baltica SH1 T . The isolates are part of a larger study to infer the biogeography of Rhodopirellula species in European marine waters, as well as to amend the genus description of R. baltica . This genomics resource article is the first of a series of five publications reporting in total eight new permanent daft genomes of Rhodopirellula species.

The genome of Rhodopirellula sallentina SM41 was sequenced as a permanent draft to supplement the full genome sequence of the type strain Rhodopirellula baltica SH1(T). This isolate is part of a larger study to gain insights into the biogeography of Rhodopirellula species in European marine waters, as well as to amend the genus description of R. baltica. This genomics resource article is the third of a series of five publications reporting in total eight new permanent daft genomes of Rhodopirellula species.