Bioinformatic identification of abiotic stress tolerance genes in actinomycetes isolated from Lomas Cerro Campana, Peru

Actinomycetes from arid environments are an important source of genes associated with abiotic stress adaptation and of biotechnological interest; in this context, the study aimed to genetically characterize strains isolated from the Lomas Cerro Campana ACP (Peru) to identify factors associated with tolerance to salinity, temperature, and pH, with potential applications in bio-inputs for degraded soils. Methods Rhizosphere soil samples were collected at four locations within the ACP; Streptomyces strains were isolated and their growth was evaluated under different temperatures, pH levels, and NaCl concentrations; Additionally, the genomes were sequenced and assembled, their quality was assessed, they were functionally annotated using Prokka and eggNOG-mapper, and taxonomic identification was performed using dDDH/GBDP. Results All four strains grew within a pH range of 4–10, with optimal growth occurring between pH 6 and 8, and showed limited tolerance to high salinity, with best growth observed at low or zero NaCl concentrations; P9.2 exhibited the best overall performance under varying temperature and pH conditions, while P2.1 and Q3.3 were confirmed as known species of the genus Streptomyces , and P9.2 and Q6.2 showed dDDH values below the species threshold. The functional profile revealed genes and categories associated with thermal adaptation and proteostasis, pH homeostasis and ion flux, and osmotic tolerance and structural integrity, with P2.1 standing out for its high concentration of genes involved in replication and repair, and Q6.2 showing a strong association with energy production for the maintenance of electrochemical gradients. Conclusions The results demonstrate that the strains isolated from Lomas Cerro Campana possess a genetic and functional basis consistent with their tolerance to extreme abiotic conditions, with P9.2 standing out for its superior overall phenotypic performance and P9. 2/Q6.2 for its taxonomic uniqueness, which supports its value as a promising biotechnological resource for soil restoration and agricultural strategies in the context of climate change.