Whole Genome Sequencing of Enterococcus faecalis Isolated from Stool Sample of a Postmenopausal Women with Breast Cancer Patient in Malaysia

Breast cancer stands as a formidable and prevalent cause of mortality among women in Malaysia, prompting rigorous research into potential contributors to its development. Given the well-established association between gut microbiota and various forms of cancer, a particular focus has been placed on exploring the role of Enterococcus in breast cancer pathogenesis. Several studies have identified Enterococcus as a significant component of the estrobolome, the collection of gut microbiota involved in the metabolism of estrogens. This association has garnered attention due to its potential link to breast cancer. The estrobolome's role in modulating estrogen levels in the body suggests that Enterococcus could influence breast cancer risk by affecting estrogen homeostasis. Thus, this study endeavours to unravel the potential implications of Enterococcus faecalis in breast cancer by delving into its genome and decoding gene functions through bioinformatics analysis. Whole genome sequencing emerged as the methodological linchpin, revealing a distinctive gene expression profile within Enterococcus faecalis. The size of draft genome sequenced was found to be 2.8Mb, with a GC content of 37.7%, and 4430 protein coding sequences were detected within the genome. Notably, the bacterium sequence subjected to gene annotation exhibited an expression of β-glucosidase, an enzyme intricately involved in the deconjugation of estrogen. While these findings underscore the plausible contribution of Enterococcus faecalis to breast cancer, a considerable knowledge gap persists regarding the genetic variations within specific strains of this bacterium. As such, a more nuanced and comprehensive exploration is warranted to bridge this existing gap in our understanding.