<i>In silico</i> analysis of secreted proteins via Sec- and Tat-pathways of <i>Clavibacter</i> spp. unravels functional diversity related to plant host range

<i>Clavibacter</i> genus comprises phytopathogenic and nonphytopathogenic species in a range of plant hosts. We applied structural and functional approaches for comparative genomics to unveil the adaptation of <i>Clavibacter</i> to plant hosts. The structural approach consisted of phylogeny and whole-genome alignment. The phylogeny suggested that <i>Clavibacter tessallarius, Clavibacter zhangzhiyongii, Clavibacter capcisi, Clavibacter phaseoli</i> depicted the more divergent species. Notably, <i>Clavibacter nebraskensis, Clavibacter insidiosus, Clavibacter sepedonicus, Clavibacter</i> sp. A6099, <i>Clavibacter californiensis</i>, and <i>Clavibacter michiganensis</i> formed a recent monophyletic clade. A synteny degree and genome rearrangements were noted. The functional approach based on prediction-annotation of secreted proteins via Sec- and Tat-pathways, and the prediction of metabolite biosynthetic potential. Regarding to Sec- and Tat-secreted proteins, we focused on carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and expansins. The repertoire of secreted CAZymes exhibited variation related to taxonomy of <i>Clavibacter</i>. The predicted expansins harbored domain variability, related to horizontal gene transfer. A heterogeneous distribution-conservation of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) regarding <i>Clavibacter</i> phylogeny was observed. Our results suggested that farm practices of plant hosts likely influence the evolutive history of <i>Clavibacter</i> spp. Furthermore, Sec-, Tat-mediated secreted proteins and metabolite diversity may underpin plant-<i>Clavibacter</i> interactions. Biological knowledge drives sustainable strategies aimed to control plant diseases caused by <i>Clavibacter</i> spp.