Computational Functional Annotation and Structural Modeling of Hypothetical Proteins in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia NCTC10958

Antimicrobial resistance represents a significant global health challenge, specifically concerning the escalation of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia has emerged as a prevalent pathogen affecting immunocompromised patients in intensive care units. Its incidence has notably increased, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, complicated by resistance mechanisms such as enzymatic degradation and biofilm formation. Despite its clinical importance, the functional roles of many genomic regions remain obscure. This study aimed to characterize 61 hypothetical proteins (HPs) from S. maltophilia NCTC10958 to elucidate their involvement in virulence and adaptation. Functional annotation revealed that a significant proportion of these proteins are membrane-associated enzymes and transporters essential for environmental adaptation. Key findings include the identification of putative virulence factors involved in biofilm formation and motility, such as Phosphoglycerate mutase and Type IV pilus assembly proteins. Crucially, the analysis uncovered potential antimicrobial resistance determinants, including a metallo-β-lactamase and an MmpL family transporter, suggesting novel efflux mechanisms. Structural modeling validated high-confidence tertiary structures for these targets, confirming their biological feasibility. These insights provide a foundation for understanding the pathogenicity of S. maltophilia NCTC10958 and highlight specific HPs as promising candidates for therapeutic intervention.