Premium
PCR screening reveals unexpected antibiotic biosynthetic potential in Amycolatopsis sp. strain UM16
Author(s) -
Wood S.A.,
Kirby B.M.,
Goodwin C.M.,
Le Roes M.,
Meyers P.R.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2006.03043.x
Subject(s) - antibiotics , strain (injury) , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , bacteria , genetics , anatomy
Aims: To assess the antibiotic biosynthetic potential of Amycolatopsis sp. strain UM16 and eight other Amycolatopsis species. Methods and Results: Amycolatopsis genomic DNA was screened by PCR for the glycopeptide, Type‐II (aromatic) polyketide and ansamycin biosynthetic gene clusters. Amycolatopsis sp. strain UM16, which exhibits weak antitubercular activity, was shown to have the glycopeptide oxyB gene and the Type‐II (aromatic) polyketide‐synthase KS α ‐KS β tandem gene pair, but not the AHBA synthase gene. The ristocetin (glycopeptide) producer, Amycolatopsis lurida NRRL 2430 T , was shown to have the oxyB gene and the Type‐II polyketide‐synthase KS α ‐KS β tandem gene pair. Amycolatopsis alba NRRL 18532 T was shown to have the glycopeptide oxyB gene and the AHBA synthase gene. Phylogenetic analyses using Amycolatopsis oxyB and KS α ‐KS β gene sequences were conducted. Conclusions: Amycolatopsis sp. strain UM16 appears to have the biosynthetic potential to produce glycopeptide and Type‐II polyketide antibiotics, but not ansamycins. The potential to synthesize aromatic polyketides may be more widely distributed in Amycolatopsis than is currently recognized. Significance and Impact of the Study: PCR screening is a very useful tool for rapidly identifying the biosynthetic potential of an antibiotic‐producing actinomycete isolate. Advanced knowledge of the type of antibiotic(s) produced will allow appropriate methods to be selected for antibiotic purification.