Antibiotic synthesis and morphological differentiation of Cephalosporium acremonium.
In submerged cultures, Cephalosporium acremonium exists in four morphological forms: hyphae, arthrospores, conidia, and germlings. The phase of hyphal differentiation into arthrospores coincides with the maximum rate of beta-lactam antibiotic synthesis. Furthermore, arthrospores, separated by density-gradient centrifugation, possess 40% greater antibiotic-producing activity than any other morphological cell type. In a series of mutants, each with an increased potential to produce beta-lactam antibiotics, differentiation into arthrospores was proportional to the increased titer of these antibiotics. Thus, arthrospores exhibit enhanced synthesis of beta-lactam antibiotics and appear to be a determining factor in high-yielding mutants. Since a non-antibiotic-producing mutant readily differentiated into arthrospores, antibiotic synthesis and cellular differentiation are not obligately related.
D000164:Acremonium / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D001681:Biological Assay; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002848:Chromatography, DEAE-Cellulose; D003470:Culture Media; D005827:Genetics, Microbial; D009154:Mutation; D010406:Penicillins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012475:Salmonella / Q000187:drug effects; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013395:Sucrose; D014633:Valine / Q000378:metabolism
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002511:Cephalosporins; D003470:Culture Media; D010406:Penicillins; D013395:Sucrose; D014633:Valine