Streptomycin-sensitivity in Streptomyces glaucescens is due to deletions comprising the structural gene coding for a specific phosphotransferase.
The wild type strain of Streptomyces glaucescens produces hydroxystreptomycin and has a natural resistance towards the streptomycin group aminoglycoside antibiotics. The inherent resistance is a genetically unstable character and mutant strains sensitive to streptomycins arise spontaneously at unusually high frequencies. The gene conferring streptomycin resistance was cloned and characterised as a streptomycin specific phosphotransferase. Hybridisation experiments show that the mutational event leading to sensitivity is due to large deletions, most likely on the chromosome, comprehending the structural gene coding for a streptomycin phosphotransferase and its flanking regions. Interspecific expression of the S. glaucescens phosphotransferase was found in Streptomyces lividans as well as in Escherichia coli.
D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D005796:Genes; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D005838:Genotype; D010770:Phosphotransferases / Q000235:genetics*; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); D010957:Plasmids; D013045:Species Specificity; D013302:Streptomyces / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D013307:Streptomycin / Q000633:toxicity*
D010770:Phosphotransferases; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); C022679:streptomycin 3''-kinase; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D013307:Streptomycin