title: Distribution of beta-lactam and beta-lactone producing bacteria in nature.
abstract: Over one million bacteria were isolated from a large variety of soil, plant and water samples collected from different environments and examined in an extremely sensitive and highly specific screen for beta-lactam production. A group of seven related monocyclic beta-lactams (monobactams) were isolated from strains representing four genera-Agrobacterium, Chromobacterium, Gluconobacter and Pseudomonas. Monobactam-producing strains of Agrobacterium and Pseudomonas were isolated only rarely. Producing strains of Chromobacterium were isolated from a relatively limited number of habitats while the Gluconobacter strains appeared to be widespread in nature. In addition, three closely related beta-lactone-containing molecules were isolated from strains representing three genera-Arthrobacter, Bacillus and Pseudomonas. The Bacillus and Pseudomonas strains were isolated infrequently but from a variety of samples. The producing strain of Arthrobacter was isolated only once.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D007783:Lactones / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010944:Plants / Q000382:microbiology; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D014871:Water Microbiology; D047090:beta-Lactams
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007783:Lactones; D047090:beta-Lactams