title: Secondary metabolism in simulated microgravity: beta-lactam production by Streptomyces clavuligerus.
abstract: Rotating bioreactors designed at NASA's Johnson Space Center were used to simulate a microgravity environment in which to study secondary metabolism. The system examined was beta-lactam antibiotic production by Streptomyces clavuligerus. Both growth and beta-lactam production occurred in simulated microgravity. Stimulatory effects of phosphate and L-lysine, previously detected in normal gravity, also occurred in simulated microgravity. The degree of beta-lactam antibiotic production was markedly inhibited by simulated microgravity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Pierson
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Koenig
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Demain
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019149:Bioreactors; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005285:Fermentation; D018470:Gravity, Altered / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008239:Lysine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010710:Phosphates / Q000494:pharmacology; D018561:Space Simulation; D013302:Streptomyces / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014481:United States; D018557:United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D010710:Phosphates; D008239:Lysine