Intergenus protoplast fusion between Streptomyces and Micromonospora with reference to the distribution of parental characteristics in the fusants.
The protoplasts of two strains of Micromonospora which were sensitive to kanamycin (KM(s)) and utilized raffinose (Raf+), and one strain of Streptomyces griseus which was resistant to KM (KM(r)) and did not utilize raffinose (Raf-), were prepared, mixed in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and incubated on regeneration agar plates. Recombinant colonies showing KM(r)*Raf+ were obtained at a frequency of 2 x 10(-6). Their recombinants displayed a significant exchange of taxonomic characteristics between the two genera, although the majority appeared similar to the parent Micromonospora in their morphology as well as growth at 40 degrees C. Their patterns of utilization of carbohydrates, amino acids and diammonium hydrogenphosphate were different from those of the Micromonospora. Intermediate or novel types which different from their parents in their tolerance to NaCl and sensitivity to aminoglycoside antibiotics were also observed. Out of the 31 fusants obtained, two showed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis PCI 219, without any activity against Escherichia coli K-12 or Candida albicans 3147. The active substance may be a newly formed antibiotic, different from streptomycin in S. griseus.
Imada
C
C
Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0021, Japan.
Okanishi
M
M
Okami
Y
Y