title: PCR screening reveals unexpected antibiotic biosynthetic potential in Amycolatopsis sp. strain UM16.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the antibiotic biosynthetic potential of Amycolatopsis sp. strain UM16 and eight other Amycolatopsis species.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Amycolatopsis genomic DNA was screened by PCR for the glycopeptide, Type-II (aromatic) polyketide and ansamycin biosynthetic gene clusters. Amycolatopsis sp. strain UM16, which exhibits weak antitubercular activity, was shown to have the glycopeptide oxyB gene and the Type-II (aromatic) polyketide-synthase KSalpha-KSbeta tandem gene pair, but not the AHBA synthase gene. The ristocetin (glycopeptide) producer, Amycolatopsis lurida NRRL 2430(T), was shown to have the oxyB gene and the Type-II polyketide-synthase KSalpha-KSbeta tandem gene pair. Amycolatopsis alba NRRL 18532(T) was shown to have the glycopeptide oxyB gene and the AHBA synthase gene. Phylogenetic analyses using Amycolatopsis oxyB and KSalpha-KSbeta gene sequences were conducted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Amycolatopsis sp. strain UM16 appears to have the biosynthetic potential to produce glycopeptide and Type-II polyketide antibiotics, but not ansamycins. The potential to synthesize aromatic polyketides may be more widely distributed in Amycolatopsis than is currently recognized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCR screening is a very useful tool for rapidly identifying the biosynthetic potential of an antibiotic-producing actinomycete isolate. Advanced knowledge of the type of antibiotic(s) produced will allow appropriate methods to be selected for antibiotic purification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag 1, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Le Roes
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Meyers
mesh_terms: D039903:Actinobacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D006020:Glycopeptides / Q000235:genetics; D006836:Hydro-Lyases / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000254:growth & development; D010802:Phylogeny; D048630:Polyketide Synthases / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000235:genetics; D012310:Ristocetin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000098825:Oxysterol Binding Proteins
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D006020:Glycopeptides; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D000098825:Oxysterol Binding Proteins; D012310:Ristocetin; D048630:Polyketide Synthases; C111160:3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid synthase; D006836:Hydro-Lyases