PCR screening reveals unexpected antibiotic biosynthetic potential in Amycolatopsis sp. strain UM16.
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.
Wood
S A
SA
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag 1, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa.
Kirby
B M
BM
Goodwin
C M
CM
Le Roes
M
M
Meyers
P R
PR
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
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