title: Biosynthesis of nearly monodispersed poly(epsilon-L-lysine) in Streptomyces species.
abstract: Poly(epsilon-L-lysine) (epsilon-PL) is a naturally occurring poly(amino acid) characterized by a unique structure linking epsilon-amino and carboxyl groups of L-lysine. Due to its various functions and its biodegradability and non-toxicity, the epsilon-PL polymer has attracted increasing attention in recent years. epsilon-PL is frequently found in various strains of Streptomyces sp. This review gives an up-to-date overview regarding the biosynthesis of epsilon-PL focussing mainly on results obtained from ten newly isolated producer strains, using the two-stage culture method of cell growth and epsilon-PL production cultures. The production of nearly monodispersed epsilon-PL is covered together with the development of epsilon-PL specific hydrolases and the release of synthesized epsilon-PL into the culture broth. From these results, coupled with the termination of polymerization through nucleophilic chain transfer, the biosynthetic mechanism of the polymer is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science, University of Shiga Prefecture, Hassaka, Hikone, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saimura
authors.forename: Munenori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takehara
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mizukami
authors.forename: Kazuma
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kataoka
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hirohara
mesh_terms: D003470:Culture Media; D005285:Fermentation; D006867:Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011107:Polylysine / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013302:Streptomyces / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D011107:Polylysine; D006867:Hydrolases