Characterization of the biosynthesis gene cluster for the pyrrole polyether antibiotic calcimycin (A23187) in Streptomyces chartreusis NRRL 3882

Genome sequences of three tunicamycin-producing Streptomyces Strains, S. chartreusis NRRL 12338, S. chartreusis NRRL 3882, and S. lysosuperificus ATCC 31396

We announce the sequencing of Streptomyces chartreusis NRRL 12338 and NRRL 3882 and Streptomyces lysosuperificus ATCC 31396. These are producers of tunicamycins, chartreusins, cephalosporins, holomycins, and calcimycin. The announced genomes, together with the published Streptomyces clavuligerus genome, will facilitate data mining of these secondary metabolites.

Toward steadfast growth of antibiotic research in China: from natural products to engineered biosynthesis

Antibiotics are widely used for clinical treatment and preventing or curing diseases in agriculture. Cloning and studies of their biosynthetic gene clusters are vital for yield enhancement and engineering new derivatives with new and prominent activities. In recent years, research in this aspect is impressively active in China. This article reviews biosynthetic progress on 28 antibiotics, including polyketides, nonribosomal peptides, hybrid polyketide-nonribosomal peptides, peptidyl nucleoside, nucleoside, and others. Their biosynthetic mechanisms were disclosed, and their derivatives with new structures/activities were obtained by gene inactivation, mutasynthesis and combinatorial biosynthesis.