Decomposition of actinomycin by a soil organism

Biosynthesis of the actinomycin chromophore: incorporation of 3-hydroxy-4-methylanthranilic acid into actinomycins by Streptomyces antibioticus

Actinomycin synthesis by washed mycelia of Streptomyces antibioticus has been conducted in the presence of 3-hydroxy-4-methylanthranilate-(carboxyl-(14)C). Incorporation of this compound into actinomycins has been observed, which constitutes further evidence that 3-hydroxy-4-methylanthranilate is an intermediate in actinomycin biosynthesis. The position of the incorporated label has been determined to be within the actinomycin chromophore, and the label appears to be equally distributed between both halves of the chromophore. Incidental to these findings was the observation that the (14)C-labeled actinomycins were subject to rapid reabsorption by the organism with actinomycin V taken up preferentially to actinomycin IV.

MICROBIOLOGICAL DEGRADATION OF TETRACYCLINES

Meyers, Edward (Squibb Institute for Medical Research, New Brunswick, N.J.) and Dorothy A. Smith . Microbiological degradation of tetracyclines. J. Bacteriol. 84: 797–802. 1962—The degradation of tetracyclines by an ascomycete, Xylaria digitata , was demonstrated. Washedcell suspensions were capable of degrading tetracycline, 5-hydroxytetracycline, 7-chlortetracycline, 7-chlor-6-demethyltetracycline, 2-acetyl-2-decarboxamido-5-hydroxytetracycline, and 12-α-deoxytetracycline. The influence of environmental conditions upon the degradation of tetracycline was investigated. A nonantibacterial, nonfluorescent product was located from the degradation of 14 C 5-hydroxytetracycline. Evidence indicated that neither the A nor D ring of 5-hydroxytetracycline is attacked. Acetone powders, lyophilized powders, and cell-free extracts exhibited a relatively limited substrate specificity compared to the washed cells.