Beyond Self-Resistance: ABCF ATPase LmrC Is a Signal-Transducing Component of an Antibiotic-Driven Signaling Cascade Accelerating the Onset of Lincomycin Biosynthesis

In natural environments, antibiotics are important means of interspecies competition. At subinhibitory concentrations, they act as cues or signals inducing antibiotic production; however, our knowledge of well-documented antibiotic-based sensing systems is limited. Here, for the soil actinobacterium Streptomyces lincolnensis, we describe a fundamentally new ribosome-mediated signaling cascade that accelerates the onset of lincomycin production in response to an external ribosome-targeting antibiotic to synchronize antibiotic production within the population. The entire cascade is encoded in the lincomycin biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) and consists of three lincomycin resistance proteins in addition to the transcriptional regulator LmbU: a lincomycin transporter (LmrA), a 23S rRNA methyltransferase (LmrB), both of which confer high resistance, and an ATP-binding cassette family F (ABCF) ATPase, LmrC, which confers only moderate resistance but is essential for antibiotic-induced signal transduction. Specifically, antibiotic sensing occurs via ribosome-mediated attenuation, which activates LmrC production in response to lincosamide, streptogramin A, or pleuromutilin antibiotics. Then, ATPase activity of the ribosome-associated LmrC triggers the transcription of lmbU and consequently the expression of lincomycin BGC. Finally, the production of LmrC is downregulated by LmrA and LmrB, which reduces the amount of ribosome-bound antibiotic and thus fine-tunes the cascade. We propose that analogous ABCF-mediated signaling systems are relatively common because many ribosome-targeting antibiotic BGCs encode an ABCF protein accompanied by additional resistance protein(s) and transcriptional regulators. Moreover, we revealed that three of the eight coproduced ABCF proteins of S. lincolnensis are clindamycin responsive, suggesting that the ABCF-mediated antibiotic signaling may be a widely utilized tool for chemical communication. IMPORTANCE Resistance proteins are perceived as mechanisms protecting bacteria from the inhibitory effect of their produced antibiotics or antibiotics from competitors. Here, we report that antibiotic resistance proteins regulate lincomycin biosynthesis in response to subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics. In particular, we show the dual character of the ABCF ATPase LmrC, which confers antibiotic resistance and simultaneously transduces a signal from ribosome-bound antibiotics to gene expression, where the 5' untranslated sequence upstream of its encoding gene functions as a primary antibiotic sensor. ABCF-mediated antibiotic signaling can in principle function not only in the induction of antibiotic biosynthesis but also in selective gene expression in response to any small molecules targeting the 50S ribosomal subunit, including clinically important antibiotics, to mediate intercellular antibiotic signaling and stress response induction. Moreover, the resistance-regulatory function of LmrC presented here for the first time unifies functionally inconsistent ABCF family members involving antibiotic resistance proteins and translational regulators.

Lincosamide synthetase--a unique condensation system combining elements of nonribosomal peptide synthetase and mycothiol metabolism

In the biosynthesis of lincosamide antibiotics lincomycin and celesticetin, the amino acid and amino sugar units are linked by an amide bond. The respective condensing enzyme lincosamide synthetase (LS) is expected to be an unusual system combining nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) components with so far unknown amino sugar related activities. The biosynthetic gene cluster of celesticetin was sequenced and compared to the lincomycin one revealing putative LS coding ORFs shared in both clusters. Based on a bioassay and production profiles of S. lincolnensis strains with individually deleted putative LS coding genes, the proteins LmbC, D, E, F and V were assigned to LS function. Moreover, the newly recognized N-terminal domain of LmbN (LmbN-CP) was also assigned to LS as a NRPS carrier protein (CP). Surprisingly, the homologous CP coding sequence in celesticetin cluster is part of ccbZ gene adjacent to ccbN, the counterpart of lmbN, suggesting the gene rearrangement, evident also from still active internal translation start in lmbN, and indicating the direction of lincosamide biosynthesis evolution. The in vitro test with LmbN-CP, LmbC and the newly identified S. lincolnensis phosphopantetheinyl transferase Slp, confirmed the cooperation of the previously characterized NRPS A-domain LmbC with a holo-LmbN-CP in activation of a 4-propyl-L-proline precursor of lincomycin. This result completed the functional characterization of LS subunits resembling NRPS initiation module. Two of the four remaining putative LS subunits, LmbE/CcbE and LmbV/CcbV, exhibit low but significant homology to enzymes from the metabolism of mycothiol, the NRPS-independent system processing the amino sugar and amino acid units. The functions of particular LS subunits as well as cooperation of both NRPS-based and NRPS-independent LS blocks are discussed. The described condensing enzyme represents a unique hybrid system with overall composition quite dissimilar to any other known enzyme system.

Adaptation of an L-proline adenylation domain to use 4-propyl-L-proline in the evolution of lincosamide biosynthesis

Clinically used lincosamide antibiotic lincomycin incorporates in its structure 4-propyl-L-proline (PPL), an unusual amino acid, while celesticetin, a less efficient related compound, makes use of proteinogenic L-proline. Biochemical characterization, as well as phylogenetic analysis and homology modelling combined with the molecular dynamics simulation were employed for complex comparative analysis of the orthologous protein pair LmbC and CcbC from the biosynthesis of lincomycin and celesticetin, respectively. The analysis proved the compared proteins to be the stand-alone adenylation domains strictly preferring their own natural substrate, PPL or L-proline. The LmbC substrate binding pocket is adapted to accomodate a rare PPL precursor. When compared with L-proline specific ones, several large amino acid residues were replaced by smaller ones opening a channel which allowed the alkyl side chain of PPL to be accommodated. One of the most important differences, that of the residue corresponding to V306 in CcbC changing to G308 in LmbC, was investigated in vitro and in silico. Moreover, the substrate binding pocket rearrangement also allowed LmbC to effectively adenylate 4-butyl-L-proline and 4-pentyl-L-proline, substrates with even longer alkyl side chains, producing more potent lincosamides. A shift of LmbC substrate specificity appears to be an integral part of biosynthetic pathway adaptation to the PPL acquisition. A set of genes presumably coding for the PPL biosynthesis is present in the lincomycin - but not in the celesticetin cluster; their homologs are found in biosynthetic clusters of some pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBD) and hormaomycin. Whereas in the PBD and hormaomycin pathways the arising precursors are condensed to another amino acid moiety, the LmbC protein is the first functionally proved part of a unique condensation enzyme connecting PPL to the specialized amino sugar building unit.

Lincomycin biosynthesis involves a tyrosine hydroxylating heme protein of an unusual enzyme family

The gene lmbB2 of the lincomycin biosynthetic gene cluster of Streptomyces lincolnensis ATCC 25466 was shown to code for an unusual tyrosine hydroxylating enzyme involved in the biosynthetic pathway of this clinically important antibiotic. LmbB2 was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified near to homogeneity and shown to convert tyrosine to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). In contrast to the well-known tyrosine hydroxylases (EC 1.14.16.2) and tyrosinases (EC 1.14.18.1), LmbB2 was identified as a heme protein. Mass spectrometry and Soret band-excited Raman spectroscopy of LmbB2 showed that LmbB2 contains heme b as prosthetic group. The CO-reduced differential absorption spectra of LmbB2 showed that the coordination of Fe was different from that of cytochrome P450 enzymes. LmbB2 exhibits sequence similarity to Orf13 of the anthramycin biosynthetic gene cluster, which has recently been classified as a heme peroxidase. Tyrosine hydroxylating activity of LmbB2 yielding DOPA in the presence of (6R)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-L-biopterin (BH4) was also observed. Reaction mechanism of this unique heme peroxidases family is discussed. Also, tyrosine hydroxylation was confirmed as the first step of the amino acid branch of the lincomycin biosynthesis.

l-3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl alanine-extradiol cleavage is followed by intramolecular cyclization in lincomycin biosynthesis

The LmbB1 protein, participating in the biosynthesis of lincomycin, was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, purified in its active form, and characterized as a dimer of identical subunits. Methods for purification and analysis of the LmbB1 reaction product were developed. Molecular mass and fragmentation pattern of the product revealed by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry were in agreement with its proposed structure, 4-(3-carboxy-3-oxo-propenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid. The LmbB1 is therefore a dioxygenase catalysing the 2,3-extradiol cleavage of the l-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl alanine aromatic ring. The final LmbB1 reaction product, a unique compound found in biosynthesis of lincomycin and expected in anthramycins, arises through subsequent cyclization of the primary cleavage product, 2,3-secodopa. A possible role of LmbB1 in 2,3-secodopa cyclization and alternative ways of the cyclization in the formation of biosynthetically related compounds, muscaflavin and stizolobinic acid, are discussed.

LmbJ and LmbIH protein levels correlate with lincomycin production in Streptomyces lincolnensis

AIMS

To demonstrate the expression of two overlapping genes lmbJ and lmbIH in Streptomyces lincolnensis and to document LmbJ and LmbIH protein levels during the lincomycin production phase. To analyse presumable function of the LmbIH protein.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Lincomycin production was monitored by thin-layer chromatography, proteins LmbJ and LmbIH were assayed in the cell-free extracts of S. lincolnensis by immunodetection. LmbJ occurred at stable level (2-4 mg x g(-1) of total proteins) for a long time period (36-96 h of cultivation) covering the whole production phase. This fairly corresponds to the catalytic function of the protein in the antibiotic biosynthesis (N-demethyllincomycin methyltransferase). On the contrary, LmbIH reached the detectable level (0.1 and 0.7 mg x g(-1)) just for a short period at 60-72 h.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of LmbIH protein at a detectable level during the major part of the antibiotic production phase casts doubt on its possible catalytic function. Rather a different connection with the final biosynthetic steps, e.g. regulatory, can be envisaged.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Expression of a newly found putative regulatory gene was demonstrated during production of industrial antibiotic, lincomycin.

Lincomycin, clindamycin and their applications

Lincomycin and clindamycin are lincosamide antibiotics used in clinical practice. Both antibiotics are bacteriostatic and inhibit protein synthesis in sensitive bacteria. They may even be bactericidal at the higher concentrations that can be reached in vivo. Clindamycin is usually more active than lincomycin in the treatment of bacterial infections, in particular those caused by anaerobic species; and it can also be used for the treatment of important protozoal diseases, e.g. malaria, most effectively in combination with primaquine. Resistance to lincomycin and clindamycin may be caused by methylation of 23S ribosomal RNA, modification of the antibiotics by specific enzymes or active efflux from the periplasmic space.

Lincomycin, cultivation of producing strains and biosynthesis

Lincomycin and its derivatives are antibiotics exhibiting biological activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The semi-synthetic chlorinated lincomycin derivative is used in clinical practice. The chemical structure of lincosamide antibiotics, cultivation of producing strains and analytical procedures used for separation and isolation of these compounds are described in this review. Biosynthesis of lincomycin and related compounds and its genetic control are briefly discussed.

[The application of nanofiltration membrane in the concentration and separation of lincomycin wastewater]

Two spiral nanofiltration membranes, MPS-44 (1.4 m2) and DLNF2-30 (0.24 m2), were connected in series to test the concentration process of lincomycin wastewater. Results indicated when the water inflow concentration was about 200 mg/L, the lincomycin concentration can reach 2000 mg/L after being concentrated for about 10-20 times. Such concentration can reach the demand of reuse, and the concentrating time was 60-70 h. During the concentration process, the CODCr retention was always above 80%, and the lincomycin retention was always over 90%, and the lincomycin recycle rate was over 90%.

[Homologous recombination in Streptomyces lincolnensis B48]

To study frequency and mechanism of homologous recombination in Streptomyces, an E. coli plasmid which cannot replicate in Streptomyces was transformed into Streptomyces lincolnensis B48. After homologous recombination between delta lincomycin biosynthetic genes inactivated by thiostrepton resistant gene (tsr) carried on pYYE04al and homologous sequences on the chromosome, S. lincolnensis YY1 and S. lincolnensis, YY2 were obtained on SMA with low thiostrepton concentration. Hybridization of chromosomal DNA samples of S. lincolnensis YY1, S. lincolnensis YY2, standard S. lincolnensis and S. lincolnensis YYc digested with SmaI with the probe of tsr gene gave signal corresponding to a fragment of 1.5 kb in the former two; Nevertheless, hybridization of chromosomal DNA digested with Hind III and Sma I using the probe of delta lacZ' gene resulted in positive fragment of 4.4 kb only in S. lincolnensis YY2. Southern hybridizations indicate that S. lincolnensis YY1 is the result of homologous exchange while S. lincolnensis YY2 comes from bomologous recombination. To prove the existence of E. coli replicon and ampicillin resistant gene on the chromosome of S. lincolnensis YY2, its DNA digested with SphI was ligated and then transformed into E. coli JM83 competent cell. Two transformants named pSLE1 grew on the plate containing ampicillin. It's confirmed that pSLE1 is a part of pYYE04a1 from its digestion with different enzymes.

Putative lmbI and lmbH genes form a single lmbIH ORF in Streptomyces lincolnensis type strain ATCC 25466

The lincomycin-production gene cluster of the industrial overproduction strain Streptomyces lincolnensis 78-11 has been sequenced (Peschke et al. 1995) and twenty-seven putative open reading frames with biosynthetic or regulatory functions (lmb genes) identified. Two distinct hypothetical genes, lmbI and lmbH, were found downstream of the lmbJ gene, coding for LmbJ protein, which is believed to participate in the last lincomycin biosynthetic step, i.e. conversion of N-demethyllincomycin (NDL) to lincomycin. In the present study, we demonstrate the presence of a single larger open reading frame, called lmbIH, in the lincomycin low-production type strain Streptomyces lincolnensis ATCC 25466, instead of two smaller lmbI and lmbH genes. The product, LmbIH, is a protein of an unknown function and is homologous with the T1dD protein family. Escherichia coli T1dD protein was previously shown to be involved in the control of DNA gyrase by LetD protein. Moreover, our experiments indicate co-regulation of lmbJ and lmbIH expression. This translation coupling probably reflects an eight nucleotide overlap between the lmbJ and lmbIH genes, as well as the lack of a Shine-Dalgarno sequence upstream of the lmbIH gene.

[Anaerobic biological treatment of Lincomycin production wastewater]

The high-strength Lincomycin production wastewater containing toxic and refractory substances treated by lab-scale mesophilic UASB reactor was described. When the reactor was operated in influent COD 8000-14,000 mg/L and HRT 10 h, the volumetric loading rate and COD removal rate could reach 20-35 kg/(m3.d) and 50%-55%, respectively. The granular sludge might be formatted by using a bit longer acclimation time, adjusting and maintaining fairly high surface hydraulic loading rate of 0.2-0.4 m3/(m2.h), influent COD of 2000-3000 mg/L and sludge loading rate of 0.2-0.5 kg/(kg.d). The anaerobic kinetic constants of Vmax and Ks for the wastewater treatment were 1.3 d-1 and 8133 mg/L, respectively. The non-biodegradable substances accounted for about 30% of total COD, which was the important factor of relative low COD removal rate for the wastewater.

Ecological approach of macrolide-lincosamides-streptogramin producing actinomyces from Cuban soils

We report in this study the frequency of Streptomyces strains to produce macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin (MLS) antibiotics isolated from Cuban soils. The screening assay is based on the induction of MLS-resistance phenotype in a clinical isolated strain of Staphylococcus aureus S-18. Our results suggest that of 800 Streptomyces strains isolated from different soil samples, 6% were positives in the screening test used. The ferralitic red soil from Pinar del Río (north) provided the major percentage (3.6%) of MLS producing strains. The other soil samples tested belonging to Guira de Melena and Bauta in Havana, Matanzas City, Topes De Collantes (Villa Clara), and Soroa Mountains (Pinar del Rio) hill reached very low percentages.

The genes lmbB1 and lmbB2 of Streptomyces lincolnensis encode enzymes involved in the conversion of L-tyrosine to propylproline during the biosynthesis of the antibiotic lincomycin A

The genes lmbA,B1,B2 in the lincomycin A production gene cluster of Streptomyces lincolnensis were shown to form a common transcription unit with the promoter located directly upstream of lmbA. The proteins LmbB1 (mol. mass, 18 kDa) and LmbB2 (mol. mass 34 kDa), when over-produced together in Escherichia coli, brought about enzyme activities for the specific conversion of both L-tyrosine and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) to a yellow-colored product. The LmbB1 protein alone catalyzed the conversion of L-DOPA, but not of L-tyrosine. The purified LmbB1 protein showed a Km for L-DOPA of 258.3 microM. The L-tyrosine converting activity could not been demonstrated in vitro. The preliminary interpretation of these data suggests that the protein LmbB1 is an L-DOPA extradiol-cleaving 2,3-dioxygenase and that the protein LmbB2, either alone or in accord with LmbB1, represents an L-tyrosine 3-hydroxylase. This sequence of putative oxidation reactions on L-tyrosine seems to represent a new pathway different from the ones catalyzed by mammalian L-tyrosine hydroxylases or the wide-spread tyrosinases. The protein LmbA seemed not to be involved in this process. The labile, yellow-colored product from L-DOPA could not be converted to a picolinic acid derivative [3-(2-carboxy-5-pyridyl)alanine] in the presence of ammonia. Therefore, it probably is not a derivative of a cis, cis-3-hydroxymuconic acid semialdehyde; instead, its speculative structure represents a heterocyclic precursor of the propylhygric acid moiety of lincomycin A.

Molecular characterization of the lincomycin-production gene cluster of Streptomyces lincolnensis 78-11

The lincomycin (LM)-production gene cluster of the overproducing strain Streptomyces lincolnensis 78-11 was cloned, analysed by hybridization, as well as by DNA sequencing, and compared with the respective genome segments of other lincomycin producers. The lmb/lmr gene cluster is composed of 27 open reading frames with putative biosynthetic or regulatory functions (lmb genes) and three resistance (lmr) genes, two of which, lmrA and lmrC, flank the cluster. A very similar overall organization of the lmb/lmr cluster seems to be conserved in four other LM producers, although the clusters are embedded in non-homologous genomic surroundings. In the wild-type strain (S. lincolnensis NRRL2936), the lmb/lmr-cluster apparently is present only in single copy. However, in the industrial strain S. lincolnensis 78-11 the non-adjacent gene clusters for the production of LM and melanin (melC) both are duplicated on a large (0.45-0.5 Mb) fragment, accompanied by deletion events. This indicates that enhanced gene dosage is one of the factors for the overproduction of LM and demonstrates that large-scale genome rearrangements can be a result of classical strain improvement by mutagenesis. Only a minority of the putative Lmb proteins belong to known protein families. These include members of the gamma-glutamyl transferases (LmbA), amino acid acylases (LmbC), aromatic amino acid aminotransferases (LmbF), imidazoleglycerolphosphate dehydratases (LmbK), dTDP-glucose synthases (LmbO), dTDP-glucose 4,6-dehydratases (LmbM) and (NDP-) ketohexose (or ketocyclitol) aminotransferases (LmbS). In contrast to earlier proposals on the biosynthetic pathway of the C-8 sugar moiety (methylthiolincosaminide), this branch of the LM pathway actually seems to be based on nucleotide-activated sugars as precursors.

[The development of a technology for lincomycin biosynthesis with batch-type feeding of the substrates during the process]

It was shown possible to improve the process of lincomycin production by using batch-type feeding of the carbohydrate substrates during the biosynthesis. The optimal composition of the fermentation medium with lower concentrations of the carbohydrates was developed and batch-type feeding of the substrates was applied. The conditions of the substrate feeding were developed under laboratory conditions. Solutions of glucose or sugar supplemented with potassium sulfate were used for the feeding. The antibiotic yield under the optimal conditions of the substrate feeding and the process control was higher than that under the conditions of the batch fermentation by 23-24 per cent.

Isolation and identification of 3-propylidene-delta 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid, a biosynthetic precursor of lincomycin

An accumulated lincomycin intermediate in UC 8292, a lincomycin nonproducing strain of Streptomyces lincolnensis, has been isolated and purified by employing an assay system based on complementation of UC 11066, another lincomycin nonproducing strain of S. lincolnensis. The structure of the purified intermediate is shown to be 3-propylidene-delta 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid, or 1, 2, 3, 6-tetradehydro-propylproline by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopic studies. Based on the structure of this newly found intermediate, a biosynthetic pathway for propylproline is proposed as tyrosine-->L-3-hydroxytyrosine (Dopa)-->-->-->-->3-propylidene-delta 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid-->3-propyl-delta 2-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid-->propylproline.

[Protoplasts of lincomycin producer Streptomyces roseolus in genetic manipulations]

Protoplasts of commercial strain No. 1 of Streptomyces roseolus producing lincomycin were prepared. Conditions for protoplast storage and regeneration were defined. The protoplasts of strain No. 1 mutants marked by the rifampicin and thiostrepton resistance and the ability to synthesize melanin pigments were fused. Genetic analysis of the recombinants was performed. Systems for transformation of S. roseolus protoplasts by plasmid DNAs were developed. Efficiency of transformation by pIJ702, pIJ61, pVG101 and pBG3 and stability of the transformants were shown.

Cloning of a lincosamide resistance determinant from Streptomyces caelestis, the producer of celesticetin, and characterization of the resistance mechanism

Self-resistance has been investigated in Streptomyces caelestis (producer of the lincosamide antibiotic celesticetin), from which a lincosamide resistance determinant (clr) has been isolated on a 1-kilobase DNA fragment and cloned in Streptomyces lividans. The clr product is a specific methylase which produces a single residue of N6-monomethyladenine in 23S rRNA at position 2058, thereby rendering the 50S ribosmal subunit resistant to the action of lincosamides.

[Production of lincomycin by Micromonospora halophytica culture]

A Micromonospara culture designated as 991/78 with activity against gram-positive cocci and bacteria was isolated from samples of silt-covered substrates from the Amu-Darya. Directed screening on a selective medium supplemented with lincomycin in an amount of 50-100 micrograms/ml was used. Identification of the antibiotic produced by the culture showed it to be lincomycin. By its taxonomic features the culture was classified as belonging to Micromonospora (subgroup II, Cinnamomea) and in particular to M. halophytica (Weinstein, Luedemann, Oden, Wagman, 1968). Up to now, it was known that lincomycin was produced only by Streptomyces cultures.

[Effect of lincomycin and other protein synthesis inhibitors on the metabolism of Actinomyces roseolus, a producer of lincomycin]

The ability of lincomycin, erythromycin and oxytetracycline to affect the synthesis of protein, RNA and DNA in the mycelium of the lincomycin-producing organism Act. roseolus of various ages was studied. The ability of labeled lincomycin to penetrate into the mycelium from the environment was shown and possible presence of the enzymatic systems inactivating lincomycin in the mycelium was studied. Insensitivity of Act. roseolus is due to the protective reactions of the microorganism. One of such reactions involves impermeability of the cell membrane for the antibiotic present in the culture fluid.

[Effect of lincomycin on its own producer, Actinomyces roseolus, in periodic cultivation in a liquid medium]

Lincomycin added to the cultivation medium induced a number of changes in the organism producing it during its ontogenesis when grown recurrently on liquid media. It was found that lincomycin inhibited the culture growth and decreased the absolute amount of the antibiotic synthesized while the specific activity of the culture increased. A number of cytomorphological rearrangements relevant to the adaptive protective reactions was found. It is suggested that an increase in the resistance of the culture to the antibiotic produced by it at the late developmental stages is the result of the above protective reactions.

[Comparative study of the effect of aeration conditions on the biosynthesis of oxytetracycline by an actinomyces rimosus culture and of lincomycin by an Actinomyces roesolus culture]

The effect of aeration conditions on growth of the oxytetracycline- and lincomycin-producing organisms and antibiotic biosynthesis was studied. It was shown that the lincomycin-producing organism respiration rate was much higher and required better aeration condition-than the oxytetracycline-producing organism. The highest respiration rate of the young myces lium was observed in the growth phase. During the period of the antibiotic biosynthesis the rate of oxygen consumption somewhat decreased though remained sufficiently high. Decreased productivity of the mycelium at the end of the process was accompanied by a drop in the respiration rate. The lack of oxgen lowered the mycelium productivity with respect to the antibiotic formation to a much much greater extent than the culture growth rate. The limiting of the antibiotic biosynthesis process by the lack of dissolved oxygen was accompanied by changes in the culture metabolism evident from production of organic acids: ketoacids and volatile acids by Act. rimosus and volatile and lactic acids by Act. roseolus.

[Lincomycin formation by strain R-367 on a complex medium not containing corn steep]

A new complex medium for biosynthesis of lincomycin by strain R-367 was developed using one-factor experiments and mathematical schemes of planning. A complex of mineral salts containing nitrogen, sulphur, phosphurus, magnesium and trace elements was introduced into the content of the new medium. This provided elimination of corn steep liquor from the medium. The linomycin production level in the fermentation broth with the use of the new medium was at an average 2.5 times higher than that on the initial medium containing corn steep liquor.

Monophenol monooxygenase and lincomysin biosynthesis in Streptomyces lincolnensis

Monophenol monooxygenase (monophenol, dihydroxyphenylalanine:oxygen oxidoreductase EC 1.14.18.1) was studied in melanin-positive and melanin-negative mutants of Streptomyces lincolnensis NCIB 9413, varying in the lincomycin synthesizing ability. The activities of laccase and tyrosine phenol lyase (EC 4.1.99.2) are absent in this organism. The monophenol monooxygenase catalyzes hydroxylation of monophenols (K(m) and V(max) for l-tyrosine, 2 x 10(-4) M and 8.0 nmol of O(2)/min per ml, respectively) at a slower rate than it dehydrogenates diphenols to o-quinones (K(m) and V(max) for l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, 7 x 10(-5) M and 51.7 nmol of O(2)/min per ml, respectively. It is inhibited by KCN, beta-mercaptoethanol, ethylenediaminetetraacetate, dipyridyl, thiourea, p-aminobenzoic acids and by some tryptophan metabolites. Changes in the activity of monophenol monooxygenase caused by mutation or by inhibitors are reflected in the synthesis of the antibiotic. Its participation in the biogenesis of the propylhygric moiety of lincomycin is discussed.