Reclassification of a reveromycin-producer and the proposals of Actinacidiphila reveromycinica sp. nov. and Actinacidiphila acidipaludis comb. nov

Streptomyces sp. SN-593, a reveromycin producer, was previously thought to belong to the genus Streptomyces based on its morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics. In this paper, we re-considered its taxonomic position according to the current criteria. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain belongs to the genus Actinacidiphila. In multilocus sequence and phylogenomic analyses, the strain SN-593 represented a distinct evolutionary lineage within this genus, and its closest neighbor was A. yanglinensis. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization indicated that the strain shares less than 32% DNA-DNA relatedness with the type strains of closely related species, confirming this strain is a novel genomospecies. According to its phenotypic distinctiveness from the closest neighbor, we propose Actinacidiphila reveromycinica sp. nov. for the strain SN-593T. Additionally, as Streptomyces acidipaludis belonged to the genus Actinacidiphila in these analyses, it should be transferred to the genus, for which Actinacidiphila acidipaludis comb. nov. is proposed.

Streptomyces camelliae sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of Camellia oleifera Abel

A novel actinobacterium strain, designated HUAS 2-6 T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Camellia oleifera Abel collected from Taoyuan County, Northwestern Hunan Province, South China. This strain was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain HUAS 2-6 T is characterized by morphology typical of members of the genus Streptomyces, with deep purplish vinaceous aerial mycelia and deep dull lavender substrate mycelia. Strain HUAS 2-6 T, based on the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, exhibited the highest similarities to S. puniciscabiei S77T (99.31%), S. filipinensis NBRC 12860 T (99.10%), S. yaanensis CGMCC 4.7035 T (99.09%), S. fodineus TW1S1T (99.08%), S. broussonetiae CICC 24819 T (98.76%), S. achromogenes JCM 4121 T (98.69%), S. barringtoniae JA03T (98.69%), and less than 98.70% with other validly species. In phylogenomic tree, strain HUAS 2-6 T was clustered together with S. broussonetiae CICC 24819 T, suggesting that they were closely related to each other. However, average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridisation (dDDH) between them were much less than the species cutoff values (ANI 96.7% and dDDH 70%). Moreover, in phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain HUAS 2-6 T is distinct from S. broussonetiae CICC 24819 T. On the basis of the polyphasic data, strain HUAS 2-6 T is proposed to represent a novel species, Streptomyces camelliae sp. nov. (= MCCC 1K04729T = JCM 35918 T).

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Streptomyces: brothers in arms to shape the structure and function of the hyphosphere microbiome in the early stage of interaction

BACKGROUND

Fungi and bacteria coexist in a wide variety of environments, and their interactions are now recognized as the norm in most agroecosystems. These microbial communities harbor keystone taxa, which facilitate connectivity between fungal and bacterial communities, influencing their composition and functions. The roots of most plants are associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, which develop dense networks of hyphae in the soil. The surface of these hyphae (called the hyphosphere) is the region where multiple interactions with microbial communities can occur, e.g., exchanging or responding to each other's metabolites. However, the presence and importance of keystone taxa in the AM fungal hyphosphere remain largely unknown.

RESULTS

Here, we used in vitro and pot cultivation systems of AM fungi to investigate whether certain keystone bacteria were able to shape the microbial communities growing in the hyphosphere and potentially improved the fitness of the AM fungal host. Based on various AM fungi, soil leachates, and synthetic microbial communities, we found that under organic phosphorus (P) conditions, AM fungi could selectively recruit bacteria that enhanced their P nutrition and competed with less P-mobilizing bacteria. Specifically, we observed a privileged interaction between the isolate Streptomyces sp. D1 and AM fungi of the genus Rhizophagus, where (1) the carbon compounds exuded by the fungus were acquired by the bacterium which could mineralize organic P and (2) the in vitro culturable bacterial community residing on the surface of hyphae was in part regulated by Streptomyces sp. D1, primarily by inhibiting the bacteria with weak P-mineralizing ability, thereby enhancing AM fungi to acquire P.

CONCLUSIONS

This work highlights the multi-functionality of the keystone bacteria Streptomyces sp. D1 in fungal-bacteria and bacterial-bacterial interactions at the hyphal surface of AM fungi. Video Abstract.

Streptomyces pyxinae sp. nov. and Streptomyces pyxinicus sp. nov. isolated from lichen Pyxine cocoes (Sw.) Nyl

Two novel actinobacteria, designated as LP05-1T and LP11T, were isolated from the lichen Pyxine cocoes (Sw.) Nyl. collected in Bangkok, Thailand. Genotypic and phenotypic analyses revealed that both strains represented members of the genus Streptomyces. The 16S rRNA gene of LP05-1T showed the highest similarity to the genome of Streptomyces gelaticus (98.41 %), while the 16S rRNA gene of LP11T was most similar to that of Streptomyces cinerochromogenes (98.93 %). The major menaquinones in LP05-1T were MK-9(H8), MK-9(H6), MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H2), and in LP11T, they were MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H6). Both strains exhibited the major fatty acids iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0, with LP05-1T also possessing iso-C17 : 0. The polar lipids of LP05-1T included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and an unidentified lipid, while those of LP11T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The digital DNA-DNA hybridisation (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values indicated that both strains are distinct from each other with values below 70 and 95 %, respectively. dDDH, ANI by blast (ANIb) and ANI by MUMmer (ANIm) values between LP05-1T and its closely related type strains were 26.07-26.80 %, 81.24-82.01 % and 86.82-86.96 %, respectively, while those for LP11T and its closely related type strains were 30.70-31.70 %, 84.09-85.31 % and 88.02-88.39 %, respectively. The results of the taxonomic investigation, including dDDH and ANI values, indicate that LP05-1T and LP11T are novel type strains of two novel species within the genus Streptomyces. The names proposed are Streptomyces pyxinae sp. nov. for strain LP05-1T (=TBRC 15494T, =NBRC 115434T) and Streptomyces pyxinicus sp. nov. for strain LP11T (=TBRC 15493T, =NBRC 115421T).

Streptomyces beigongshangae sp. nov., isolated from baijiu fermented grains, could transform ginsenosides of Panax notoginseng

A Gram-stain-positive actinomycete, designated REN17T, was isolated from fermented grains of Baijiu collected from Sichuan, PR China. It exhibited branched substrate mycelia and a sparse aerial mycelium. The optimal growth conditions for REN17T were determined to be 28 °C and pH 7, with a NaCl concentration of 0 % (w/v). ll-Diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic amino acid of the cell-wall peptidoglycan and the polar lipids were composed of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified lipids and four unidentified glycolipids. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9 (H2), MK-9 (H4), MK-9 (H6) and MK-9 (H8). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0. The 16S rRNA sequence of REN17T was most closely related to those of Streptomyces apricus SUN 51T (99.8 %), Streptomyces liliiviolaceus BH-SS-21T (99.6 %) and Streptomyces umbirnus JCM 4521T (98.9 %). The digital DNA-DNA hybridization, average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identify values between REN17T and its closest replated strain, of S. apricus SUN 51T, were 35.9, 88.9 and 87.3 %, respectively. Therefore, REN17T represents a novel species within the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces beigongshangae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is REN17T (=GDMCC 4.193T=JCM 34712T). While exploring the function of the strain, REN17T was found to possess the ability to transform major ginsenosides of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen (Araliaceae) into minor ginsenoside through HPLC separation, which was due to the presence of β-glucosidase. The recombinant β-glucosidase was constructed and purified, which could produce minor ginsenosides of Rg3 and C-K. Finally, the enzymatic properties were characterized.

Isolation, characterisation and description of the roseoflavin producer Streptomyces berlinensis sp. nov

The Gram-positive bacteria Streptomyces davaonensis and Streptomyces cinnabarinus have been the only organisms known to produce roseoflavin, a riboflavin (vitamin B2) derived red antibiotic. Using a selective growth medium and a phenotypic screening, we were able to isolate a novel roseoflavin producer from a German soil sample. The isolation procedure was repeated twice, that is, the same strain could be isolated from the same location in Berlin 6 months and 12 months after its first isolation. Whole genome sequencing of the novel roseoflavin producer revealed an unusual chromosomal arrangement and the deposited genome sequence of the new isolate (G + C content of 71.47%) contains 897 genes per inverted terminal repeat, 6190 genes in the core and 107 genes located on an illegitimate terminal end. We identified the roseoflavin biosynthetic genes rosA, rosB and rosC and an unusually high number of riboflavin biosynthetic genes. Overexpression of rosA, rosB and rosC in Escherichia coli and enzyme assays confirmed their predicted functions in roseoflavin biosynthesis. A full taxonomic analysis revealed that the isolate represents a previously unknown Streptomyces species and we propose the name Streptomyces berlinensis sp. nov. for this roseoflavin producer.

Characterization of Streptomyces sp. LS462 with high productivity of echinomycin, a potent antituberculosis and synergistic antifungal antibiotic

A biologically active microbial strain, designated as "LS462," was isolated from a soil sample collected from Yaoli Virgin Forest of Jiangxi Province, China. The strain was able to produce a high yield of echinomycin (172 mg/l) even under nonoptimized culture conditions and is proposed to serve as a promising source of echinomycin. In this study, echinomycin exhibited strong anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv activity and synergistic antifungal effect with a greatly reduced dosage of posaconazole on Candida albicans SC5314. The strain belongs to the genus Streptomyces according to its morphological and 16S rDNA phylogenetic analysis. The 16S rDNA was found to have the highest sequence identity with Streptomyces fuscichromogenes (99.37% similarity). Extensive nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopic data were used to determine the structure of echinomycin. The strain S. fuscichromogenes has not been previously reported to produce echinomycin. Strain LS462 may be exploited as a new potential source for the commercial production of echinomycin. Also, this work is the first to report the new synergistic antifungal activity of echinomycin and further study of the synergistic mechanism will be helpful to guide the development of antifungal agents.

Antagonistic activity of endophytic actinobacteria from native potatoes (Solanum tuberosum subsp. tuberosum L.) against Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and Pectobacterium atrosepticum

BACKGROUND

The native potatoes (Solanum tuberosum subsp. tuberosum L.) grown in Chile (Chiloé) represent a new, unexplored source of endophytes to find potential biological control agents for the prevention of bacterial diseases, like blackleg and soft rot, in potato crops.

RESULT

The objective of this study was the selection of endophytic actinobacteria from native potatoes for antagonistic activity against Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and Pectobacterium atrosepticum, and their potential to suppress tissue maceration symptoms in potato tubers. This potential was determined through the quorum quenching activity using a Chromobacterium violaceaum ATCC 12472 Wild type (WT) bioassay and its colonization behavior of the potato plant root system (S. tuberosum) by means of the Double labeling of oligonucleotide probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization (DOPE-FISH) targeting technique. The results showed that although Streptomyces sp. TP199 and Streptomyces sp. A2R31 were able to inhibit the growth of the pathogens, only the Streptomyces sp. TP199 isolate inhibited Pectobacterium sp. growth and diminished tissue maceration in tubers (p ≤ 0.05). Streptomyces sp. TP199 had metal-dependent acyl homoserine lactones (AHL) quorum quenching activity in vitro and was able to colonize the root endosphere 10 days after inoculation.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that native potatoes from southern Chile possess endophyte actinobacteria that are potential agents for the disease management of soft rot and blackleg.

Reclassification of four subspecies in the genus Streptomyces to Streptomyces rubradiris sp. nov., Streptomyces asoensis sp. nov., Streptomyces fructofermentans sp. nov. and Streptomyces ossamyceticus sp. nov

The genus Streptomyces includes, at the time of writing, eight subspecies with validly published names. Streptomyces thermoviolaceus subsp. apingens NBRC 15459^T and Streptomyces lavendulae subsp. grasserius NBRC 13045^T show 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of >99.7% to their parent species Streptomyces thermoviolaceus subsp. thermoviolaceus NBRC 13905^T and Streptomyces lavendulae subsp. lavendulae NRRL B-2774^T, respectively. In contrast, the type strains of the remaining six subspecies, Streptomyces achromogenes subsp. rubradiris, Streptomyces albosporeus subsp. labilomyceticus , Streptomyces cacaoi subsp. asoensis , Streptomyces chrysomallus subsp. fumigatus , Streptomyces cinereoruber subsp. fructofermentans and Streptomyces hygroscopicus subsp. ossamyceticus, do not show >99.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to that of each parent species. Although S. chrysomallus subsp. fumigatus and S. hygroscopicus subsp. ossamyceticus were respectively reclassified to 'Kitasatospora fumigata' and 'Streptomyces ossamyceticus', these names have not been validly published yet. In this study, we investigated the taxonomic positions of S. achromogenes subsp. rubradiris, S. cacaoi subsp. asoensis, S. cinereoruber subsp. fructofermentans, S. hygroscopicus subsp. ossamyceticus and S. thermoviolaceus subsp. apingens given that their whole genome sequences are available. Except for S. thermoviolaceus subsp. apingens, these subspecies were discriminated from the parent and closely related species based on phylogenetic, genomic and phenotypic differences. Thus, we reclassify S. achromogenes subsp. rubradiris, S. cacaoi subsp. asoensis , S. cinereoruber subsp. fructofermentans and S. hygroscopicus subsp. ossamyceticus as Streptomyces rubradiris sp. nov., Streptomyces asoensis sp. nov., Streptomyces fructofermentans sp. nov. and Streptomyces ossamyceticus sp. nov., respectively. Multilocus sequence and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses suggested that S. albosporeus subsp. labilomyceticus and S. lavendulae subsp. grasserius may also be reclassified as independent species.

Isolation and Characterization of Antagonistic Activity of Some Streptomycetes and their Specific Actinophages from Soil

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Phages specific to actinomycetes are common, active in the soil and gladly detected. Soil streptomycetes are having antibiosis activities against numerous bacteria, fungi and plant viruses. Thus, this study was designed to isolate, purify and characterize some streptomycetes active against some microorganisms from soil followed by isolation of their specific phages. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Antagonistic activities of these streptomycetes isolates were tested against <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>,<i> Pseudomonas</i> sp., <i>Serratia</i> sp. and <i>Aspergillus niger</i>. To confirm their biological characterization of the streptomycetes isolates under investigation, the 16SrRNA gene was also used. The presence of specific lysate actinophages in the soil samples were tested by spot test technique and then propagated and purified for further characterization. The morphology of the purified actinophages was determined by electron microscopy. <b>Results:</b> The five selected <i>Streptomyces</i> isolates having effective antagonistic activity were biologically and molecularly identified as <i>Streptomyces sclerogranulatus </i>(QQ06), <i>Streptomyces mutabilis </i>(QQ07), <i>Streptomyces heilongjiangensis </i>(QQ08), <i>Streptomyces sparsus </i>(QQ09) and <i>Streptomyces purpurascens </i>(QQ10) strains. Electron micrographs showed the presence of filamentous virus-like particles with lengths of 21.4×928.57, 25×750, 21.4×857.14, 21.4×885.7 and 21.4×857.14 nm specific to <i>Streptomyces</i> strains QQ06, QQ07, QQ08, QQ09 and QQ10, respectively and belong to the family Inoviridae. <b>Conclusion:</b> Phage of Inoviridae was considered as the first time against streptomycetes isolates, therefore, additional and advanced studies should be carried out at the level of molecular characterization.

Proposal of Streptomyces aureorectus (ex Taig et al. 1969) Taig and Solovieva 1986 as a later heterotypic synonym of Streptomyces calvus Backus et al. 1957 (Approved Lists 1980) on the basis of a polyphasic taxonomic approach

As two separate genomic species, Streptomyces calvus and Streptomyces aureorectus were approved in 1980 and 1986, respectively. However, recently, it has been found that the average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between S. calvus JCM 4326^T and S. aureorectus DSM 41692^T were 99.19 and 92.70 %, respectively, much higher than 95-96 and 70  % cut-off points proposed and the generally accepted species boundaries. These data indicated that they should be classified as the same genomic species. Furthermore, this result was also supported by a comprehensive comparison of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and physio-biochemical characteristics between the two type strains. All these data indicated that S. calvus and S. aureorectus had the same taxonomic position. In accordance with the principle of priority, it is proposed that S. aureorectus is a later heterotypic synonyms of S. calvus.

Streptomyces coffeae sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from the root of Coffea arabica (L.)

An endophytic actinobacterium, designated strain CA1R205^T, was isolated from the surface-sterilized root of Coffea arabica L. collected from Ratchaburi province, Thailand. The taxonomic position of this strain was evaluated using a polyphasic approach. The strain produced light yellowish brown to dark brownish black substrate mycelium and greyish white aerial mycelium. The spiral spore chains were produced directly on aerial mycelium. CA1R205^T was found to have ll-diaminopimelic acid in the cell peptidoglycan, galactose, glucose, mannose and ribose as whole-cell reducing sugars, MK-10(H₄), MK-9(H₆), MK-10(H₂), MK-9(H₄), MK-10(H₆) and MK-10(H₈) as menaquinones and iso-C_15 : 0, anteiso-C_15 : 0, iso-C_16 : 0 and C_16 : 0 as major fatty acids. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol were detected in the cells. These characteristics were consistent the typical chemotaxonomic properties of members the genus Streptomyces. The taxonomic affiliation at the genus level of this strain could be confirmed using its 16S rRNA gene sequence data. CA1R205^T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value to Streptomyces rapamycinicus NRRL B-5491^T (98.9 %), followed by Streptomyces iranensis HM 35^T (98.8 %). Digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity-by blast (ANIb) values between CA1R205^T and S. rapamycinicus NRRL B-5491^T were 27.2 and 81.5 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of genomic DNA was 70.7 mol%. Due to the differences in physiological, biochemical and genotypic data, CA1R205^T could be discriminated from its closest neighbour. Thus, CA1R205^T should be recognized as representing a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces coffeae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CA1R205^T (=TBRC 11244^T=NBRC 114295^T).

Streptomyces adelaidensis sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from the root of Callitris preissii with potential for plant growth-promoting properties

An endophytic actinobacterium, strain CAP261^T was isolated from the surface sterilized root of Callitris preissii (Australian native pine tree). As a result of a polyphasic taxonomy study, this strain was identified as a member of the genus Streptomyces. This strain was an aerobic actinobacterium with well-developed substrate mycelia with loop spore chains and the spore surfaces are verrucose. The closest phylogenetic members which shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequences similarity was Streptomyces bottropensis ATCC 25435 ^T at 98.1%. Chemotaxonomic data including cell wall components, major menaquinones, and major fatty acids confirmed the affiliation of strain CAP261^T to the genus Streptomyces. The results of the phylogenetic analysis, including physiological and biochemical studies in combination with genome comparison study, allowed the genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain CAP261^T and the closest species with validly published names. ANIb, ANIm and dDDH values of strain CAP261^T and S. bottropensis ATCC 25435 ^T were 86.7%, 89.2% and 33.9%, respectively. The name proposed for the new species is Streptomyces adelaidensis sp. nov. The type strain is CAP261^T (= DSM 42026 ^T = NRRL B-24814 ^T).

Reclassification of Streptomyces costaricanus and Streptomyces phaeogriseichromatogenes as later heterotypic synonyms of Streptomyces murinus

This study aimed to clarify the taxonomic relationships among Streptomyces costaricanus, Streptomyces graminearus, Streptomyces murinus and Streptomyces phaeogriseichromatogenes. These strains share the same 16S rRNA gene sequence. Multilocus sequence analysis revealed that S. costaricanus, S. murinus and S. phaeogriseichromatogenes belong to the same species, but S. graminearus does not. Digital DNA-DNA relatedness and average nucleotide identity among S. costaricanus, S. murinus and S. phaeogriseichromatogenes were 70.9-74.6% and 96.5-97.0 %, respectively. In addition to the previously reported phenotypic data, the presence of a similar set of secondary metabolite-biosynthetic gene clusters for polyketides and nonribosomal peptides supported the similarity among the three species. Therefore, S. costaricanus and S. phaeogriseichromatogenes should be reclassified as later heterotypic synonyms of S. murinus.

Isolation of manumycin-type derivatives and genome characterization of a marine Streptomyces sp. C1-2

A marine actinomycete strain C1-2 was taxonomically characterized as the genus Streptomyces, based on whole-genome sequence analysis. The highest average nucleotide identity (ANI) value (98.96%) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) value (90.4%) were observed between Streptomyces sp. C1-2 and Streptomyces griseoaurantiacus. Thus, Streptomyces sp. C1-2 could be identified as S. griseoaurantiacus. Genome analysis revealed that Streptomyces sp. C1-2 contained 22 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) for secondary metabolites, where among them, 54% have low similarities with known BGCs. The chemical investigation led to the isolation of three new manumycin-type derivatives and two known analog antibiotics named SW-B and cornifronin B. All compounds showed antioxidant activity with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values in a range of 50.82 ± 0.8-112.04 ± 1.0 μg/mL with no cytotoxicity against Vero cells. This is the first report of the antioxidant property of manumycin-type derivatives. Moreover, two known compounds exhibited antifungal activity against Phytophthora capsici, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum, and Magnaporthe grisea, with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in a range of 125-500 μg/mL.

Streptomyces cupreus sp. nov., an antimicrobial producing actinobacterium isolated from Himalayan soil

A novel actinobacterium, designated Streptomyces sp strain PSKA01^T, was isolated from a soil sample of Kashmir Himalaya, India (latitude:34˚-01'N; longitude:74˚-47'E; altitude: 5328 ft). The taxonomic position of this strain was revealed by a polyphasic approach. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that PSKA01^T was closely related to the members of the genus Streptomyces, with the highest similarity to Streptomyces venetus CMU-AB225^T (99.3%), Streptomyces levis NBRC 15423 ^T (99.3%), Streptomyces misionensis DSM 40306 ^T (99.2%), Streptomyces carpinensis NRRL B-16921 ^T (99.2%), Streptomyces purpurascens NBRC 13077 ^T (99.2%), and Streptomyces phaeoluteichromatogenes NRRL 5799 ^T (99.2%). A phylogenomic tree based on genome sequences of the isolated strains, conferred by Type Strain Genome Server (TYGS), separated them from rest of the Streptomyces. The cell wall contained LL-diaminopimelic acid and the whole-cell hydrolysates were xylose and rhamnose. Major fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were observed as 16:0 iso and 17:0 anteiso. In addition to the differences in phenotypic characters, the average nucleotide identity (ANI), average amino acid identity (AAI), digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values, tetranucleotide frequency correlation coefficient (TETRA), and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) between PSKA01^T and closely related type strains were considerably lower than the recommended threshold value; therefore, this isolate represents a novel Streptomyces species, for which the name Streptomyces cupreus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PSKA01^T (= JCM 33752 ^T = MCC 4182 ^T).

Streptomyces marianii sp. nov., a novel marine actinomycete from southern coast of India

A novel marine actinomycete strain designated ICN19T was isolated from the subtidal sediment of Chinnamuttam coast of Kanyakumari, India and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Neighbour-joining tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences of validly described type strains had revealed the strain ICN19T formed distinct cluster with Streptomyces wuyuanensis CGMCC 4.7042T, Streptomyces tirandamycinicus HNM0039T and Streptomyces spongiicola HNM0071T. Morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics were consistent with those of members of the genus Streptomyces. The strain possessed LL-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was identified as MK-9(H8) (70%), MK-9(H6) (20%) and MK-9(H2) (2%), with the major cellular fatty acids (>10%) being anteiso-C15:0, C16:0 and iso-C16:0. The main polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and three unidentified phospholipids. The dendrogram generated on the basis of MALDI-TOF mass spectra supports the strain differentiated from its neigbours. The genome sequence of strain ICN19T was 9,010,366 bp in size with a total of 7420 protein-coding genes and 98 RNA genes. The genomic G+C content of the novel strain was 71.27 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain ICN19T and the reference strains with S. wuyuanensis CGMCC 4.7042T, S. tirandamycinicus HNM0039T and S. spongiicola HNM0071T were 42.8%, 39.5% and 38%, respectively. Based on differences in physiological, biochemical, chemotaxonomic differences and whole-genome characteristics the isolated strain represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces marianii sp. nov. is proposed. Type strain is ICN19T (=MCC 3599T = KCTC 39749T).

A Novel Species-Level Group of Streptomyces Exhibits Variation in Phytopathogenicity Despite Conservation of Virulence Loci

The genus Streptomyces includes several phytopathogenic species that cause common scab, a devastating disease of tuber and root crops, in particular potato. The diversity of species that cause common scab is unknown. Likewise, the genomic context necessary for bacteria to incite common scab symptom development is not fully characterized. Here, we phenotyped and sequenced the genomes of five strains from a poorly studied Streptomyces lineage. These strains form a new species-level group. When genome sequences within just these five strains are compared, there are no polymorphisms of loci implicated in virulence. Each genome contains the pathogenicity island that encodes for the production of thaxtomin A, a phytotoxin necessary for common scab. Yet, not all sequenced strains produced thaxtomin A. Strains varied from nonpathogenic to highly virulent on two hosts. Unexpectedly, one strain that produced thaxtomin A and was pathogenic on radish was not aggressively pathogenic on potato. Therefore, while thaxtomin A biosynthetic genes and production of thaxtomin A are necessary, they are not sufficient for causing common scab of potato. Additionally, results show that even within a species-level group of Streptomyces strains, there can be aggressively pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains despite conservation of virulence genes.

Herbicidal Characteristics and Structural Identification of the Potential Active Compounds from Streptomyces sp. KRA17-580

Weeds are notorious plant species exhibiting a harmful impact on crops. Biological weed control is an efficient and environmentally friendly technique, usually constitutes naturally derived compounds, including bioherbicidal metabolites produced by Streptomyces sp. The isolation and structural identification of phytotoxic compounds from Streptomyces have recently been proposed as an effective way to the discovery of novel bioherbicides. In the screening of bioherbicidal agents, isolated Streptomyces strain KRA17-580 demonstrated significant phytotoxic activity against Digitaria ciliaris. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence indicated that isolated KRA17-580 is similar to Streptomyces olivochromogenes. The bacterial culture conditions were optimized for temperature, agitation, and initial pH. Streptomyces strain KRA17-580 showed intense phytotoxic activity and high cell mass at an initial pH of 5.5-7.0, more than 150 rpm, and 25-30 °C. The herbicidal compounds isolated from the culture filtrate of strain KRA17-580 were purified by solvent partition, C₁₈, Sephadex LH20 column chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography. By 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis, the 580-H1 and 580-H2 compounds were identified as a cinnoline-4-carboxamide (M_W, 173.0490; C₉H₇N₃O₂) and cinnoline-4-carboxylic acid (M_W, 174.0503; C₉H₆N₂O₂), respectively. Only these two herbicidal compounds showed strong phytotoxic activity against D. ciliaris in foliar applications. However, compound 580-H2 was more phytotoxic than 580-H1 and the toxicity was dose-dependent. The herbicidal metabolite KRA17-580 produced by Streptomyces sp. is a new bioherbicidal candidate that may provide a new lead molecule for more efficient phytotoxic compounds.

Azodyrecins A-C: Azoxides from a Soil-Derived Streptomyces Species

Azoxy compounds belong to a small group of natural products sharing a common functional group with the general structure RN = N⁺(O^-)R. Three new azoxides, azodyrecins A-C (1-3), were isolated from a soil-derived Streptomyces sp. strain P8-A2. The cis-alkenyl unit in 1-3 was found to readily isomerize to the trans-congeners (4-6). The structures of the new compounds were determined by detailed spectroscopic (1D/2D NMR) and HRMS data analysis. Azodyrecins belong to a new class of natural azoxy compounds and are proposed to derive from l-alanine and alkylamines. The absolute configurations of 1-6 were defined by comparison of ECD spectra. While no antimicrobial effects were observed for 1 against Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio anguillarum, or Candida albicans, azodyrecin B (2) exhibited cytotoxicity against the human leukemia cell line HL-60 with an IC₅₀ value of 2.2 μM.

A dual-functional aminopeptidase from Streptomyces canus T20 and its application in the preparation of small rice peptides

An aminopeptidase that derived from Streptomyces canus T20 (ScAP) was successfully expressed and characterized in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) for first time. The specific activity was 6000 U/mg, which is highest in Streptomyces aminopeptidases. Its optimal conditions were 60 °C and pH 8.0, respectively. ScAP exhibited excellent thermal and alkaline pH stability, retained 80.0% maximal activity at 50 °C for 200 h or at pH 9.0 for 24 h. Its activity observed to be complete inhibited by 0.1 mM EDTA and enhanced by Ca²⁺ and Co²⁺ to 115.4% and 104.0% respectively. ScAP also has exhibited high specificity towards rice protein on preparation of small peptides. The yield of small rice peptides achieved 66.5%, which is highest by far. Besides, ScAP have significant debittering effect on rice peptides. Results showed that bitter intensity score decreased by 49.0% with optimum condition (0.048% ScAP at 50 °C for 6 h). Therefore, ScAP as dual functional aminopeptidase of hydrolytic and debittering might have a potential application in the production of high yield and low bitterness of small rice peptides.

Isolation and Identification of Streptomyces spp. from Desert and Savanna Soils in Sudan

The purpose of this study was to investigate streptomycete populations in desert and savanna ecozones in Sudan and to identify species based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. A total of 49 different Streptomyces phenotypes (22 from sites representing the desert and semi-desert ecozone; 27 representing the savanna ecozone) have been included in the study. The isolates were characterized phenotypically and confirmed using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The two ecozones showed both similarities and uniqueness in the types of isolates. The shared species were in cluster 1 (Streptomyces (S.) werraensis), cluster 2 (Streptomyces sp.), cluster 3 (S. griseomycini-like), and cluster 7 (S. rochei). The desert ecozone revealed unique species in cluster 9 (Streptomyces sp.) and cluster 10 (S. griseomycini). Whereas, the savanna ecozone revealed unique species in cluster 4 (Streptomyces sp.), cluster 5 (S. albogriseolus/ S. griseoincarnatus), cluster 6 (S. djakartensis), and cluster 8 (Streptomyces sp.). Streptomycetes are widely distributed in both desert and the savanna ecozones and many of these require full descriptions. Extending knowledge on Streptomyces communities and their dynamics in different ecological zones and their potential antibiotic production is needed.

Streptomyces harenosi sp. nov., a home for a gifted strain isolated from Indonesian sand dune soil

A polyphasic study was undertaken to establish the position of a Streptomyces strain, isolate PRKS01-65T, recovered from sand dune soil collected at Parangkusumo, Yogyakarta Province, Java, Indonesia. A combination of chemotaxonomic, cultural and morphological properties confirmed its position in the genus of Streptomyces. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that the isolate was most closely related to Streptomyces leeuwenhoekii C34T (99.9 % similarity) and loosely associated with the type strains of Streptomyces chiangmaiensis (98.7 % similarity) and Streptomyces glomeratus (98.9 % similarity). Multilocus sequence analyses based on five conserved housekeeping gene alleles confirmed the close relationship between the isolate and S. leeuwenhoekii C34T, although both strains belonged to a well-supported clade that encompassed the type strains of S. glomeratus, Streptomyces griseomycini, Streptomyces griseostramineus, Streptomyces labedae, Streptomyces lomondensis and Streptomyces spinoverrucosus. A comparison of the draft genome sequence generated for the isolate with corresponding whole genome sequences of its closest phylogenomic neighbours showed that it formed a well-separated lineage with S. leeuwenhoekii C34T. These strains can also be distinguished using a combination of phenotypic properties and by average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization similarities of 94.3 and 56 %, values consistent with their classification in different species. Based on this wealth of data it is proposed that isolate PRKS01-65T (=NCIMB 15211T=CCMM B1302T=ICEBB-03T) be classified as Streptomyces harenosi sp. nov. The genome of the isolate contains several biosynthetic gene clusters with the potential to produce new natural products.

Streptomyces sp. Strain MUSC 125 from Mangrove Soil in Malaysia with Anti-MRSA, Anti-Biofilm and Antioxidant Activities

There is an urgent need to search for new antibiotics to counter the growing number of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, one of which is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Herein, we report a Streptomyces sp. strain MUSC 125 from mangrove soil in Malaysia which was identified using 16S rRNA phylogenetic and phenotypic analysis. The methanolic extract of strain MUSC 125 showed anti-MRSA, anti-biofilm and antioxidant activities. Strain MUSC 125 was further screened for the presence of secondary metabolite biosynthetic genes. Our results indicated that both polyketide synthase (pks) gene clusters, pksI and pksII, were detected in strain MUSC 125 by PCR amplification. In addition, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) detected the presence of different chemicals in the methanolic extract. Based on the GC-MS analysis, eight known compounds were detected suggesting their contribution towards the anti-MRSA and anti-biofilm activities observed. Overall, the study bolsters the potential of strain MUSC 125 as a promising source of anti-MRSA and antibiofilm compounds and warrants further investigation.

Comparative Genomics Determines Strain-Dependent Secondary Metabolite Production in Streptomyces venezuelae Strains

Streptomyces venezuelae is well known to produce various secondary metabolites, including chloramphenicol, jadomycin, and pikromycin. Although many strains have been classified as S. venezuelae species, only a limited number of strains have been explored extensively for their genomic contents. Moreover, genomic differences and diversity in secondary metabolite production between the strains have never been compared. Here, we report complete genome sequences of three S. venezuelae strains (ATCC 10712, ATCC 10595, and ATCC 21113) harboring chloramphenicol and jadomycin biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC). With these high-quality genome sequences, we revealed that the three strains share more than 85% of total genes and most of the secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (smBGC). Despite such conservation, the strains produced different amounts of chloramphenicol and jadomycin, indicating differential regulation of secondary metabolite production at the strain level. Interestingly, antagonistic production of chloramphenicol and jadomycin was observed in these strains. Through comparison of the chloramphenicol and jadomycin BGCs among the three strains, we found sequence variations in many genes, the non-coding RNA coding regions, and binding sites of regulators, which affect the production of the secondary metabolites. We anticipate that these genome sequences of closely related strains would serve as useful resources for understanding the complex secondary metabolism and for designing an optimal production process using Streptomyces strains.

Streptomyces taklimakanensis sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from the Taklimakan desert

A novel Streptomyces strain, designated TRM43335^T, was isolated from the Taklimakan desert in Alar City, Xinjiang, north-west China. The strain was found to exhibit an inhibitory effect on biofilm formation by Candida albicans and Staphylococcus epidermidis. A polyphasic approach was used to determine its taxonomic status. The strain was observed to form abundant aerial mycelium, occasionally twisted and which differentiated into spiral spore chains. Spores of TRM43335^T were observed to be oval-shaped, with a smooth surface. Strain TRM43335^T was found to grow optimally at 37 °C, pH 8 and in the presence of 1% (w/v) NaCl. The major sugars were identified as ribose, xylose, glucose, mannose and galactose, and the principal phospholipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and phosphatidylinositol. The diagnostic cell wall amino acid was identified as LL-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone was found to be MK-9(H₆). The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C_16:1 H, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, anteiso-C_17:0, anteiso-C_17:1 w9c and iso-C_15:0. Analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence showed that strain TRM43335^T exhibits high sequence similarity to Streptomyces desertarenae SYSU D8023^T 98.69%. A multilocus sequence analysis of five house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA and trpB) also illustrated that strain TRM43335^T should be assigned to the genus Streptomyces. The DNA G + C content of the strain was determined to be 72.8 mol%. The average nucleotide identity relatedness between strain TRM43335^T and the phylogenetically related strain S. desertarenae SYSU D8023^T was found to be 89.23%, and the in silico DNA-DNA hybridization value to be 36.70%. Therefore, it is concluded that strain TRM43335^T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces taklimakanensis sp. nov is proposed. The type strain is TRM43335^T (CCTCC AA 2018052 ^T = KCTC 49254 ^T).

Streptomyces cavernae sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from a karst cave sediment sample

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated SYSU K10008^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a karst cave in Xingyi County, Guizhou Province, south-western PR China. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the strain were aerobic, Gram-stain-positive and non-motile. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and the results of phylogenetic analysis, strain SYSU K10008^T was most closely related to Streptomyces cyaneus CGMCC 4.1671^T, and shared the highest sequence identity of 98.3 % based on the NCBI database. In addition, ll-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in cell-wall peptidoglycan. The whole-cell sugars were glucose and rhamnose. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-9(H₆), while the major fatty acids (>10 %) were C_16 : 0, iso-C_16 : 0, anteiso-C_15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C_16 : 1 ω7c/C_{16  : 1} ω6c). The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and one unidentified lipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SYSU K10008^T was 70.5 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain SYSU K10008^T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces cavernae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU K10008^T (=KCTC 39850^T=DSM 104115^T).

Diversity and geographic distribution of soil streptomycetes with antagonistic potential against actinomycetoma-causing Streptomyces sudanensis in Sudan and South Sudan

BACKGROUND

Production of antibiotics to inhibit competitors affects soil microbial community composition and contributes to disease suppression. In this work, we characterized whether Streptomyces bacteria, prolific antibiotics producers, inhibit a soil borne human pathogenic microorganism, Streptomyces sudanensis. S. sudanensis represents the major causal agent of actinomycetoma - a largely under-studied and dreadful subcutaneous disease of humans in the tropics and subtropics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro S. sudanensis inhibitory potential of soil streptomycetes isolated from different sites in Sudan, including areas with frequent (mycetoma belt) and rare actinomycetoma cases of illness.

RESULTS

Using selective media, 173 Streptomyces isolates were recovered from 17 sites representing three ecoregions and different vegetation and ecological subdivisions in Sudan. In total, 115 strains of the 173 (66.5%) displayed antagonism against S. sudanensis with different levels of inhibition. Strains isolated from the South Saharan steppe and woodlands ecoregion (Northern Sudan) exhibited higher inhibitory potential than those strains isolated from the East Sudanian savanna ecoregion located in the south and southeastern Sudan, or the strains isolated from the Sahelian Acacia savanna ecoregion located in central and western Sudan. According to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, isolates were predominantly related to Streptomyces werraensis, S. enissocaesilis, S. griseostramineus and S. prasinosporus. Three clusters of isolates were related to strains that have previously been isolated from human and animal actinomycetoma cases: SD524 (Streptomyces sp. subclade 6), SD528 (Streptomyces griseostramineus) and SD552 (Streptomyces werraensis).

CONCLUSION

The in vitro inhibitory potential against S. sudanensis was proven for more than half of the soil streptomycetes isolates in this study and this potential may contribute to suppressing the abundance and virulence of S. sudanensis. The streptomycetes isolated from the mycetoma free South Saharan steppe ecoregion show the highest average inhibitory potential. Further analyses suggest that mainly soil properties and rainfall modulate the structure and function of Streptomyces species, including their antagonistic activity against S. sudanensis.

Antifungal compounds from Streptomyces associated with attine ants also inhibit Leishmania donovani

Bacterial strains isolated from attine ants showed activity against the insect specialized fungal pathogen Escovopsis and also against the human protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani. The bioassay guided fractionation of extracts from cultures of Streptomyces sp. ICBG292, isolated from the exoskeleton of Cyphomyrmex workers, led to the isolation of Mer-A2026B (1), piericidin-A₁ (2) and nigericin (3). Nigericin (3) presented high activity against intracellular amastigotes of L. donovani (IC₅₀ 0.129 ± 0.008 μM). Streptomyces puniceus ICBG378, isolated from workers of Acromyrmex rugosus rugosus, produced dinactin (4) with potent anti-L. donovani activity against intracellular amastigotes (IC₅₀ 0.018 ± 0.003 μM). Compounds 3 and 4 showed good selectivity indexes, 88.91 and 656.11 respectively, and were more active than positive control, miltefosine. Compounds 1–4 were also active against some Escovopsis strains. Compounds 1 and 2 were also produced by Streptomyces sp. ICBG233, isolated from workers of Atta sexdens, and detected in ants’ extracts by mass spectrometry, suggesting they are produced in the natural environment as defensive compounds involved in the symbiotic interaction.

Visceral leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania infantum and L. donovani, is characterized by high rate mortality worldwide. Current treatments for this disease suffer from toxicity, variable efficacy, requirements for parenteral administration and length of treatment regimens. New chemical entities and development of new drugs are important to overcome the impact of this protozoan disease. Actinobacterial strains, such as Streptomyces, have been a source of most naturally derived antibiotics, as well as anticancer, anthelmintic, and antifungal drugs. These microorganisms also produce small molecules important in symbiotic interactions with insects, such as fungus-growing ants, fungus-growing termites, beetles and wasps against pathogens. Several novel compounds have been reported from these microorganisms with promising biological activities. In this work we show an interesting ecologic approach for drug discovery that also shows promise for the identification of antileishmanial natural products from fungus-growing ant ecosystem. Two compounds isolated from Streptomyces strains showed potent activity against L. donovani, higher than the positive control (miltefosine) with high selectivity indexes.

Enhancement of disease resistance, growth potential, and photosynthesis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) by inoculation with an endophytic actinobacterium, Streptomyces thermocarboxydus strain BPSAC147

Biotic stresses in plants have a significant impact on agricultural productivity. In the present study, in vivo experiments were conducted to determine the physiological responses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedlings by inoculation with an endophytic actinobacterium, Streptomyces thermocarboxydus isolate BPSAC147 under greenhouse conditions. Further, photochemical quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) (F_v/F_m), photochemical quenching (qP) and non-photochemical (NPQ) were calculated in seedlings inoculated with S. thermocarboxydus (T1) and were compared with control (T0) plants. Furthermore, the electron transport rate (ETR) of PSII exhibited a significant increase in T1 plants, relative to T0 plants. These results indicate that inoculation of tomato seedlings with S. thermocarboxydus had a positive effect on the process of photosynthesis, resulting in enhanced chlorophyll fluorescence parameters due to increased ETR in the thylakoid membrane. GC-MS analysis showed significant differences in the volatile compounds in the different treatments performed under greenhouse conditions. The present study suggests that S. thermocarboxydus can be used as new biocontrol agent to control Fusarium wilt in tomato crops and enhance productivity by enhancing photosynthesis.

Streptomyces altiplanensis sp. nov., an alkalitolerant species isolated from Chilean Altiplano soil, and emended description of Streptomyces chryseus (Krasil'nikov et al. 1965) Pridham 1970

A polyphasic approach was used for evaluating the taxonomic status of strain HST21^T isolated from Salar de Huasco in the Atacama Desert. The results of 16S rRNA gene and multilocus sequence phylogenetic analyses assigned strain HST21^T to the genus Streptomyceswith Streptomyces albidochromogenes DSM 41800^Tand Streptomyces flavidovirens DSM 40150^T as its nearest neighbours. Digital DNA-DNA hydridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between the genome sequences of strain HST21^T and S. albidochromogenes DSM 41800^T (35.6 and 88.2 %) and S. flavidovirens DSM 40105^T (47.2 and 88.8 %) were below the thresholds of 70  and 95-96 % for prokaryotic conspecific assignation. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genetic results distinguished strain HST21^T from its closest neighbours. Strain HST21^T is characterized by the presence of ll-diaminopimelic acid in its peptidoglycan layer; glucose and ribose as whole cell sugars; diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, glycophospholipids, unknown lipids and phospholipids as polar lipids; and anteiso-C15 : 0 (21.6 %) and anteiso-C17 : 0 (20.5 %) as major fatty acids (>15 %). Based on these results, strain HST21^T merits recognition as a novel species, for which the name Streptomyces altiplanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HST21^T=DSM 107267^T=CECT 9647^T. While analysing the phylogenies of strain HST21^T, Streptomyces chryseus DSM 40420^T and Streptomyces helvaticus DSM 40431^T were found to have 100 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with digital DNA-DNA hydridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of 95.3 and 99.4 %, respectively. Therefore, S. helvaticus is considered as a later heterotypic synonym of S. chryseus and, consequently, we emend the description of S. chryseus.

Osmanicin, a Polyketide Alkaloid Isolated from Streptomyces osmaniensis CA-244599 Inhibits Elastase in Human Fibroblasts

The strain Streptomyces osmaniensis CA-244599 isolated from the Comoros islands was submitted to liquid-state fermentation coupled to in situ solid-phase extraction with amberlite XAD-16 resin. Elution of the trapped compounds on the resin beads by ethyl acetate afforded seven metabolites, osmanicin (1), streptazolin (2), streptazone C (3), streptazone B₁ (4), streptenol C (5), nocardamine (6) and desmethylenylnocardamine (7). Osmanicin (1) is a newly reported unusual scaffold combining streptazolin (2) and streptazone C (3) through a Diels-Alder type reaction. Experimental evidence excluded the spontaneous formation of 1 from 2 and 3. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit elastase using normal human diploid fibroblasts. Compound 1 exhibited the most potent activity with an IC₅₀ of 3.7 μM.

Environmental friendly synthesis of silver nanomaterials from the promising Streptomyces parvus strain Al-Dhabi-91 recovered from the Saudi Arabian marine regions for antimicrobial and antioxidant properties

The therapeutic molecules recovered from the marine biological origin are widely used for the treatment of diverse levels of infections caused by microbial pathogens. In addition, the eco-friendly preparations of nanomaterials together with the secondary metabolites' producing active microbial strains effectively suppress the spreading of the pathogenic bacteria. Considering their importance, the present study evaluated the environmental friendly synthesis of Silver nitrate nanomaterials (SNM) from the active marine Streptomyces strain Al-Dhabi-91 isolated from the Dammam region of Saudi Arabia. The obtained SNM was chemically characterized by various spectroscopic techniques such as UV, XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM and EDAX; and its biological applications such as antimicrobial properties and antioxidant potential were recorded by DPPH methods. Biochemical and micromorphological studies together with the molecular techniques confirmed that the isolate Al-Dhabi-91 belonged to Streptomyces species. The characterization techniques confirmed that the UV spectrum showed maximum absorption peak at 305 nm indicating the plasmodium characteristics. SEM and TEM analyses evidenced 5-2 nm which are agglomerated, cool to form porous asymmetrical networks. Additionally, the FTIR spectrum showed maximum peak at 1194 cm^-1 and 1394 cm^-1, confirming the presence of aromatic CH bending and aromatic CC bending in the SNM. SNM exhibited prolific antibacterial activity against Gram negative pathogens, K. pneumoniae (28.33 mm) and E. coli (21.66 mm) respectively. The MIC values of SNM were significant with respect to E. faecalis (125 μg/ml), S. aureus (250 μg/ml), P. aeruginosa (125 μg/ml), K. pneumoniae (500 μg/ml) and E. coli (250 μg/ml) respectively. In addition, the antioxidant potential of the SNM was another value added importance. Especially 50 μg/ml of the nanoparticles showed 33% antioxidant potential; similarly in nitric oxide radical inhibition assay the concentration of 50 μg/ml nanoparticles showed 33% of inhibition potential. Overall, the eco-friendly synthesis of SNM from the marine Streptomyces strain Al-Dhabi-91 was an ideal active source for the treatment of infectious disease and health associated disorders.

Streptacidiphilus bronchialis sp. nov., a ciprofloxacin-resistant bacterium from a human clinical specimen; reclassification of Streptomyces griseoplanus as Streptacidiphilus griseoplanus comb. nov. and emended description of the genus Streptacidiphilus

The taxonomic position of strain 15-057A^T, an acidophilic actinobacterium isolated from the bronchial lavage of an 80-year-old male, was determined using a polyphasic approach incorporating morphological, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic analyses. Pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities calculated using the GGDC web server between strain 15-057A^T and its closest phylogenetic neighbours, Streptomyces griseoplanus NBRC 12779^T and Streptacidiphilus oryzae TH49^T, were 99.7 and 97.6 %, respectively. The G+C content of isolate 15-057A^T was determined to be 72.6 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness and average nucleotide identity between isolate 15-057A^T and Streptomyces griseoplanus DSM 40009^T were 29.2±2.5 % and 85.97 %, respectively. Chemotaxonomic features of isolate 15-057A^T were consistent with its assignment within the genus Streptacidiphilus: the whole-cell hydrolysate contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and glucose, mannose and ribose as cell-wall sugars; the major menaquinone was MK9(H8); the polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, glycophospholipid, aminoglycophospholipid and an unknown lipid; the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. Phenotypic and morphological traits distinguished isolate 15-057A^T from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. The results of our taxonomic analyses showed that strain 15-057A^T represents a novel species within the evolutionary radiation of the genus Streptacidiphilus, for which the name Streptacidiphilus bronchialis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 15-057A^T (=DSM 106435^T=ATCC BAA-2934^T).

DNA Binding and Molecular Dynamic Studies of Polycyclic Tetramate Macrolactams (PTM) with Potential Anticancer Activity Isolated from a Sponge-Associated Streptomyces zhaozhouensis subsp. mycale subsp. nov

A sponge-associated actinomycete (strain MCCB267) was isolated from a marine sponge Mycale sp. collected in the Indian Ocean off the Southeast coast of India. Phylogenetic studies of this strain using 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed high sequence similarity to Streptomyces zhaozhouensis. However, strain MCCB267 showed distinct physiological and biochemical characteristic features and was thus designated as S. zhaozhouensis subsp. mycale. subsp. nov. A cytotoxicity-guided fractionation of the crude ethyl acetate extract of strain MCCB267 culture medium yielded four pure compounds belonging to the polycyclic tetramate macrolactam (PTM) family of natural products: ikarugamycin (IK) (1), clifednamide A (CF) (2), 30-oxo-28-N-methylikarugamycin (OI) (3), and 28-N-methylikarugamycin (MI) (4). The four compounds exhibited promising cytotoxic activity against NCI-H460 lung carcinoma cells in vitro, by inducing cell death via apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that 1, 3, and 4 induced cell cycle arrest during G1 phase in the NCI-H460 cell line, whereas 2 induced cell arrest in the S phase. A concentration-dependent accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase was also detected upon treatment of the cancer cell line with compounds 1-4. The in vitro cytotoxicity studies were supported by molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation analyses. An in silico study revealed that the PTMs can bind to the minor groove of DNA and subsequently induce the apoptotic stimuli leading to cell death. The characterization of the isolated actinomycete, the study of the mode of action of the four PTMs, 1-4, and the molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations analyses are herein described.

The occurrence of potato common scab correlates with the community composition and function of the geocaulosphere soil microbiome

BACKGROUND

Soil microorganisms can mediate the occurrence of plant diseases. Potato common scab (CS) is a refractory disease caused by pathogenic Streptomyces that occurs worldwide, but little is known about the interactions between CS and the soil microbiome. In this study, four soil-root system compartments (geocaulosphere soil (GS), rhizosphere soil (RS), root-zone soil (ZS), and furrow soil (FS)) were analyzed for potato plants with naturally high (H) and low (L) scab severity levels. We aimed to determine the composition and putative function of the soil microbiome associated with potato CS.

RESULTS

The copy numbers of the scab phytotoxin biosynthetic gene txtAB and the bacterial 16S rRNA gene as well as the diversity and composition of each of the four soil-root system compartments were examined; GS was the only compartment that exhibited significant differences between the H and L groups. Compared to the H group, the L group exhibited a lower txtAB gene copy number, lower bacterial 16S copy number, higher diversity, higher co-occurrence network complexity, and higher community function similarity within the GS microbiome. The community composition and function of the GS samples were further revealed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Variovorax, Stenotrophomonas, and Agrobacterium were the most abundant genera that were significantly and positively correlated with the scab severity level, estimated absolute abundance (EAA) of pathogenic Streptomyces, and txtAB gene copy number. In contrast, Geobacillus, Curtobacterium, and unclassified Geodermatophilaceae were significantly negatively correlated with these three parameters. Compared to the function profiles in the L group, several genes involved in "ABC transporters," the "bacterial secretion system," "quorum sensing (QS)," "nitrogen metabolism," and some metabolism by cytochrome P450 were enriched in the H group. In contrast, some antibiotic biosynthesis pathways were enriched in the L group. Based on the differences in community composition and function, a simple model was proposed to explain the putative relationships between the soil microbiome and CS occurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The GS microbiome was closely associated with CS severity in the soil-root system, and the occurrence of CS was accompanied by changes in community composition and function. The differential functions provide new clues to elucidate the mechanism underlying the interaction between CS occurrence and the soil microbiome, and varying community compositions provide novel insights into CS occurrence.

Identification of a novel strain, Streptomyces blastmyceticus JZB130180, and evaluation of its biocontrol efficacy against Monilinia fructicola

Peach brown rot, caused by Monilinia fructicola, is one of the most serious peach diseases. A strain belonging to the Actinomycetales, named Streptomyces blastmyceticus JZB130180, was found to have a strong inhibitory effect on M. fructicola in confrontation culture. Following the inoculation of peaches in vitro, it was revealed that the fermentation broth of S. blastmyceticus JZB130180 had a significant inhibitory effect on disease development by M. fructicola. The fermentation broth of S. blastmyceticus JZB130180 had an EC50 (concentration for 50% of maximal effect) of 38.3 µg/mL against M. fructicola, as determined in an indoor toxicity test. Analysis of the physicochemical properties of the fermentation broth revealed that it was tolerant of acid and alkaline conditions, temperature, and ultraviolet radiation. In addition, chitinase, cellulase, and protease were also found to be secreted by the strain. The results of this study suggest that S. blastmyceticus JZB130180 may be used for the biocontrol of peach brown rot.

Streptomyces sp. strain SK68, isolated from peanut rhizosphere, promotes growth and alleviates salt stress in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom)

A novel actinobacterium, strain SK68, was isolated from the rhizosphere of peanut plant and its salinity stress alleviation ability was studied using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom) plants. Based on 16S rDNA based phylogenetic analysis, strain SK68 has been identified as a Streptomyces sp. Strain SK68 had branched substrate mycelium bearing smooth surfaced spores and the spore colour is brownish grey on ISP4 medium. It exhibited enzyme activities such as xylanase, cellulase, amylase, and pectinase and degraded hypoxanthine, casein, and L-tyrosine. The strain SK68 differed in its banding pattern in BOX-PCR and RAPD fingerprinting compared to the closely matching type strains Streptomyces erythrochromogenes NBRC 3304^T (AB184746), S. flavotricini NBRC 12770^T (AB184132), S. racemochromogenes NBRC 12906^T (AB184235), and S. polychromogenes NBRC 13072^T (NR041109). Strain SK68 was evaluated for its salinity stress-alleviating activity in tomato plants with 180 mmol/L NaCl under gnotobiotic condition. A significant increase in plant biomass was observed in strain SK68-inoculated tomato plants under salt stress compared to control and salt-stressed non-inoculated plants.

Streptomyces polaris sp. nov. and Streptomyces septentrionalis sp. nov., isolated from frozen soil

Two novel actinomycetes, designated strains ZLN81^T and ZLN712^T, were isolated from a frozen soil sample which was collected from the Arctic region. Chemotaxonomic and morphological characteristics were found to be typical of members of the genus Streptomyces. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, the two strains show high similarity with Streptomyces polygonati NEAU-G9^T (99.45%, 99.17%) and Streptomyces yanglinensis 1307^T (98.17%, 98.10%). DNA-DNA relatedness between each of the strains and their close phylogenetic neighbours showed that they belonged to distinct species. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using four housekeeping genes (atpD, gyrB, recA and rpoB) for comparing Streptomyces type strains showed that the MLSA distance of strains ZLN81^T and ZLN712^T to the closely related species was greater than the 0.007 threshold. The cell wall amino acids of the two strains were identified as alanine, glycine, asparagine, ll-diaminopimelic acid and meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole cell sugars were identified as galactose and glucose for strain ZLN81^T and galactose, glucose and xylose for strain ZLN712^T. The predominant menaquinones were identified as MK-10(H₈), MK-9(H₄) and MK-9(H₆) for strain ZLN81^T and MK-9(H₀), MK-10(H₈) and MK-9(H₆) for strain ZLN712^T. The polar lipid profile of strain ZLN81^T was found to contain diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and two unidentified phospholipids, while that of strain ZLN712^T consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, a ninhydrin-positive glycophospholipid, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and two unidentified phospholipids. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C_16:0, anteiso-C_17:0, C_16:0 and anteiso-C_15:0 for strain ZLN81^T and iso-C_16:0, C_16:0, anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_14:0 for strain ZLN712^T. The DNA G+C contents were found to be 73.96 and 72.77 mol% for strains ZLN81^T and ZLN712^T, respectively. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, strains ZLN81^T (= CCTCC AA 2018010^T = DSM 107255^T) and ZLN712^T (= CCTCC AA 2018011^T = DSM 107266^T) are concluded to represent two novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the names Streptomyces polaris sp. nov. and Streptomyces septentrionalis sp. nov. are proposed, respectively.

Comprehensive optimization of precursor-directed production of BC194 by Streptomyces rochei MB037 derived from the marine sponge Dysidea arenaria

BC194, a derivative of borrelidin (BN) that features a lower cytotoxicity than that of BN due to an altered starter unit, trans-1,2-cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid (trans-1,2-CBDA), is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. However, BC194 production has only been reported to occur via mutasynthesis, which requires tedious, multistep genetic manipulation. In this study, we surveyed several factors contributing to the precursor-directed biosynthesis of BC194 and provided an alternative method for the production of BC194 that is directly applicable to other BN-producing strains. First, the precursor-directed biosynthesis of BC194 by a BN-producing strain, Streptomyces rochei MB037 derived from sponge Dysidea arenaria, was carried out in modified Radix astragali (RA) medium with 5 mM trans-1,2-CBDA. Next, possible inhibitors of BN starter unit trans-1,2-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid (trans-1,2-CPDA) biosynthesis were investigated. It was found that potassium ferricyanide was a possible inhibitor of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate 2,3-dioxygenase (DHPAO) and capable of suppressing the yield of BN and increasing the BC194 yield by 112.5% (from 5.2 ± 0.76 to 11.9 ± 0.59 mg/L). BC194 yield was further enhanced in the presence of 50 mM trans-1,2-CBDA, reaching 20.2 ± 0.62 mg/L. Furthermore, 3% macroporous adsorbent DA-201 resin was added to the fermentation broth, enabling a further 36.6% increase in BC194 production and reaching 27.59 ± 1.15 mg/L. Moreover, an efficient separation of BC194 with approximately 95% purity was developed by employing high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC), achieving an improved recovery (approximately 93%).

Antimicrobial potentiality of actinobacteria isolated from two microbiologically unexplored forest ecosystems of Northeast India

BACKGROUND

Actinobacteria are often known to be great producers of antibiotics. The rapid increase in the global burden of antibiotic-resistance with the concurrent decline in the discovery of new antimicrobial molecules necessitates the search for novel and effective antimicrobial metabolites from unexplored ecological niches. The present study investigated the antimicrobial producing actinobacterial strains isolated from the soils of two microbiologically unexplored forest ecosystems, viz. Nameri National Park (NNP) and Panidehing Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS), located in the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity hotspot region.

RESULTS

A total of 172 putative isolates of actinobacteria were isolated, of which 24 isolates showed strong antimicrobial bioactivity. Evaluation of the ethyl acetate extracts of culture supernatants against test microbial strains revealed that isolates PWS22, PWS41, PWS12, PWS52, PWS11, NNPR15, NNPR38, and NNPR69 were the potent producers of antimicrobial metabolites. The antimicrobial isolates dominantly belonged to Streptomyces, followed by Nocardia and Streptosporangium. Some of these isolates could be putative novel taxa. Analysis of the antimicrobial biosynthetic genes (type II polyketide synthase and nonribosomal peptide synthetase genes) showed that the antimicrobial metabolites were associated with pigment production and belonged to known families of bioactive secondary metabolites. Characterization of the antimicrobial metabolites of Streptomyces sp. PWS52, which showed lowest taxonomic identity among the studied potent antimicrobial metabolite producers, and their interaction with the test strains using GC-MS, UHPLC-MS, and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the potential bioactivity of PWS52 was due to the production of active antifungal and antibacterial metabolites like 2,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) phenol, benzeneacetic acid and nalidixic acid.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the unexplored soil habitats of NNP and PWS forest ecosystems of Northeast India harbor previously undescribed actinobacteria with the capability to produce diverse antimicrobial metabolites that may be explored to overcome the rapidly rising global concern about antibiotic-resistance.

Streptomyces aqsuensis sp. nov., isolated from ditch sediment in Xinjiang, China

A novel actinobacterium, designated TRM46399^T, was isolated from ditch sediment in Xinjiang Province, Northwest China. Phylogenetic, physiological, chemotaxonomic and morphological analyses demonstrated that strain TRM46399^T belonged to the genus Streptomyces. The strain was aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, had aerial mycelia that branched monopodially and formed chains of arthrospores. The spores were oval to cylindrical with smooth surfaces. The strain had an optimum NaCl concentration for growth of 5 % (w/v). The whole-cell sugar pattern of TRM46399^T consisted of ribose, xylose, mannose and galactose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H10). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. Major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 (47.8 %), iso-C14 : 0 (13.5 %), C16 : 0 (8.9 %), anteiso-C15 : 0 (8.4 %), anteiso-C17 : 0 (4.2 %) and C17 : 0cyclo (2.7 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 68.7 mol%. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain TRM46399^T (KY688182) was phylogenetically most closely related to Streptomyces xinghaiensis S187^T (99.13 % sequence similarity); however, DNA-DNA hybridization studies between stain TRM46399^T and S. xinhaiensis S187^T showed only 65.32 % relatedness. Based on the evidence from this polyphasic study, strain TRM46399^T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces aqsuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM46399^T (=KCTC 39610 ^T=CCTCC AA 2015009^T).

Diversity of nonribosomal peptide synthetase and polyketide synthase gene clusters among taxonomically close Streptomyces strains

To identify the species of butyrolactol-producing Streptomyces strain TP-A0882, whole genome-sequencing of three type strains in a close taxonomic relationship was performed. In silico DNA-DNA hybridization using the genome sequences suggested that Streptomyces sp. TP-A0882 is classified as Streptomyces diastaticus subsp. ardesiacus. Strain TP-A0882, S. diastaticus subsp. ardesiacus NBRC 15402T, Streptomyces coelicoflavus NBRC 15399T, and Streptomyces rubrogriseus NBRC 15455T harbor at least 14, 14, 10, and 12 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), respectively, coding for nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) and polyketide synthases (PKSs). All 14 gene clusters were shared by S. diastaticus subsp. ardesiacus strains TP-A0882 and NBRC 15402T, while only four gene clusters were shared by the three distinct species. Although BGCs for bacteriocin, ectoine, indole, melanine, siderophores such as deferrioxamine, terpenes such as albaflavenone, hopene, carotenoid and geosmin are shared by the three species, many BGCs for secondary metabolites such as butyrolactone, lantipeptides, oligosaccharide, some terpenes are species-specific. These results indicate the possibility that strains belonging to the same species possess the same set of secondary metabolite-biosynthetic pathways, whereas strains belonging to distinct species have species-specific pathways, in addition to some common pathways, even if the strains are taxonomically close.

Streptomyces luridus So3.2 from Antarctic soil as a novel producer of compounds with bioemulsification potential

The present study aimed to identify novel microbial producers of bioemulsificant compounds from Antarctic soils. Fifty-nine microbial strains were isolated from five different locations at South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, and screened for biosurfactant production by β-hemolytic activity. Strain So 3.2 was determined as bioemulsifier-producer and identified by phenotypic and molecular characterization as Streptomyces luridus. Emulsification activity, oil displacement method and drop-collapsing test were performed to evaluate the biosurfactant activity with different oils and hydrocarbons using two different culture media (Luria Bertani and Bushnell Haas in the presence of different carbon sources: glucose, glycerol, olive oil and n-Hexadecane). Cell free supernatant of Bushnell Haas culture supplemented with n-Hexadecane showed the best results for all tests. Emulsification of hydrocarbons exceeded 60%, reaching up to 90% on oil with high API grade, while displacement tests ranged from 8 cm to 4 cm in diameter according the culture media and tested oils. Our results revealed that Streptomyces luridus So3.2 is able to produce bioemulsifiers capable of emulsifying hydrocarbons and oils, which could be used in different biotechnological applications, particularly for bioremediation of environments contaminated by oil leaks.

Phenolic compounds as antioxidants and chemopreventive drugs from Streptomyces cellulosae strain TES17 isolated from rhizosphere of Camellia sinensis

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress in an intracellular environment created by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species results in oxidative damage to biomolecules which ultimately become a hallmark for severe diseases like cancer, aging, diabetes, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.

METHODS

Various in vitro assays were employed to assess the antioxidant potential of strain, DNA protective activity was demonstrated using DNA nicking assay and cytotoxicity of the extract was evaluated using MTT assay. Further identification of the compounds was done using UPLC analysis.

RESULTS

The extract of Streptomyces cellulosae strain TES17 demonstrated significant antioxidant activity with percentage inhibition of 78.47 ± 0.23, 91.08 ± 0.98 and 82.08 ± 0.93 for DPPH, ABTS and superoxide radical assays at 5 mg/mL, respectively. Total antioxidant and reducing power were found to be 76.93 ± 0.76 and 231.96 ± 0.51 mg AAE/100 mg of dry extract, respectively. Moreover, the extract was shown to inhibit lipid peroxidation upto 67.18 ± 1.9% at 5 mg/mL. TPC and TFC measured in the extract was 55 mg GAE/100 mg and 11.17 ± 4.05 mg rutin/100 mg, respectively. The protective nature of the TES17 extract to oxidative stress induced damaged DNA was shown by percentage of supercoiled DNA i.e. Form I was increased from 26.38 to 38.20% at concentrations ranging from 2 μg to 10 μg. TES17 extract also showed the cytotoxic activity against lung cancer cell line with 74.7 ± 1.33% inhibition whereas, limited toxicity was observed against normal cell line with percentage viability of 87.71 ± 6.66 at same concentration (30 μg/mL) tested. The antioxidant capacity of extract was well correlated with its TPC and TFC and this in turn was in keeping with the UPLC analysis which also revealed the presence of phenolic compounds that were responsible for the antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of S. cellulosae strain TES17.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study describes that S. cellulosae strain TES17 isolated from the rhizosphere of Camellia sinensis (tea) plant; produces potent compounds with antioxidant activity, further might be developed into therapeutic drugs to combat oxidative stress.

Inter- and intracellular colonization of Arabidopsis roots by endophytic actinobacteria and the impact of plant hormones on their antimicrobial activity

Many actinobacteria live in close association with eukaryotes such as fungi, insects, animals and plants. Plant-associated actinobacteria display (endo)symbiotic, saprophytic or pathogenic life styles, and can make up a substantial part of the endophytic community. Here, we characterised endophytic actinobacteria isolated from root tissue of Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) plants grown in soil from a natural ecosystem. Many of these actinobacteria belong to the family of Streptomycetaceae with Streptomyces olivochromogenes and Streptomyces clavifer as well represented species. When seeds of Arabidopsis were inoculated with spores of Streptomyces strain coa1, which shows high similarity to S. olivochromogenes, roots were colonised intercellularly and, unexpectedly, also intracellularly. Subsequent exposure of endophytic isolates to plant hormones typically found in root and shoot tissues of Arabidopsis led to altered antibiotic production against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Taken together, our work reveals remarkable colonization patterns of endophytic streptomycetes with specific traits that may allow a competitive advantage inside root tissue.

Characterization of Musty Odor-Producing Actinomycetes from Tropics and Effects of Temperature on the Production of Musty Odor Compounds

Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) outbreaks in tropical water bodies, such as Southeast Asia, by actinomycetes have not yet been elucidated in detail. Six Streptomyces isolates from lowland environments in Malaysia were selected and evaluated for their odor production under different temperatures. The gene responsible for the production of geosmin, geoA, was detected in all isolates, while only two isolates harbored tpc, which is responsible for 2-MIB production. This result suggested that geosmin and 2-MIB synthesis pathway genes already existed in the environment in the Tropics of Southeast Asia. Furthermore, our isolates produced musty odor compounds at 30°C, and differences were observed in musty odor production between various temperatures. This result indicated the potential for odor episodes in water bodies of the tropical countries of Southeast Asia throughout the year due to the mean annual ambient temperature of 27°C in the lowlands.

Bioactive Bafilomycins and a New N-Arylpyrazinone Derivative from Marine-derived Streptomyces sp. HZP-2216E

A MeOH extract prepared from culture of an actinomycete Streptomyces sp. HZP-2216E isolated from marine green algae Ulva pertusa was found to significantly inhibit proliferation of human glioma cells. Two different media were applied to culture this marine actinomycete, which produced two new compounds of 23-O-butyrylbafilomycin D and streptoarylpyrazinone A, together with known bafilomycin D, 9-hydroxybafilomycin D, and bafilomycin A₁. Structures of new compounds were determined by extensive NMR spectroscopic analyses and HRESIMS data. Bioactive assay indicated that all isolated bafilomycins significantly inhibited the proliferation of different glioma cell lines and the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with 23-O-butyrylbafilomycin D as the most active compound. Streptoarylpyrazinone A is a new N-arylpyrazinone derivative existing as a zwitterion, and this type of compounds was rarely found from natural resources.

Multiple Streptomyces species with distinct secondary metabolomes have identical 16S rRNA gene sequences

Microbial diversity studies using small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequences continue to advance our understanding of biological and ecological systems. Although a good predictor of overall diversity, using this gene to infer the presence of a species in a sample is more controversial. Here, we present a detailed polyphasic analysis of 10 bacterial strains isolated from three coastal lichens Lichina confinis, Lichina pygmaea and Roccella fuciformis with SSU rRNA gene sequences identical to the type strain of Streptomyces cyaneofuscatus. This analysis included phenotypic, microscopic, genetic and genomic comparisons and showed that despite their identical SSU rRNA sequences the strains had markedly different properties, and could be distinguished as 5 different species. Significantly, secondary metabolites profiles from these strains were also found to be different. It is thus clear that SSU rRNA based operational taxonomy units, even at the most stringent cut-off can represent multiple bacterial species, and that at least for the case of Streptomyces, strain de-replication based on SSU gene sequences prior to screening for bioactive molecules can miss potentially interesting novel molecules produced by this group that is notorious for the production of drug-leads.

Streptomyces cerasinus sp. nov., isolated from soil in Thailand

A novel actinomycete, strain SR3-134^T, belonging to the genus Streptomyces, was isolated from soil collected from the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. The taxonomic position of the strain was characterized by using a polyphasic approach. ll-Diaminopimelic acid, glucose, mannose and ribose were detected in its whole-cell hydrolysates. The N-acyl type of muramic acid was acetyl. The menaquinones were MK-9(H8), MK-9(H6), MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H2). The predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C14 : 0. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. blast analysis of the almost-complete 16S rRNA gene showed 98.7 % sequence similarities to Streptomyces lanatus JCM 4588^T and Streptomyces psammoticus JCM 4434^T. The DNA G+C content was 71.4 mol%. Strain SR3-134^T showed low DNA-DNA relatedness (12.9±4.0-44.1±1.0 %) to S. lanatus JCM 4588^T and S. psammoticus JCM 4434^T. The new strain could also be distinguished from its closely related strains by differences in their phenotypic characteristics. The results of taxonomic analysis suggested that strain SR3-134^T represented a novel species of the genus Streptomyces for which the name Streptomyces cerasinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SR3-134^T (=TISTR 2494^T=KCTC 39910^T).