Actinobacteria from Antarctica as a source for anticancer discovery

Although many advances have been achieved to treat aggressive tumours, cancer remains a leading cause of death and a public health problem worldwide. Among the main approaches for the discovery of new bioactive agents, the prospect of microbial secondary metabolites represents an effective source for the development of drug leads. In this study, we investigated the actinobacterial diversity associated with an endemic Antarctic species, Deschampsia antarctica, by integrated culture-dependent and culture-independent methods and acknowledged this niche as a reservoir of bioactive strains for the production of antitumour compounds. The 16S rRNA-based analysis showed the predominance of the Actinomycetales order, a well-known group of bioactive metabolite producers belonging to the Actinobacteria phylum. Cultivation techniques were applied, and 72 psychrotolerant Actinobacteria strains belonging to the genera Actinoplanes, Arthrobacter, Kribbella, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Pilimelia, Pseudarthrobacter, Rhodococcus, Streptacidiphilus, Streptomyces and Tsukamurella were identified. The secondary metabolites were screened, and 17 isolates were identified as promising antitumour compound producers. However, the bio-guided assay showed a pronounced antiproliferative activity for the crude extracts of Streptomyces sp. CMAA 1527 and Streptomyces sp. CMAA 1653. The TGI and LC50 values revealed the potential of these natural products to control the proliferation of breast (MCF-7), glioblastoma (U251), lung/non-small (NCI-H460) and kidney (786-0) human cancer cell lines. Cinerubin B and actinomycin V were the predominant compounds identified in Streptomyces sp. CMAA 1527 and Streptomyces sp. CMAA 1653, respectively. Our results suggest that the rhizosphere of D. antarctica represents a prominent reservoir of bioactive actinobacteria strains and reveals it as an important environment for potential antitumour agents.

Identification and characterization of soil-isolated Streptomyces SJE177 producing actinomycin

One hundred seventy-seven actinomycetes strains were isolated from soils collected from fruit orchards in Thailand. All were tested for antibacterial activity against seven pathogenic bacteria using co-cultivation methods. Forty strains (22.6%) were active against at least one indicator bacteria. Twenty-seven strains (15.3%) inhibited only gram-positive bacteria, four strains (2.3%) inhibited only gram-negative bacteria, and nine strains (5.1%) showed activity against both. Strain SJE177 had potent activity against all tested bacteria, and was selected for further investigation. A crude ethyl acetate extract of this strain retained inhibitory activity as tested by disk-diffusion method. Analysis of morphological and biochemical characteristics and the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated this strain belonged to the genus Streptomyces. The strain formed a monophyletic line in a phylogenetic tree of 16S rRNA gene sequences with other Streptomyces reference strains. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed SJE177 produced actinomycin. Since many isolates showed inhibitory activity against indicator bacteria, these results suggest Thai soil could be an interesting source to explore for antibacterial substances.

Optimization of medium composition for actinomycin X2 production by Streptomyces spp JAU4234 using response surface methodology

The effects of cultivation medium compositions including soybean meal, peptone, soybean oil and cornstarch for actinomycin X2 production by Streptomyces spp JAU4234 were accessed by using response surface methodology. The 2(4) full factorial designs and the paths of steepest ascent were effective in searching for the major factors of actinomycin X2 production. In this study, cornstarch and soybean oil showed negative effect on actinomycin X2 production based on the first-order regression coefficients derived from MINITAB software. Subsequently, a central composite design for optimization was further investigated. Preliminary studies showed that soybean meal and peptone were believed to be the major factors for actinomycin X2 production. Estimated optimum compositions for the production of actionmycin X2 were as follows (g/l): soybean meal 21.65 and peptone 9.41, and result in a maximum actionmycin X2 production of 617.4 mg/l. This value was closed to the 612 mg/l actionmycin X2 production from actual experimental observations. The yield of actionmycin X2 was increased by 36.9% by culturing the strain Streptomyces spp JAU4234 in the nutritionally optimized fermentation medium.

Nutritional regulation of actinomycin-D production by a new isolate of Streptomyces sindenensis using statistical methods

Production of actinomycin-D, by an isolate, S. sindenensis, was optimized by statistical methods. Fructose peptone and NaNO3 were found to be critical for antibiotic production. In the second step, their concentrations were optimized with Central Composite Design and Response Surface Methodology. Fructose, peptone and NaNO3 at 2.55, 0.309 and 0.114% respectively gave approximately 261% higher yield (289 mg/l). Cultivation in fermentor at 600 rpm agitation and 1.5 vvm aeration with optimized medium gave 3.56 folds higher yield (365 mg/l) as compared to the yields in shake flasks using normal production medium (80 mg/l).

Characterization of Streptomyces MITKK-103, a newly isolated actinomycin X2-producer

A new actinomycete strain designated MITKK-103 was isolated from the soil of a flowerpot using a humic acid agar medium. The newly isolated strain was able to produce a large amount of actinomycin X2 even under nonoptimized growing conditions and serves as a promising source of this antibiotic. Actinomycin X2 has higher cytotoxicity toward cultured human leukemia (HL-60) cells than does actinomycin D, and it induces cell death via apoptosis. A nearly complete 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence from the isolate was determined and found to have high identity (98.5-100%) with Streptomyces galbus, Streptomyces griseofuscus, and Streptomyces padanus, indicating that MITKK-103 belongs to the genus Streptomyces. The isolate clustered with species belonging to the S. padanus clade in a 16S-rDNA-based phylogenetic tree and showed 75% overall homology to S. padanus ATCC 25646 in DNA-DNA relatedness analysis. Although the growth of the isolate was somewhat different from the three species mentioned, the strain MITKK-103 most closely resembles S. padanus on the basis of the morphological and phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis, and genotypic data. As such, this is the first report of a strain of S. padanus capable of producing actinomycins.

Oxidative cascades: a facile biosynthetic strategy for the assembly of complex molecules

Electron-rich aromatic compounds undergo a facile tandem reaction sequence involving an iterative two-electron oxidation/aromatization. This review will describe the application of this motif to the synthesis of dimethylbenzimidazole, pyoverdine, actinomycin, cystodytin, pyrroloquinoline quinone, and the cataract pigment.

Microbial antibiotic production aboard the International Space Station

Previous studies examining metabolic characteristics of bacterial cultures have mostly suggested that reduced gravity is advantageous for microbial growth. As a consequence, the question of whether space flight would similarly enhance secondary metabolite production was raised. Results from three prior space shuttle experiments indicated that antibiotic production was stimulated in space for two different microbial systems, albeit under suboptimal growth conditions. The goal of this latest experiment was to determine whether the enhanced productivity would also occur with better growth conditions and over longer durations of weightlessness. Microbial antibiotic production was examined onboard the International Space Station during the 72-day 8A increment. Findings of increased productivity of actinomycin D by Streptomyces plicatus in space corroborated with previous findings for the early sample points (days 8 and 12); however, the flight production levels were lower than the matched ground control samples for the remainder of the mission. The overall goal of this research program is to elucidate the specific mechanisms responsible for the initial stimulation of productivity in space and translate this knowledge into methods for improving efficiency of commercial production facilities on Earth.

Kinetics and mechanism of the ferroxime(ii)-catalysed biomimetic oxidation of 2-aminophenol by dioxygen. A functional phenoxazinone synthase model

[Fe(Hdmg)(2)(MeIm)(2)](1), referred to as ferroxime(II), is the precursor of a selective catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of 2-aminophenol (Hap) to 2-amino-3H-phenoxazine-3-one (apx) by dioxygen under ambient conditions. The superoxoferroxime(III) species has been detected by ES-MS, and a 4-substituted 2-aminophenoxyl free radical by the ESR technique. The kinetics of the reaction was followed spectrophotometrically and by monitoring dioxygen uptake at constant pressure. According to the proposed mechanism, solvolysis of 1 is followed by O(2) binding to afford a superoxoferroxime, which abstracts an H-atom from Hap in the rate-determining step via an H-bonded intermediate, generating the free radical. This is supported by the observed primary deuterium kinetic isotope effect of 2.63. The system studied is a functional phenoxazinone synthase model.

Overexpression of the polynucleotide phosphorylase gene (pnp) of Streptomyces antibioticus affects mRNA stability and poly(A) tail length but not ppGpp levels

The pnp gene, encoding the enzyme polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase), was overexpressed in the actinomycin producer Streptomyces antibioticus. Integration of pIJ8600, bearing the thiostrepton-inducible tipA promoter, and its derivatives containing pnp into the S. antibioticus chromosome dramatically increased the growth rate of the resulting strains as compared with the parent strain. Thiostrepton induction of a strain containing pJSE340, bearing pnp with a 5'-flanking region containing an endogenous promoter, led to a 2.5-3 fold increase in PNPase activity levels, compared with controls. Induction of a strain containing pJSE343, with only the pnp ORF and some 3'-flanking sequence, led to lower levels of PNPase activity and a different pattern of pnp expression compared with pJSE340. Induction of pnp from pJSE340 resulted in a decrease in the chemical half-life of bulk mRNA and a decrease in poly(A) tail length as compared to RNAs from controls. Actinomycin production decreased in strains overexpressing pnp as compared with controls but it was not possible to attribute this decrease specifically to the increase in PNPase levels. Overexpression of pnp had no effect on ppGpp levels in the relevant strains. It was observed that the 3'-tails associated with RNAs from S. antibioticus are heteropolymeric. The authors argue that those tails are synthesized by PNPase rather than by a poly(A) polymerase similar to that found in Escherichia coli and that PNPase may be the sole RNA 3'-polynucleotide polymerase in streptomycetes.

The effect of space flight on the production of actinomycin D by Streptomyces plicatus

The effect of space flight on production of the antibiotic actinomycin D by Streptomyces plicatus WC56452 was examined onboard the US Space Shuttle mission STS-80. Paired space flight and ground control samples were similarly prepared using identical hardware, media, and inoculum. The cultures were grown in defined and complex media under dark, anaerobic, thermally controlled (20 degrees C) conditions with samples fixed after 7 and 12 days in orbit, and viable residuals maintained through landing at 17 days, 15 h. Postflight analyses indicated that space flight had reduced the colony-forming unit (CFU) per milliliter count of S. plicatus and increased the specific productivity (pg CFU(-1)) of actinomycin D. The antibiotic compound itself was not affected, but its production time course was altered in space. Viable flight samples also maintained their sporulation ability when plated on agar medium postflight, while the residual ground controls did not sporulate.

[Morphology of Streptomyces chrysomallus microcolonies in submerged cultivating]

Gel matrix covering microcolonies and individual hyfs and cords of mycelial hyfs was for the first type detected using a special method for making preparations for microscopic examinations. The matrix is observed during culturing streptomycetes in media of different composition for mycelium of different age. Gel matrix renders the colonies a compact shape and can be regarded as a specific structural component of Streptomyces microcolonies. The matrix contains gels differing by hydrophobicity and low-molecular-weight biosynthesis products, including actinomycin antibiotics, which play an important role in maintenance of morphological structure.

[Biosynthes of polyketide antibiotics by various actinomycin producing Streptomyces species]

A collection of actinomycin-producing Streptomyces strains, their variants with different levels of antibiotic biosynthesis, and recombinant strains were screened in order to select new strains that produce polyketide antibiotics. Screening with the use of the cloned act gene encoding a component of actinorhodin polyketide synthase (PKS) multienzyme complex from Streptomyces coelicolor revealed that many strains tested can synthesize polyketide antibiotics along with actinomycins. A relationship between biosynthetic pathways of actinomycins and polyketides is discussed.

[The effect of protoplast formation on the antibiotic activity and composition of the actinomycin complex in a strain of Streptomyces galbus (F) subsp. achromogenes 695 and in its active variants]

Protoplasting and regeneration promoted variation by the antibiotic production property in Streptomyces galbus (F) subsp. achromogenes 695 and its active variants 695-3-2 and 695-3-2-206. Variant 695-P24 with the potency 2 times higher than that of the initial strain 695 revertants was selected. No variants lacking the capacity for biosynthesis of the main components of antibiotic A-695 were detected among the revertants still, protoplasting of strains 695-3-2-206 and 695-P24 resulted in formation of variants synthesizing new components of the actinomycin complex.

Actinomycin production persists in a strain of Streptomyces antibioticus lacking phenoxazinone synthase

Truncated fragments of the phenoxazinone synthase gene, phsA, were prepared by the PCR. The resulting fragments were cloned into conjugative plasmid pKC1132 and transferred to Streptomyces antibioticus by conjugation from Escherichia coli. Two of the resulting constructs were integrated into the S. antibioticus chromosome by homologous recombination, and each of the resulting strains, designated 3720/pJSE173 and 3720/pJSE174, contained a disrupted phsA gene. Strain 3720/pJSE173 grew poorly, and Southern blotting suggested that genetic changes other than the disruption of the phsA gene might have occurred during the construction of that strain. Strain 3720/pJSE174 sporulated well and grew normally on the medium used to prepare inocula for antibiotic production. Strain 3720/pJSE174 also grew as well as the wild-type strain on antibiotic production medium containing either 1 or 5.7 mM phosphate. Strain 3720/pJSE174 was shown to be devoid of phenoxazinone synthase (PHS) activity, and PHS protein was undetectable in this strain by Western blotting. Despite the absence of detectable PHS activity, strain 3720/pJSE174 produced slightly more actinomycin than did the wild-type parent strain in medium containing 1 or 5.7 mM phosphate. The observation that strain 3720/pJSE174, lacking detectable PHS protein or enzyme activity, retained the ability to produce actinomycin supports the conclusion that PHS is not required for actinomycin biosynthesis in S. antibioticus.

[The effect of heat shock on the formation and composition of actinomycins]

The effect of various conditions of heat shock on production of actinomycins by Streptomyces chrysomallus 2 and their composition was studied. The actinomycin biosynthesis was shown to be the function of the growing mycelium and changed in accordance with changes in the volume of the mycelium and its morphological features after heat shock at various suboptimal temperatures. The temperature shock had a specific action on the antibiotic synthesis: the index of the actinomycin maximum quantity increased after the heat shock at 35 and 38 degrees C and lowered more sharply than that of the biomass volume after the heat shock at the temperatures of 40, 42, 45 and 50 degrees C for 1 hour. After the shock at 38 degrees C the component composition of the actinomycin complex did not significantly change while with addition of exogenic amino acids such as L-valine, L-leucine and L-isoleucine the shock effect on the component composition of the actinomycin complex was marked.

Construction and in vitro analysis of a new bi-modular polypeptide synthetase for synthesis of N-methylated acyl peptides

BACKGROUND

Many active peptides are synthesized by nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), large multimodular enzymes. Each module incorporates one amino acid, and is composed of two domains: an activation domain that activates the substrate amino acid and a condensation domain for peptide-bond formation. Activation domains sometimes contain additional activities (e.g. N-methylation or epimerization). Novel peptides can be generated by swapping domains. Exchange of domains containing N-methylation activity has not been reported, however.

RESULTS

The actinomycin NRPS was used to investigate domain swapping. The first two amino acids of actinomycin are threonine and valine. We replaced the valine activation domain of module 2 with an N-methyl valine (MeVal) activation domain. The recombinant NRPS (AcmTmVe) catalyzes the formation of threonyl-valine. In the presence of S-adenosyl-methionine, valine was converted to MeVal but subsequent dipeptide formation was blocked. When acyl-threonine (the natural intermediate) was present at module 1, formation of acyl-threonine-MeVal occurred. The epimerization domain of AcmTmVe was impaired.

CONCLUSIONS

A simple activation domain can be replaced by one with N-methylation activity. The same condensation domain can catalyze peptide-bond formation between N-methyl and nonmethylated amino acids. Modification of the upstream amino acid (i.e. acylation of threonine), however, was required for condensation with MeVal. Steric hindrance reduces chemical reactivity of N-methyl amino acids - perfect substrate positioning may only be achieved with acylated threonine. Loss of the epimerase activity of AcmTmVe suggests N-methyltransferase and epimerase domains, not found together naturally, are incompatible.

Correlation of actinomycin X2 to the lipid profile in static and shaken cultures of Streptomyces nasri strain YG62

Streptomyces nasri strain YG62 produces a broad-spectrum antibiotic designated actinomycin X2. The influence of static and shaken incubation on the production of actinomycin X2 and lipid profiles of S. nasri strain YG62 was investigated. It was found that shaken incubation was superior to the static process for both actinomycin X2 (2-fold) and total lipids (1.6-fold). Triglyceride and phospholipid levels paralleled the actinomycin X2 production with an increase in the triglyceride (2.8-fold) and phospholipid (1.2-fold) concentrations in the shaken culture over the static incubation. Analysis of fatty acid patterns revealed the occurrence of a wide range of fatty acids (C10-C22). The mean percentage of total saturated fatty acids in shaken culture was higher than those of the static culture. The mean percentage of mono-unsaturated fatty acids was almost the same in both cultures. The mean percentage of the total polyunsaturated fatty acids in the static culture was slightly higher than that of the shaken culture. The polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio (P/S) was higher in the static culture compared with the shaken culture. A positive correlation was recorded between triglycerides, phospholipids and actinomycin X2. A negative correlation on the other hand, was found between fatty acids and actinomycin X2.

relA is required for actinomycin production in Streptomyces antibioticus

The relA gene from Streptomyces antibioticus has been cloned and sequenced. The gene encodes a protein with an Mr of 93,653, which is 91% identical to the corresponding protein from Streptomyces coelicolor. Disruption of S. antibioticus relA produces a strain which grows significantly more slowly on actinomycin production medium than the wild type or a disruptant to which the intact relA gene was restored. Moreover, the disruptant was unable to accumulate ppGpp to the levels observed during the normal course of growth and actinomycin production in the wild type. The strain containing the disrupted relA gene did not produce actinomycin and contained significantly lower levels of the enzyme phenoxazinone synthase than the wild-type strain. Actinomycin synthetase I, a key enzyme in the actinomycin biosynthetic pathway, was undetectable in the relA disruptant. Growth of the disruptant on low-phosphate medium did not restore actinomycin production.

Molecular characterization of the genes of actinomycin synthetase I and of a 4-methyl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid carrier protein involved in the assembly of the acylpeptide chain of actinomycin in Streptomyces

Actinomycin synthetase I (ACMS I) activates 4-methyl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, the precursor of the chromophoric moiety of the actinomycin, as adenylate. The gene acmA of ACMS I was identified upstream of the genes acmB and acmC encoding the two peptide synthetases ACMS II and ACMS III, respectively, which assemble the pentapeptide lactone rings of the antibiotic. Sequence analysis and expression of acmA in Streptomyces lividans as enzymatically active hexa-His-fusion confirmed the acmA gene product to be ACMS I. An open reading frame of 234 base pairs (acmD), which encodes a 78-amino acid protein with similarity to various acyl carrier proteins, is located downstream of acmA. The acmD gene was expressed in Escherichia coli as hexa-His-fusion protein (Acm acyl carrier protein (AcmACP)). ACMS I in the presence of ATP acylated the purified AcmACP with radioactive p-toluic acid, used as substrate in place of 4-MHA. Only 10% of the AcmACP from E. coli was acylated, suggesting insufficient modification with 4'-phosphopantetheine cofactor. Incubation of this AcmACP with a holo-ACP synthase and coenzyme A quantitatively established the holo-form of AcmACP. Enzyme assays in the presence of ACMS II showed that toluyl-AcmACP directly acylated the thioester-bound threonine on ACMS II. Thus, AcmACP is a 4-MHA carrier protein in the peptide chain initiation of actinomycin synthesis.

Actinomycin D, C2 and VII, inhibitors of Grb2-SHC interaction produced by Streptomyces

Actinomycin D, C2 and VII, cyclic peptides, inhibited Grb2 SH2 domain association (IC50 5-7 microM) with a phosphotyrosine containing peptide derived from the Shc protein (pTyr317). Actinomycins are the first examples of nonphosphorylated natural ligands of SH2 domain.

Pristinamycin I biosynthesis in Streptomyces pristinaespiralis: molecular characterization of the first two structural peptide synthetase genes

Two genes involved in the biosynthesis of the depsipeptide antibiotics pristinamycins I (PI) produced by Streptomyces pristinaespiralis were cloned and sequenced. The 1.7-kb snbA gene encodes a 3-hydroxypicolinic acid:AMP ligase, and the 7.7-kb snbC gene encodes PI synthetase 2, responsible for incorporating L-threonine and L-aminobutyric acid in the PI macrocycle. snbA and snbC, which encode the two first structural enzymes of PI synthesis, are not contiguous. Both genes are located in PI-specific transcriptional units, as disruption of one gene or the other led to PI-deficient strains producing normal levels of the polyunsaturated macrolactone antibiotic pristinamycin II, also produced by S. pristinaespiralis. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences showed that the SnbA protein is a member of the adenylate-forming enzyme superfamily and that the SnbC protein contains two amino acid-incorporating modules and a C-terminal epimerization domain. A model for the initiation of PI synthesis analogous to the established model of initiation of fatty acid synthesis is proposed.

Sigma-E is required for the production of the antibiotic actinomycin in Streptomyces antibioticus

The phsA gene encodes phenoxazinone synthase (PHS), which catalyses the penultimate step in the pathway for actinomycin biosynthesis in Streptomyces antibioticus. The phsA promoter strikingly resembles a putative Streptomyces sigma E cognate promoter, and purified E sigma E holoenzyme transcribed the phsA promoter in vitro. However, the phsA promoter was still active in an S. antibioticus sigE null mutant and the level of PHS activity was unaffected. Despite this, disruption of sigE blocked actinomycin production completely. The loss of actinomycin production correlated with a 10-fold decrease in the activity of actinomycin synthetase I, the enzyme which catalyses the activation of the precursor of the actinomycin chromophore.

[Pool of free amino acids in mycelium and culture fluid of Streptomyces galbus (F) subsp. achromogenes 695, a strain producing actinomycin complex and its variants]

Free amino acids in the mycelium and culture fluid of Streptomyces galbus (F) subsp. achromogenes 695 and its active and inactive variants were comparatively studied. It was found that the amino acid pool in the mycelium of the highly productive variant was 14 per cent higher than that of the initial strain and 40 per cent higher than that of the inactive variant. Even so, the highest amounts of the synthesized protein in the three strains were about the same. The free amino acid composition of the mycelium of the active antibiotic-producing strains and the inactive variant was shown to be the same and included all the investigated 16 amino acids. Glutamic acid was the main amino acid. The contents of alanine, serine and valine were comparatively high. The contents of methionine, histidine and phenylalanine were the lowest. It was shown that the quantities of the amino acids or their precursors participating in the construction of the antibiotic molecule were to a higher extent determined by the strain development and growth rate than by the actinomycin biosynthesis. The qualitative and quantitative composition of the amino acid pool in the culture fluid of the active strains was inferior to that in the inactive variant.

[Plasmids from certain strains of Streptomyces chrysomallus]

Plasmid content has been studied in a number of Streptomyces chrysomallus strains producers of actinomycin C. The plasmids pSCH2 and pSCH3 have been isolated from nocardia-like mutants of Streptococcus chrysomallus BKM Ac-590 that are producing antibiotics macrotetrolides, bacteriocins and an inducer analogous to A-factor in addition to actinomycin. The size of the plasmids is 13.4 and 15.1 kb as found by restriction analysis. Plasmids differ in deletion and content in the cultures. The ability of the strains to produce antibiotics depends on plasmid content.

Epimerization of the D-valine portion in the biosynthesis of actinomycin D

In the biosynthesis of actinomycin, the multifunctional actinomycin synthetase II (ACMS II) assembles 4-methyl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (4-MHA), L-threonine and D-valine, the first three residues of the 4-MHA peptide lactone chain. ACMS II activates L-threonine and L-valine but not D-valine as thioesters via their adenylates, and there is no epimerization of the covalently bound L-valine. When L-threonine and L-valine are presented to the enzyme together with the 4-MHA analogue p-toluic acid and the 4-MHA-activating enzyme ACMS I, ACMS II forms the two diastereomers p-toluyl-L-Thr-L-Val and p-toluyl-L-Thr-D-Val in equal amounts along with p-toluyl-L-Thr in a cofactor-independent manner. Studies with [2,3-3H2]valine revealed that p-toluyl-L-Thr-D-Val contained approximately 50% of the tritium label found in the LL-diastereomer. Concomitantly, radioactive water was formed due to enzyme-catalyzed hydrogen exchange with the solvent during epimerization. In the absence of threonine (or MgATP), however, the amount of radioactive water formed from [3H]valine was significantly less, which suggests that the peptide bond between L-threonine and L-valine is formed prior to the epimerization at C-2 of valine. The facts that both LL- and LD-acyldipeptides are equally present on the enzyme's surface--as revealed by using 14C-labeled threonine or valine as precursors--and that the L-valine in the LL-diastereomer apparently has not lost hydrogen strongly suggests that the LL-diastereomer is an obligatory intermediate in the formation of the LD-dipeptide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Biologically active substances formed by a number of strains of the actinomycin C producer--Streptomyces chrysomallus]

Biologically active substances produced by some strains of S. chrysomallus and their mutants with different levels of the differentiation were studied. Along with actinomycin C the strains produced macrotetrolides, bacteriocins and A factor-like substances. It was shown that the plasmid status of the strains was different. This suggested that the plasmid presence was a characteristic of the strains and the production of the studied substances was likely typical of S. chrysomallus.

The initiation of peptide formation in the biosynthesis of actinomycin

Actinomycin Synthetase II (ACMS II), which activates threonine and valine by a thioltemplate mechanism during the synthesis of the actinomycin half-molecule 4-methyl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (4-MHA) pentapeptide lactone, was purified to near homogeneity from Streptomyces chrysomallus. It is a single polypeptide chain of M(r) 280,000 and contains 4'-phosphopantetheine as a covalently bound prosthetic group. ACMS II charges itself with threonine but not with the 4-MHA analogue p-toluic acid via a specific sulfhydryl group at the expense of ATP. Charging of ACMS II with p-toluic acid in thioester linkage took place, however, only when actinomycin synthetase I (ACMS I), a 4-MHA-AMP ligase, was present. In the additional presence of L-threonine, enzyme-bound p-toluyl-L-threonine was formed on ACMS II. The latter compound was also formed when chemically synthesized p-toluic acid adenylate was added instead of ACMS I and p-toluic acid. This indicates that p-toluic acid adenylate is a free intermediate in the reaction and that charging of the enzyme and acylation of threonine are both catalyzed by ACMS II rather than by ACMS I. Chemically synthesized thioesters of p-toluic acid and coenzyme A, pantetheine, or beta-alanyl-cysteamine reacted with ACMS II, threonine, and ATP with formation of enzyme-bound p-toluyl-threonine. In contrast, p-toluyl-cysteamine thioester was inactive, which indicates structural constraints in the reactivity of free thioesters of p-toluic acid with ACMS II. Such constraints obviously require structural similarity of the artificial substrate to a p-toluic acid thioester formed on the enzyme's surface in the course of the reaction. Since free coenzyme A was not involved in the charging of p-toluic acid or in p-toluyl-threonine formation, the sulfhydryl group of the 4'-phosphopantetheine cofactor is most likely the primary acceptor of p-toluic acid (or 4-MHA) in the initiation of peptide lactone formation.

[Development of a system for cloning a DNA fragment, containing the determinant of resistance to actinomycin for Streptomyces chrysomallus No.2--a producer of actinomycin C]

To study the modes of actinomycin biosynthesis and the mechanism responsible for resistance to the antibiotic producing S. chrysomallus No. 2, the authors undertook an examination and studies into the cloning system for gene(s) of resistance to actinomycin from a S. chrysomallus No. 2 actinomycin C producer and the cloning of a S. chrysomallus No. DNA fragment to the actinomycin-sensitive Streptomyces Sp. 26-115 H-I on the vector plasmid pIJ702. The cloning gave rise to actinomycin-resistant strains. The character of actinomycin resistance is inheritable in a steady fashion.

Protactin, a new antibiotic metabolite and a possible precursor of the actinomycins

Streptomyces cucumerosporus strain L703-4 (ATCC 53784) produces a new 4-methyl-3-hydroxyanthraniloylpentapeptide lactone for which we have proposed the name protactin, in addition to several actinomycin components. Protactin is rather resistant to air oxidation but it can be converted to a new actinomycin, actinomycin Zp by ferricyanide oxidation. Actinomycin Zp possesses in vitro antibacterial activity and in vivo antitumor activity against P-388 leukemia in mice.

[Fusion of protoplasts of inactive variants of 2 producers of actinomycin C and the biosynthesis of an antibiotic of non- actinomycin nature]

Fusion of protoplasts of double auxotrophic mutants of spontaneous inactive variants of two cultures producing actinomycin C, i.e. Streptomyces chrysomalus 305 and Streptomyces sp. 26-115 induced by PEG-600 yielded a number of stable recombinants. One of the recombinants requiring proline for its growth was designated as recPro. Unlike its parent strains, it synthesized an antibiotic substance active against gram-positive bacteria and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The nature of the substance is under investigation.

Pleiotropic effects of a relC mutation in Streptomyces antibioticus

Ochi (Agric. Biol. Chem. 51:829-835, 1987) has isolated a relaxed mutant of Streptomyces antibioticus, designated relC49, relC49 accumulates significantly lower levels of ppGpp than the parent stain, IMRU3720. At its maximum, the ppGpp level in relC49 was only one-fourth that observed in strain IMRU3720. Interestingly, a burst of ppGpp synthesis between 18 and 22 h of growth in IMRU3720 coincided with the onset of actinomycin production in that strain. As shown previously, the activity in protein synthesis of ribosomes from strain IMRU3720 decreases with the age of the culture. The decrease in activity was less pronounced in cultures of relC49. relC49 mycelium contains reduced levels of phenoxazinone synthase, a key enzyme involved in actinomycin biosynthesis. The rel mutation prevents the normal increase in the activity of one of the other enzymes required for production of the antibiotic, 3-hydroxyanthanilate-4-methyltransferase, and a third enzyme, actinomycin synthetase I, appears to be completely absent from relC49 mycelium. Levels of phenoxazinone synthease mRNA were examined by RNA dot blotting with the cloned phenoxazinone synthase gene as a probe. mRNA levels for phenoxazinone synthase were dramatically reduced in relC49 compared with strain IMRU3720. These results are discussed in terms of the possible regulation of the onset of actinomycin production by ppGpp.

Features of regenerated clones with or without fusion treatment between auxotrophic mutants of Streptomyces antibioticus and their antibiotic productivity

During experiments on protoplast fusion of complementary auxotrophic mutants (194 and 11M-21) of Streptomyces antibioticus for strain improvement, the clones (typified by F-40) regenerated on minimal regeneration medium (MRM) were found to be prototrophs, and to produce an antibiotic different from those produced by the parent strain. The protoplast regeneration of each parent was examined as a negative control experiment. In the regenerated clones of 194, half of them produced actinomycins similar to those produced by the original mutant 194, but others (typified by R-20) seemed to produce antibiotics similar to those produced by F-40. In the taxonomic characterization of morphological, cultural, and physiological properties of each strain, F-40, R-20, and the parent mutant 194 had no significant differences with a few exceptions. The problem here is whether the antibiotic of R-20 is the same as that of F-40, which was first isolated and found to be a peptide antibiotic different from actinomycins, with activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

The structure and biosynthesis of new tetrahydropyrimidine derivatives in actinomycin D producer Streptomyces parvulus. Use of 13C- and 15N-labeled L-glutamate and 13C and 15N NMR spectroscopy

Two novel compounds, 2-methyl, 4-carboxy, 5-hydroxy-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine (THP(A] and 2-methyl, 4-carboxy-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine (THP(B] have been identified in the pool of Streptomyces parvulus by in vivo and in vitro studies. 13C and 15N were introduced into the compounds by feeding S. parvulus with 15N- and 13C-labeled L-glutamate. High resolution 13C and 15N NMR have been applied to elucidate their structure and biosynthesis in S. parvulus. The splitting patterns and coupling constants of adjacent nitrogen-carbon molecular fragments enable us to unravel their molecular structure. Two different glutamate pools are responsible for their biosynthesis, THP(A) carbon skeleton derives from the extracellular L-[13C]glutamate, whereas THP(B) stems from D-fructose via the intracellular glutamate. During cell growth, THP(A) is synthesized and becomes the major constituent of the intracellular pool. It is consumed after THP(B) is accumulated intracellularly. The onset of THP(A) and -(B) synthesis seems correlated to the time of actinomycin D synthesis. Their high cellular concentrations during actinomycin D synthesis suggest that they may function as nitrogen storage. Other possible functions of THP molecules within the cell are discussed.

Metabolic regulation in Streptomyces parvulus during actinomycin D synthesis, studied with 13C- and 15N-labeled precursors by 13C and 15N nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Recent studies have suggested that the onset of synthesis of actinomycin D in Streptomyces parvulus is due to a release from L-glutamate catabolic repression. In the present investigation we showed that S. parvulus has the capacity to maintain high levels of intracellular glutamate during the synthesis of actinomycin D. The results seem contradictory, since actinomycin D synthesis cannot start before a release from L-glutamate catabolic repression, but a relatively high intracellular pool of glutamate is needed for the synthesis of actinomycin D. Utilizing different labeled precursors, D-[U-13C]fructose and 13C- and 15N-labeled L-glutamate, and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques, we showed that carbon atoms of an intracellular glutamate pool of S. parvulus were not derived biosynthetically from the culture medium glutamate source but rather from D-fructose catabolism. A new intracellular pyrimidine derivative whose nitrogen and carbon skeletons were derived from exogenous L-glutamate was obtained as the main glutamate metabolite. Another new pyrimidine derivative that had a significantly reduced intracellular mobility and that was derived from D-fructose catabolism was identified in the cell extracts of S. parvulus during actinomycin D synthesis. These pyrimidine derivatives may serve as a nitrogen store for actinomycin D synthesis. In the present study, the N-trimethyl group of a choline derivative was observed by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in growing S. parvulus cells. The choline group, as well as the N-methyl groups of sarcosine, N-methyl-valine, and the methyl groups of an actinomycin D chromophore, arose from D-fructose catabolism. The 13C enrichments found in the peptide moieties of actinomycin D were in accordance with a mechanism of actinomycin D synthesis from L-glutamate and D-fructose.

[Reduction of actinomycin biosynthesis during protoplast regeneration in an inactive variant producer]

During regeneration of protoplasts in the inactive variant H-2 of the actinomycin-producing organism Streptomyces sp. 26-115 there were detected 1-4 per cent of the colonies synthesizing the antibiotic. The frequency of such colonies (H-2R) did not increase after exposure of the H-2 protoplasts to the fusing agent PEG-1000. The population grown from one colony after three passages on pea agar was sufficiently homogeneous by the antibiotic production property. Variant H-2R was more stable to the effect of streptomycin than the initial variant H-2.

Actinomycin synthesis in Streptomyces antibioticus. Purification and properties of a 3-hydroxyanthranilate 4-methyltransferase

A methyltransferase, which utilizes 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (HAA) as a substrate, has been purified to near homogeneity from 30-36-h mycelium of the bacterium Streptomyces antibioticus. The enzyme was obtained in approximately 20% yield with a purification of 130-fold. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions indicates that the enzyme is composed of a single subunit with Mr of about 36,000. On chromatography in 0.5 M NaCl, the enzyme displays a molecular weight of about 37,000. The specific activity of the enzyme in S. antibioticus mycelium is maximal between 30 and 36 h following inoculation of galactose/glutamic acid medium and, at those times post-inoculation, the specific activity is essentially the same in extracts of mycelium obtained from cultures grown on glucose rather than galactose as the carbon source. The enzyme activity is stimulated by Na2EDTA (in crude extracts) and by 2-mercaptoethanol and the methyltransferase shows a strong preference for HAA as substrate as compared with a number of HAA analogs. Thin layer chromatography of ethyl acetate extracts of large-scale incubation mixtures confirms that the product of the reaction is 4-methyl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid. The reaction product was also a substrate for phenoxazinone synthase and was incorporated into actinomycin by S. antibioticus mycelium. Kinetic parameters for the methyltransferase reaction was determined.

Genetics of actinomycin C production in Streptomyces chrysomallus

Three distinct classes of mutations affecting the biosynthesis of actinomycin have been established in Streptomyces chyrsomallus by crossing various actinomycin-nonproducing mutants with each other by protoplast fusion. In crosses between members of different classes of mutations, actinomycin-producing recombinant progeny arose, whereas in crosses between members of the same class, no actinomycin-producing recombinants were seen. Biochemical examination of a number of mutants revealed that the expression of all actinomycin synthetases was reduced by about 1 order of magnitude in mutants belonging to class II. In mutants of class I, the specific activities of the actinomycin synthetases were comparable with those measured in their actinomycin-producing parents. Feeding experiments with 4-methyl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (4-MHA), the biosynthetic precursor of the chromophore moiety of actinomycin, with representative mutants of the three genetic classes revealed formation of actinomycin in minute amounts by mutants of class I. It is suggested that mutants belonging to class I are mutated at a genetic locus involved in the biosynthesis of 4-MHA. Mutants belonging to class II appear to carry mutations at a locus involved in the regulation of the expression of the actinomycin synthetases. The role of the locus in class III mutations could not be assigned. Mapping studies in S. chrysomallus based on conjugal matings revealed the chromosomal linkage of all three loci. Mutations belonging to classes I and III were closely linked. Their genetic loci could be localized in a map interval of the chromosomal linkage group which is significantly distant from the gene locus represented by mutations belonging to class II.

Actinomycin synthesis in Streptomyces antibioticus: enzymatic conversion of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid to 4-methyl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid

A methyltransferase which utilizes 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (HAA) as a substrate was identified in detergent-treated extracts of the bacterium Streptomyces antibioticus. The enzyme catalyzes the transfer of methyl groups from [14C]S-adenosylmethionine to HAA, but does not catalyze the methylation of 3-hydroxy-DL-kynurenine. Enzyme, substrate, time, and pH dependencies for the methyl transfer reaction were examined. Reaction products obtained from scaled-up reaction mixtures were fractionated by chromatography on Dowex 1, and the Dowex 1 fractions were examined by paper and thin-layer chromatography. One Dowex fraction was shown to contain a radioactive product with the chromatographic properties of 4-methyl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (MHA), a known intermediate in the biosynthesis of actinomycin. Available evidence indicates that the conversion of HAA to MHA is an early step in the biosynthesis of actinomycin by S. antibioticus and other actinomycin-producing streptomycetes.

[Isolation and regeneration of the protoplasts of the streptomycete producers of actinomycins C and X]

Protoplasts of S. michiganensis, S. chrysomallus and Streptomyces sp. 26-115, organisms producing actinomycins C and X form in hypertonic salt solution under the action of 3-4,5 mg/ml of lysozyme on the mycelium suspension. For protoplasting, the streptomycetes were grown on the soybean medium in the presence of 0.2-0.8 per cent of glycine. The mycelium of the streptomycete exponential growth phase was more favourable for protoplast formation. Protoplast regeneration was studied on the medium described by Okanishi et al. The quantitative composition of this medium was not optimal for regeneration of protoplasts of the above streptomycetes. The level of their regeneration depended to various extents on concentration of phosphate, magnesium and calcium ions and sucrose in the regeneration medium.

Purification and characterization of kynurenine formamidase activities from Streptomyces parvulus

Two forms of kynurenine formamidase (EC 3.5.1.9; aryl-formylamine amidohydrolase) are present in extracts of Streptomyces parvulus. The higher molecular weight enzyme (Mr = 42 000), kynurenine formamidase I, appears to be constitutive and is present at relatively constant but low levels in antibiotic producing and nonproducing cultures, whereas the synthesis of the lower molecular weight form (Mr = 25 000), kynurenine formamidase II, is initiated just prior to the onset of actinomycin formation. It is postulated (i) that kynurenine formamidase II catalyzes the second step in the pathway from tryptophan----actinocin, and (ii) that it is regulated specifically for the specialized function of actinomycin biosynthesis. The role of kynurenine formamidase I is unknown. Formamidase I and II activities were purified from extracts of S. parvulus and kinetic parameters of the two enzymes were determined. Although some of the properties of the two enzymes are quite similar (substrate specificities, Km values), some striking differences were noted (pH and temperature optima, molecular size, chromatographic properties, sensitivity to certain ions and chemicals). Mutant studies suggest that expression of the gene(s) coding for formamidase II activity play an essential role in regulating the formation of actinocin and, hence, antibiotic synthesis. Kynurenine formamidase activity was also found in a representative number of Streptomyces species and related organisms suggesting that the enzyme may function in the degradative metabolism of tryptophan by certain actinomycetes in nature.

[Isolation of a plasmid from actinomycin C-producing Streptomyces chrysomallus and its characteristics]

Until now the identification of plasmids in streptomyces, the producers of actinomycins, has not been reported, although there exist the genetic data on the possible plasmid participation in biosynthesis of these antibiotics. In this paper the data are presented on plasmid identification in two variants of Streptomyces chrysomallus. Plasmids are shown to be identical in both variants differing in productiveness. The restriction map is constructed for this 7000 b. p. plasmid. Plasmid participation in actinomycin biosynthesis and its possible use for molecular cloning in streptomyces are discussed.

Acyl pentapeptide lactone synthesis in actinomycin-producing streptomycetes by feeding with structural analogs of 4-methyl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid

Several structural analogs of 4-methyl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (4-MHA) that had been established as substrates of the 4-MHA-activating enzyme from Streptomyces chrysomallus (Keller, U., Kleinkauf, H., and Zocher, R. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 1479-1484) were fed in short term labeling experiments to cultures of two actinomycin-producing streptomycetes. Besides inhibition of actinomycin synthesis, the addition of 4-methyl-3-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-aminobenzoic acid, or 4-methyl-3-methoxy-benzoic acid induced the formation of novel compounds. The data indicate that these compounds are structural analogs of 4-MHA pentapeptide lactones, which are the most probable precursors of actinomycins (Katz, E. (1967) in Antibiotics II (Gottlieb, D., and Shaw, P. D., eds) pp. 276-341, Springer-Verlag, New York). Since the structural analogs of 4-MHA are missing the o-aminophenol configuration, the corresponding acyl pentapeptide lactones cannot react with each other to give phenoxazines. Therefore, they accumulate and thus become detectable. Feeding cultures with 4-MHA resulted in an inhibition of actinomycin synthesis apparently at the level of acyl pentapeptide lactone synthesis. In such experiments, the formation of pentapeptide lactones, which are most likely derived from 4-MHA pentapeptide lactones, could be detected. The results provide experimental evidence that the biosynthesis of actinomycins proceeds via the 4-MHA-pentapeptide lactones.

[Action of the products of the vital activity of yeastlike fungi on the biosynthesis of levorin, levoristatin and fatty acids by a Streptomyces levoris culture]

The data on the effect of the products of vital activity of Candida tropicalis, a yeast-like fungus, on the biosynthesis of levorin, levoristatin and fatty acids by Streptomyces levoris are presented. It was shown that the effect of the biostimulators was not specific with respect to production of levorin, since in the presence of the products of vital activity of C. tropicalis an increase in the synthesis of levoristatin and fatty acids was also observed. The qualitative and quantitative composition of the fatty acids of the mycelium of S. levoris was studied. Interrelation between the biosynthesis of levorin and synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and branched chain fatty acids was noted.

[Regulation of the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in Streptomyces galbus]

The effect of inhibiting and stimulating agents on the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (actinomycin X and melanoid pigments) was studied in Streptomyces galbus as a function of the growth temperature. D-Valine was shown to inhibit actinomycin synthesis and to stimulate production of melanoid pigments. Tryptophan stimulated the synthesis of both actinomycin and melanoid pigments. The temperature of growth was found to regulate the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites by the culture. The organism synthesized actinomycin at 28 degrees C, but it switched to the production of melanoid pigments at 42 degrees C. This may be considered as a protective reaction of the organism to an increase in the temperature of the environment and in UV radiation which is possible under natural conditions as a consequence of temperature elevation. The paper presents a hypothetical scheme for the regulation of biosynthesis of actinomycin and melanoid pigments by temperature. According to the scheme, the culture synthesizes secondary metabolites from tryptophan to hydroxykynurenine via a general pathway which is then bifurcated: at 28 degrees C--through methylhydroxyanthranilic acid to actinocin to actinomycin; at 42 degrees C--through hydroxyanthranilic acid, o-aminophenol, pyrocatechol, and possibly, o-benzoquinone, to melanin.

4-Methyl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid activating enzyme from actinomycin-producing Streptomyces chrysomallus

A 4-methyl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (4-MHA) activating enzyme was purified 24-fold from a crude protein extract of Streptomyces chrysomallus . The enzyme catalyzes both 4-MHA-dependent ATP/PPi exchange and the formation of the corresponding adenylate. No AMP was formed during the reaction, indicating that no covalent binding of 4-MHA takes place. Besides 4-MHA, the enzyme also catalyzes the formation of adenylates from 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HA), anthranilic acid (AA), benzoic acid (BA), 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (3-HB), 4-methyl-3-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-MHB), 4-methyl-3-methoxybenzoic acid (4- MMB ), and 4-aminobenzoic acid (4-AB). No such adenylates were formed from 2-aminophenol (2-AP), 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (2-HB), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), and tryptophan (Trp). 3-HA, 4-MHB, and 4-AB were among the structural analogues of 4-MHA that were the most effective for adenylate synthesis. In the case of 3-HA, considerable AMP release was observed, most probably due to nonenzymatic hydrolysis of the corresponding adenylate. A molecular weight between 53 000 and 57 000 was estimated. The specific activity of the enzyme was correlated with the titer of antibiotic in the cultures, and feeding experiments with whole mycelium of S. chrysomallus showed that 4-MHB was a strong inhibitor of actinomycin synthesis in vivo. The data strongly suggest that the enzyme is involved in the biosynthesis of actinomycin.

[Nature of the brown pigment and the composition of the phenol oxidases of Streptomyces galbus]

The culture of Streptomyces galbus ISP-5089 has a yellow-green colour caused by the accumulation of actinomycin X when it is grown in synthetic media at 28 degrees C; the colour turns dark-brown at 42 degrees C due to the synthesis of melanoid pigments. The population composition does not undergo any noticeable changes in that case, an no specific melanin-synthesizing mutants appear as a result of autoselection . The biosynthesis of actinomycin X (at 28 degrees C) and melanoid pigments (at 42 degrees C) is regulated by temperature. At 42 degrees C, L-DOPA oxidase is synthesized and laccase is activated; these two enzymes are involved in the synthesis of melanoid pigments. The organism does not has tyrosinase. The synthesis of melanoid pigments, when the mesophilic culture of S. galbus ISP-5089 is grown in the regime of superoptimal temperatures (42 to 47 degrees C), may be considered as a protective ecological reaction of the organism to unfavourable conditions of the environment.