[Genome sequencing of Streptomyces aureofaciens DM-1 and analysis of 6-demethylchlortetracycline biosynthesis gene cluster].

Streptomyces aureofaciens DM-1 is a high-yielding 6-demethylchlortetracycline producer. The genome sequencing of DM-1 reveals a linear chromosome containing 6 824 334 bps nucleotides with GC content of 72.6%. In this genome, a total of 6 431 open reading frames were predicted by using glimmer 3.02, Genemark and Z-Curve softwares. Twenty-eight secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters were uncovered by using AntiSMASH gene prediction software, including the complete 6-demethylchlortetracycline biosynthetic gene cluster. A frame-shift mutation in methyltransferase coding region was detected, which may result in the demethylation of chlortetracycline. The complete genome sequence of S. aureofaciens DM-1 provides basic information for functional genomics studies and selection of high-yielding strains for 6-demethylchlortetracycline.

Disruption of stcA blocks sterigmatocystin biosynthesis and improves echinocandin B production in Aspergillus delacroxii.

Echinocandin B (ECB) is an important lipohexapeptide used for chemical manufacture of the antifungal agent anidulafungin. Sterigmatocystin (ST) is a polyketide mycotoxin produced by certain species of Aspergillus such as Aspergillus delacroxii SIPIW15, which could produce both ECB and ST. However, the presence of the potent carcinogen ST will greatly affect the quality and safety of ECB production. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate the ST biosynthesis and increase ECB titers in Asp. delacroxii SIPIW15. In this study, the polyketide synthase gene (stcA) required for biosynthesis of ST and its flanking region in Asp. delacroxii SIPIW15 were cloned, sequenced and analyzed firstly. Based on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, the ΔstcA mutant AMT-1 was obtained and its yield of ECB was increased by 40% without ST detected at the same time as compared to the original strain. The results of the fed-batch experiments showed that the ECB yield of the ΔstcA strain AMT-1 was increased to 2163 ± 31 mg/l and no ST was detected in the 50 l bioreactor. This work suggested that the ΔstcA strain AMT-1 has the potential for application in ECB production improvement, and more importantly, to eliminate ST-related environmental pollution in ECB fermentation industry.

Romipeptides A and B, two new romidepsin derivatives isolated from Chromobacterium violaceum No.968 and their antitumor activities in vitro.

Romipeptides A and B (1 and 2), two new romidepsin derivatives, and three known compounds, chromopeptide A (3), romidepsin (4) and valine-leucine dipeptide (5) were isolated from the fermentation broth of Chromobacterium violaceum No. 968. Their structures were elucidated by interpretation of their UV, HR-ESI-MS and NMR spectra. The absolute configuration of compound 1 and 2 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1-5 were evaluated for their anti-proliferative activities against three human cancer cell lines, SW620, HL60, and A549. The results showed most of these compounds exhibited antitumor activities in vitro, in which compound 2 displayed potent cytotoxicity to SW620, HL60 and A549 cell lines, with IC50 of 12.5, 6.7 and 5.7 nmol·L-1, respectively.

TAR cloning and integrated overexpression of 6-demethylchlortetracycline biosynthetic gene cluster in Streptomyces aureofaciens.

6-Demethylchlortetracycline (6-DCT), a tetracycline antibiotic produced by Streptomyces aureofaciens, is a crucial precursor employed for the semi-synthesis of tigecycline, minocycline, and amadacyclin (PTK 0796). In this study, the 6-DCT biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) was cloned from genomic DNA of a high 6-DCT-producing strain, S. aureofaciens DM-1, using the transformation-associated recombination method. An extra copy of the 6-DCT BGC was introduced and integrated into the chromosome of S. aureofaciens DM-1. Duplication of the 6-DCT BGC resulted in a maximum increase of the 6-DCT titer by 34%.