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Microbe Profile: Streptomyces formicae KY5: an ANT-ibiotic factory

Summary

Scientists have discovered a special bacterium called Streptomyces formicae that lives in ant nests and produces powerful antibiotics. This bacterium makes formicamycins, which can kill dangerous bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus that resists many common antibiotics. Using advanced genetic tools, researchers can modify this bacterium to unlock hidden antibiotic-producing pathways, potentially leading to new medicines to fight drug-resistant infections.

Background

Streptomyces formicae KY5 was isolated from Tetraponera penzigi plant-ant nests in central Africa. This bacterium is known for producing formicamycins, potent antibiotics against Gram-positive pathogens including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and an uncharacterized antifungal compound. The strain represents a potential source for discovering novel antimicrobial compounds.

Objective

To characterize Streptomyces formicae KY5 as an antibiotic-producing organism and explore its biosynthetic gene clusters for novel antimicrobial discovery. Research focuses on understanding the regulation of secondary metabolism and identifying pathways that are silent under standard laboratory conditions.

Results

S. formicae has a single linear chromosome of 9.6 Mbps with 71.4% G+C content. AntiSMASH analysis revealed at least 45 biosynthetic gene clusters, most encoding potentially novel compounds. Genetic rewiring resulted in overproduction of pathway products, biosynthetic intermediates, and shunt metabolites.

Conclusion

S. formicae represents a promising source for antibiotic discovery with significant potential for identifying novel antimicrobial compounds through exploitation of silent biosynthetic pathways. The genetic tractability of this strain using CRISPR-Cas9 enables detailed analysis of secondary metabolism regulation and novel compound discovery.
  • Published in:Microbiology (Reading),
  • Study Type:Microbe Profile Review,
  • Source: PMID: 41133737, DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001623
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