STUDIES ON NEW AMINOGLYCOSIDE ANTIBIOTICS, ISTAMYCINS, FROM AN ACTINOMYCETE ISOLATED FROM A MARINE ENVIRONMENT

I. THE USE OF PLASMID PROFILES IN SCREENING ANTIBIOTIC-PRODUCING STREPTOMYCETES

Abstract

Plasmid profiles were used to screen streptomycetes for production of new antibiotics. Among about 100 strains isolated from sea muds, an isolate designated SS-939 was revealed to harbor several plasmids of different sizes, and to produce istamycins, new aminoglycoside antibiotics. Based on the characteristics of the strain, a new Streptomyces species is proposed: S. tenjimariensis.