ANTHRACYCLINE METABOLITES FROM Streptomyces violaceus A262

I. ISOLATION OF ANTIBIOTIC-BLOCKED MUTANTS FROM Streptomyces violaceus A262

Abstract

Five mutant (or variant) strains producing new anthracycline antibiotics were derived from Streptomyces violaceus A262 by mutagenesis treatment. Strain SE1-625 showed a limited production of three known β-rhodomycinone diglycosides while the parent strain produced numerous unidentified β-rhodomycinone glycosides. Strain SU2-730 was an antibiotic-blocked mutant which produced only ε-rhodomycinone glycosides (named epelmycins). Strains SC-7 and SE2-2385 were variants which produced α-citromycinone glycosides (named yellamycins) and β-isorhodomycinone glycosides (named obelmycins), respectively. Strain SE2-2385-A1 produced α₂-rhodomycinone glycosides (named alldimycins). Glycosidation-less mutants which accumulated only aglycone were also obtained. Isolation of these mutants or variants and preliminary identification of their anthracycline products are described.