1998 Volume 12 Issue 1 Pages 29-36
Screening of actinomycetes and fungi for genes involved in beta-lactam production can be carried out using a technique involving both PCR with conserved primers to the isopenicillin N synthase gene and a Southern dot blotting. This technique was successful with nine out of nine known beta-lactam producing Actinomycetes tested and three out of six known beta-lactam producing Fungi tested. It proved unable to detect the isopenicillin N synthase gene in the two Flexibacter beta lactam producing eubacteria strains tested. It also identified the presence of potential beta-lactam production genes in two known none beta-lactam producing actinomycetes and one out of fourteen novel newly isolated actinomycetes. This technique has potential for use in commercial screens for novel beta-lactam producers.