The
kac gene coding for KSM acetyltransferase cloned from kasugamycin (KSM)-producing
Streptomyces kasugaensis MB273-C4 (Hirasawa
et al., 1993 ; JP. A-05-23187) was investigated for its correlation with KSM-productivity. Genomic Southern hybridization analysis indicated that
kac existed in the genome of all the KSM-producing
Streptomyces strains tested,
i.e.,
S. kasugaensis MB273-C4 and M338-M1, and
S. celluloflavus JCM4126 as well as
Streptomyces sp. MF861-C4 that has characteristics taxonomically and phylogenically remote from those of the formers. We also found in experiments using
Streptomyces sp. MF861-C4 that
kac gene was readily deleted during storage as a lyophile with skim milk at 10°C or as a frozen 20% sucrose suspension at −20°C of its aerial mycelia, accompanying the loss of KSM productivity.
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