Search

When the citreamicin-producing organism Micromonospora citrea NRRL 189351 was incubated in the presence of the methylation inhibitors sinefungin or aminopterin, biosynthesis of the zeta component was stimulated approximately 20 to 200-fold above the level normally produced. Inhibition of a second methylation reaction, which is superficially very similar to the first, was not detected. Other known methylation inhibitors failed to yield any change in the natural pattern of citreamicins produced. This approach is an excellent route for preparing citreamicin zeta, which can be used as a substrate for semi-synthesis or for further biosynthetic studies.

A new family of antibacterial antibiotics has been isolated from Micromonospora citrea. The compounds, designated citreamicins alpha, beta, gamma, zeta and eta are of the polycyclic xanthone structure type. Their isolation, characterization and structure determination are presented.

A new family of antiparasitic macrolides has been isolated from Streptomyces cyaneogriseus sp. noncyanogenus. The compounds, designated LL-F28249 alpha, beta, gamma and lambda, possess potent antiparasitic activity. The isolation, purification and structure determination by spectroscopic methods are presented.