New 4-Oxovancosamine-containing Glycopeptide Antibiotics from Amycolatopsis sp. Y-86, 21022

Balhimycin is a recently introduced glycopeptide antibiotic which was isolated from Amycolatopsis sp. Y-86,21022, DSM 5908. The characteristic structural feature of this new antibiotic is a 4-dehydrovancosamine sugar unit, which is mainly present as ketone hydrate. Balhimycin exhibits antibacterial activity in vitro and in vivo against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and, in addition, is potent against many anaerobic organisms. In order to become acquainted with the biochemical synthesis performance of Amycolatopsis sp. Y-86,21022 and to discover new glycopeptide components, we examined nutrient broths of balhimycin producers.