TRANSDUCTION OF PLASMID DNA IN MACROLIDE PRODUCING STREPTOMYCETES

We were interested in exploring the effects of cell growth conditions on transduction in streptomycetes that produce macrocyclic lactones, since these strains are potential recipients for cloned macrolide genes to produce hybrid structures with potentially useful activities. We compared several macrolide-producing Streptomyces for their ability to support plaque formation by ten broad host range bacteriophages for Streptomyces species. Only Streptomyces ambofaciens, Streptomyces griseofuscus and Streptomyces platensis permitted plaque formation by all ten bacteriophages. Therefore, it is likely that most or all of the other species express some restriction.