Mapping the biosynthetic potential in Streptomyces strains

Author(s)

Pedro Luis Rocha da Cruz

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Química
• Defense date: 2011-07-26

Examining board members

Luciana Gonzaga de Oliveira; Mônica Tallarico Pupo; Fábio Cesar Gozzo

• Advisor: Luciana Gonzaga de Oliveira

Abstract

Actinobacteria are important sources of new molecules with biological activities. Streptomyces are the most important genera studied. Such microorganisms carries out among a variety of biosynthetic enzimes, two main groups known as polyketide synthase (PKS) and non ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS), both catalyzing the biosynthesis of polyketide and non ribosomal peptides respectively. PKS and NRPS biosynthesis follows a collinear relationship among the gene cluster, the enzyme and the secondary metabolite. Therefore, the knowledge of the gene sequences allows to find new molecules. In this work we adopted a strategy to map the biosynthetic genes without the need of extensive whole genome sequencing in order to predict the metabolite produced by Streptomyces strains isolated from Citrus ssp. The strains were also cultivated and the metabolite production monitored by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. In addition, the biological activity of these medium was estimated using qualitative biochemical assays (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/03793-6 - Mining the Biosynthetic Potential of Streptomycetes: Comparison using S. coelicolor as a model strain
• Grantee: Pedro Luís Rocha da Cruz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master