Streptomyces Genetics: A Genomic Perspective

• Published in: Critical reviews in biotechnology Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 1 - 27
• Main Authors: Paradkar, Ashish, Trefzer, Axel, Chakraburtty, Rekha, Stassi, Diane
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boca Raton, FL Informa UK Ltd 01.01.2003; Taylor & Francis; CRC Press; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Actinomycetales; actinomycetes; antibiotic biosynthesis; Antibiotics; antineoplastic agents; bacteria; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Biology of microorganisms of confirmed or potential industrial interest; Biotechnology; DNA; Economic importance; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fungal Proteins - genetics; Fungal Proteins - physiology; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal - genetics; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal - physiology; genetic engineering; Genetics; Genome, Fungal; Genomics; Genomics - methods; immunosuppressive agents; Insecticides; Metabolites; Mission oriented research; Molecular Sequence Data; nucleotide sequences; Protein Engineering - methods; Proteomics - methods; Recombinant Proteins - genetics; Secondary metabolites; strain improvement; Streptomyces; Streptomyces - classification; Streptomyces - genetics; Streptomyces - metabolism; Streptomyces coelicolor; Streptomycetes; Actinomycetales; Antibiotic; Streptomycetaceae; antibiotic biosynthesis; Genomics; strain improvement; Streptomyces; Bacteria; Genetics; Actinomycetes; Biosynthesis; Review
• ISSN: 0738-8551; 1549-7801; 1549-7801
• DOI: 10.1080/713609296

Streptomycetes are Gram-positive, soil-inhabiting bacteria of the order Actinomycetales. These organisms exhibit an unusual, developmentally complex life cycle and produce many economically important secondary metabolites, such as antibiotics, immunosuppressants, insecticides, and anti-tumor agents. Streptomyces species have been the subject of genetic investigation for over 50 years, with many studies focusing on the developmental cycle and the production of secondary metabolites. This information provides a solid foundation for the application of structural and functional genomics to the actinomycetes. The complete DNA sequence of the model organism, Streptomyces coelicolor M145, has been published recently, with others expected to follow soon. As more genomic sequences become available, the rational genetic manipulation of these organisms to elucidate metabolic and regulatory networks, to increase the production of commercially important compounds, and to create novel secondary metabolites will be greatly facilitated. This review presents the current state of the field of genomics as it is being applied to the actinomycetes.