Saccharopolyspora erythraea

Saccharopolyspora erythraea is a Gram-positive, aerobic, spore-forming actinomycete that is well-known for its role in the production of the antibiotic erythromycin. This species was first isolated from a soil sample in the Philippines and has since been found in various other locations around the world.

Taxonomy

The genus Saccharopolyspora was first proposed in 1983 to accommodate the species Saccharopolyspora hirsuta, which was previously classified as a member of the genus Nocardiopsis. The species Saccharopolyspora erythraea was subsequently transferred to this new genus from the genus Streptomyces.

Morphology

Saccharopolyspora erythraea forms aerial hyphae that differentiate into chains of spores. The spores are smooth and oval in shape, and are typically 0.5-1.0 µm in diameter. The aerial hyphae are typically white to pale yellow in color, while the substrate mycelium is typically orange to red.

Metabolism

Saccharopolyspora erythraea is capable of utilizing a wide range of carbon sources, including glucose, sucrose, maltose, and starch. It is also capable of utilizing nitrate as a nitrogen source. The species is thermophilic, with an optimal growth temperature of 28-37°C.

Erythromycin production

Saccharopolyspora erythraea is best known for its ability to produce the antibiotic erythromycin. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. The biosynthesis of erythromycin by S. erythraea involves a complex series of enzymatic reactions, and is a subject of ongoing research.

See also

• Actinobacteria
• Antibiotics
• Erythromycin
• Saccharopolyspora

References

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