Taxonomic problems associated with named strains of Streptomyces cinnamonensis

Abstract

Streptomyces cinnamonensis ATCC 15413 is the source of monensin which is an antibiotic used as a coccidiostat and feed-additive. My thesis is a report of a comparative taxonomic study of seven strains of Streptomyces cinnamonensis including ATCC 15413, using methods devised by the International Streptomyces Project (ISP) for identifying and classifying streptomycetes. Additional information was obtained by analysis of the amino acids and carbohydrates present both in whole cells and in isolated cell walls.

The organisms included in the study were Streptomyces cinnamonensis, ATCC strains 15413 and 12308, two subcultures of the type strain 154-T3 and a strain of S. virginiae obtained from the Upjohn Company, S. cinnamonensis subsp. proteolyticus ATCC 19893, and an Upjohn subculture of ATCC strain 15413. Differences among the strains were noted with respect to spore chain morphology, spore shape, the color of the aerial and substrate mycelium, production of melanoid pigments, and carbohydrate utilization patterns. There also were differences in whole cell sugars and in the cell wall amino acids and sugars. These differences were distributed among all the strains. All seven strains were similar in the following characteristics: Dall contained LL-DAP in their cell walls, 2)all contained glucose in their cell walls, 3)all contained glucose, mannose, and ribose in the whole cells, 4)all contained glutamic acid, glucosamine, and alanine in their cell walls, 5)all had smooth spore surfaces. Similarity coefficients calculated to compare all the strains indicated that six of the strains form a continuum of similarity from 50% to 77%. Strain 5 (the type strain) does not cluster with the other strains.