Research on Novel Bio-Active Metabolites Produced by Microorganisms

Dear Colleagues,

Random mutagenesis or isolation of spontaneous variants of natural actinomycetes or fungal species with different abilities to produce antibiotics than the original strains has been a strategy extensively used in industry to improve the antibiotic titer of strains of interest. A comparative analysis of the genome sequence of these over- or even down-producing variants could contribute to a better knowledge of the various processes that have an impact on antibiotic biosynthesis. This approach might lead to the identification of genes or pathways that promote or compete with or regulate the biosynthesis of already known specialized metabolites or lead to a strong enhancement of the expression of cryptic biosynthetic pathways. The outcomes of such approaches should guide the choice of rational genetic engineering strategies in clean genetic backgrounds to improve the production of already known specialized metabolites or even trigger the expression of cryptic biosynthetic pathways.

Submitted manuscripts are expected to include comparative phenotypic and genomic analysis of original strains with variants showing either enhanced or reduced production of specialized metabolites and resulting from:

• Chemical or UV random mutagenesis;
• Transposon mutagenesis;
• Deletion/mutation of genes involved in DNA repair;
• Deletion/mutation of genes leading to an alteration of transcriptional or translational fidelity;
• Growth in stressful conditions promoting extensive genome rearrangements;
• Deletion/mutation of indispensable gene leading to extensive genome rearrangements.

(This list is not exhaustive)  

Dr. Marie-Joëlle Virolle
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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