Isao Kawamoto

Catellatospora, a New Genus of the Actinomycetales

Two species of the new genus Catellatospora, belonging to the “actinoplanates” group, are described under the names Catellatospora citrea sp. nov. and Catellatospora ferruginea sp. nov. The organisms of this genus are aerobic and produce nonfragmenting vegetative hyphae and no true aerial mycelium. Short chains of nonmotile spores emerge singly or in tufts from the vegetative hyphae on the surface of agar media. The organisms have meso-diaminopimelic and 3-hydroxydiaminopimelic acids and glycine in the cell walls (a type II cell wall); xylose and arabinose (a pattern D whole-cell sugar); and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides but not phosphatidylcholine (a type PII phospholipid pattern). The major menaquinones in C. citrea and C. ferruginea are MK-9 (H4) and MK-10 (H8), respectively. The guanine-plus-cytosine content of the deoxyribonucleic acids ranges from 70.9 to 71.5 mol%. The type strain of type species C. citrea is strain IFO 14495T (6183-ET), and the type strain of C. ferruginea is strain IFO 14496T (6257-CT).

Stereoselective Synthesis of Novel anti-MRSA Tricyclic Carbapenems (Trinems)

Abstract (4S)-Hydroxymethyltrinem 3 was prepared via stereoselective aldol-type reaction with optically pure (R)-2-t-butyldimethyl-silyloxymethylcyclohexanone ((R)-16). (4S)-Hydroxymethyltrinem 3 was converted into various kinds of trinem derivatives with anti-MRSA activity by using the Mitsunobu reaction.

Catellatospora matsumotoense sp. nov. and C. tsunoense sp. nov., Actinomycetes Found in Woodland Soils

Two new species in the genus Catellatospora are proposed. These organisms differ in carbon utilization profiles, vitamin requirements for growth, and levels of deoxyribonucleic acid relatedness to previously described species. The new species Catellatospora matsumotoense (type strain 6393-C [= IFO 14550]) contains menaquinones with 10 isoprene units (MK-10) as its major respiratory quinones, contains 3-0-methylrhamnose in its cell walls, is resistant to novobiocin, does not require thiamine for growth, and uses fructose and raffinose but not mannitol, α-methyl-D-glucoside, or rhamnose as a sole carbon source. The new species Catellatospora tsunoense (type strain 6420-P [= IFO 14552]) contains menaquines with nine isoprene units (MK-9) as its major menaquinones, does not contain 3-0-methylrhamnose, is susceptible to novobiocin, requires thiamine for growth, and uses fructose, raffinose, and rhamnose but not mannitol or α-methyl-D-glucoside as a sole carbon source.

Catellatospora citrea subsp. methionotrophica subsp. nov., a methionine-deficient auxotroph of the actinomycetales

Two isolates belonging to the genus Catellatospora were recovered from soil samples collected at different geographical sites in Japan. These isolates showed many similarities to the type strain of Catellatospora citrea in chemotaxonomy and morphology, but they required an external source of methionine for growth. They are described as a new subspecies of Catellatospora citrea, Catellatospora citrea subsp. methionotrophica; the type strain is strain IFO 14553 (= 6257-B).

Synthesis of Sordaricin Analogues as Potent Antifungal Agents against Candida albicans

Sordaricin derivatives possessing a cyclohexane ring appendage attached via an ether, thioether, amine, oxime, ester or amide linkage were synthesized and their antifungal activity was evaluated in vitro. Compounds containing a thioether bond or an oxime bond as a linkage exhibited potent MICs (< or = 0.125 microg/mL) against four Candida albicans strains including azole-low-susceptible strains. They were also active (MIC < or = 0.125 microg/mL) against Candida glabrata. Their in vivo efficacy was confirmed in a murine intravenous infection model with Candida albicans.

Micromonospora olivasterospora sp. nov.

A new species of bacteria is described, for which we propose the name Micromonospora olivasterospora. This organism produces new aminoglycoside antibiotics (the fortimicin complex) and is characterized by its olive black spore layer, spores with blunt spiny surfaces, an olive green soluble pigment, and its carbon utilization pattern. The type strain of M. olivasterospora is MK70 (= ATCC 21819).

Similarity of ribosomal proteins studied by two-dimensional coelectrophoresis for identification of Gram-positive bacteria

A two-dimensional electrophoresis method was devised for comparing ribosomal proteins from different bacteria. First-dimension separation of the proteins was carried out by nonequilibrium pH gradient gel electrophoresis in glass capillary tubes. Next, the first-dimension gels were developed in a slab gel by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Within about 3 h (total running time), 40 to 48 distinct and compact ribosomal protein spots were detected in each of the 34 strains belonging to eight genera of gram-positive bacteria which we studied. Similarity coefficients (SAB values) among the proteins of Corynebacterium and Arthrobacter strains were calculated by determining the numbers of coincident spots obtained by coelectrophoresis. The SAB values between strains having DNA relatedness values of more than 61% (strains of the same species) were greater than 0.85, whereas the SAB values between strains of different species were less than 0.45. Ribosomal protein analysis by our improved method is a potential tool for species identification of bacteria.

3-O-Methylrhamnose: identification and distribution in Catellatospora species and related actinomycetes

3-O-methylrhamnose was found in cell walls of Catellatospora ferruginea. This sugar was purified and identified by proton and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy, using the acetylation method. It is localized in the cell wall fraction and occurs at a constant ratio among the cell wall sugars when various carbon sources are used for growth. 3-O-methylrhamnose was found in nine strains of Catellatospora species containing MK-10 as the major menaquinone, but not in nine strains containing MK-9. Among 22 type strains of genera related to Catellatospora (Actinoplanes, Amorphosphorangium, Ampullariella, Dactylosporangium, Micromonospora, Glycomyces, and “Catenuloplanes”), 4 strains contained only trace quantities, and the remainder contained none. Thus, we propose that 3-O-methylrhamnose is a key sugar in the chemotaxonomy of the genes Catellatospora.

Transformation of 3-thiazoliomethylcephalosporin into 3-spirocephalosporin by intramolecular Michael addition

3-Thiazoliomethylcephalosporin 1 was transformed under alkaline conditions into 3-spirocephalosporin 6. The structures of three isolated stereoisomers were elucidated by NMR experiments.

Studies on the Utilization of Hydrocarbon by Microorganisms: Part XVIII. Fermentative Production of Orotic Acid and Orotidine from Hydrocarbon

An uracil-requiring mutant (KY7122) of Arthrobacter paraffineus KY4303 (ATCC15591) was found to accumulate orotic acid and orotidine on n-paraffine as a sole carbon source.Both substances were definitely indentified as orotic acid and orotidine, from the results on column and paper chromatography, UV and IR absorption spectra, elementary analysis and analyses of hydrolysate.Cultural conditions for orotic acid and orotidine fermentation were then investigated. As the carbon source n-paraffines from C14 to C16 were the most suitable for the fermentation, and sorbitol, fructose and mannitol were best utilized for the growth, and orotidine produced from them were twice as much as those from hydrocarbon. The addition of 200 mg of uracil and 2 g of C. S. L to 1 liter of medium was most optimal for orotic acid and orotidine fermentation.Orotic acid and orotidine accumulations were enhanced by the addition of either l-tyrosine, l-leusine, l-threonine, gluconate or meat extract.