THE USE OF PCR TO ISOLATE A PUTATIVE ABC TRANSPORTER FROM SACCHAROPOLYSPORA-ERYTHRAEA

A gene (ertX) encoding a putative ABC transporter was cloned from the erythromycin producer Saccharopalyspora erythraea, using PCR. The prim ers were based on regions of homology from ABC transporters which conf er resistance to macrolide antibiotics. While ertX encodes a protein w ith a strong degree of similarity to other macrolide ABC transporters from streptomycetes and staphylococci, it did not confer resistance to erythromycin, tylosin, spiramycin, oleandomycin, josamcin, chalcomyci n or midecamycin when subcloned into sensitive streptomycete hosts. So uthern blot analysis suggested that ertX did not constitute part of th e erythromycin gene cluster as identified to date.