Kytococcus sedentarius (formerly Micrococcus sedentarius) and Dermacoccus nishinomiyaensis (formerly Micrococcus nishinomiyaensis) produce monensins,typical Streptomyces cinnamonensis metabolites

The environmental isolate Kytococcus sedentarius TR-2 was found to be a new producer of the oligoketide antibiotics monensin A and B. Electron microsc opic studies demonstrated that the TR-2 strain had coccoid cells and DNA an alysis revealed no close relationship to Streptomyces cinnamonensis, a typi cal monensin producer. Production of monensins was also proven with six cul ture collection K. sedentarius strains and three Dermacoccus nishinomiyaens is strains. The secondary metabolism of micrococci demonstrates a high degr ee of instability. Biosynthesis of monensins by micrococci endorses a phylo genetic relationship to Streptomyces spp.