Phylogenetic analysis of Saccharothrix and related taxa: proposal for Actinosynnemataceae fam. nov.

Partial sequences for 16S rDNA were determined for strains of the genus Sac charothrix, including most described species, as well as strains of the des cribed species of the related genera Kutzneria, Actinokineospora and Actino synnema. These were aligned with published sequences for other species of t hese genera, as well as those of the genera 'Actinoalloteichus', 'Asiospora ngium',,Lentzea, Kutzneria, Streptoalloteichus and representative taxa from other actinomycete families. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence data sh owed that species of the genera Actinokineospora, Actinosynnema, Lentzea an d Saccharothrix are members of the same clade, and distinct from the Pseudo nocardiaceae. It is proposed that a new family be created within the class Actinobacteria for these genera, to be called the Actinosynnemataceae on th e basis of the oldest described genus within this family, Actinosynnema Has egawa et al. The chemotaxonomic properties of all the genera to be placed w ithin the new family have similar cell wall type (type III), whole-cell sug ars (generally galactose although mannose and rhamnose may be present), pho spholipid type (PII) and menaquinones [MK-9(H-4) predominant].