Biosynthesis of fattiviracin FV-8, an antiviral agent

Streptomyces microflavus strain No. 2445 produces many derivatives of fatti viracin antibiotics. The major product of these derivatives is fattiviracin FV-8, which consists of four glucose and two trihydroxy fatty acid residue s. We found that this strain has the ability to convert several sugars in t he culture medium to glucose, and the glucose added to the medium is direct ly incorporated into the FV-8 molecule. Two trihydroxy fatty acid residues in the FV-8 molecule are derived from acetic acid, and production of FV-8 i s inhibited bg the addition of cerulenin, which is an inhibitor of fatty ac id biosynthesis.