ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACLACINOMYCIN-A-NON-PRODUCING STREPTOMYCES-GALILAEUS (ATCC-31615) MUTANTS

Twelve mutants of Streptomyces galilaeus (ATCC 31615) blocked in the p roduction of aclacinomycin A, an anthracycline antibiotic with signifi cant antitumour activity, accumulated intermediates of the biosynthesi s of aclacinomycins and several anthracyclines with variant sugar moie ties. Three of these aklavinone glycosides have not been described bef ore. Mutant strains H028, H061 and H036 were blocked before the format ion of aklavinone, a common intermediate for most anthracyclines. Stra in H039 accumulated aklavinone and H026, H035, H038 and H054 had mutat ions that changed glycosylation of aklavinone. Characterization of the mutants and their products is described.