Genus Kitasatospora, taxonomic features and diversity of secondary metabolites

Abstract

The genus Kitasatospora was proposed in 1982. Although Kitasatospora strains resemble Streptomyces strains in morphology, they are clearly different in cell-wall composition, as they contain both LL- and meso-diaminopimelic acid. Aerial and submerged spores contain LL-, while vegetative and submerged mycelia contain mainly meso- in their cell walls. Currently, 23 species have been validly proposed. Members of the genus Kitasatospora form a tight cluster and represent a legitimate genus distinct from Streptomyces on the basis of phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. A variety of biologically active compounds have been found from Kitasatospora strains and structures of these compounds are extremely diverse. Genome sequences of 15 strains published so far are about 7-9 Mb in size and contain many genes governing secondary metabolites.