RESUMEN
The population analysis of Actinomyces tumemacerans and Actinomyces albus var. fungatus has revealed identical homologous series of spontaneous variants, this suggesting the genetical relationship of the cultures. Variants of the same type (basic, oligosporous, asporogenous and proactinomycete-like) are identical not only according to their individual properties (Kuznetsov, 1973) but also in total characteristics typical of the variants of a given species. Populations of the studied cultures comprise variants synthesizing several antibiotics, i.e. albofungin, albonursin and tetraene (basic and oligosporous variants), albofungin and tetraene (asprogenous green variants), as well as variants producing only one tetraene antibiotic (proactinomycete-like variants). Therefore, the population analysis based on the law of homologous series in hereditary variability of actinomycetes can be used as a new approach to the taxonomy of these microorganisms.
Asunto(s)
Streptomyces/clasificación , Antibacterianos/biosíntesis , Antibiosis , Evolución Biológica , Variación Genética , Especificidad de la Especie , Esporas Bacterianas , Streptomyces/genética , Streptomyces/metabolismoRESUMEN
Detailed studies of the taxonomical characteristics and the complex of produced antibiotics made it possible to establish the identity of Actinomyces albus var. fungatus, Solovieva et Rudaya, 1959 and Actinomyces tumemacerans, Krassilnikov et Koveshnikov, 1962. Both organisms produce a complex of antibiotics comprising albofungin, albonursin, and a polyene antibiotic belonging to the group of tetraenes. The cultures do not belong to the group of verticillate actinomycetes as was believed earlier (Krassilnikov, 1970). The later name, Actinomyces tumemacerans, is more appropriate since the organism described under the name of Act. albus var. fungatus differs sharply from other representatives of Act. albus and therefore cannot be regarded as its variety (nomen confusum). Actinomyces sp. RIA-248 producing albofungin differs from Act. tumemacerans P-42 as well as from Act. albus var. fungatus RIA-247 by the complex of produced antibiotics and other taxonomic properties. Apparently, it should be classed as a new species.