Bacteria Genomes - STREPTOMYCES COELICOLOR

Streptomyces coelicolor belongs to a family of bacteria known as streptomycetes, these are used to produce most of the natural antibiotics in use today, including tetracycline and erythromycin; streptomycetes also produce natural anti-cancer and immune-suppressing compounds.

Streptomycetes are ubiquitous Gram-positive soil bacteria, and they play a key role in the global carbon cycle by degrading the insoluble remains of other organisms. Streptomyces coelicolor has a large collection of enzymes and can metabolise many diverse nutrients. The microbe is hardy enough to survive significant changes in temperature, water, and food sources.

Streptomycetes are members of the same taxonomic order as the organisms that cause tuberculosis and leprosy, both of which have been sequenced therefore much should be learned about these pathogens from genome-level comparisons with harmless saprophytic relatives such as streptomycetes.

The Streptomyces coelicolor sequence is a new tool for researchers trying to develop pharmaceuticals through the genetic engineering of bacteria.

References:

http://genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/05_02/medicinal_microbe.shtml
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001, 98 (21):12215-20