Micromonospora -Produced Gentamicin Components

Abstract

After the chromatographic separation of [ methyl - 14 C]gentamicin major (C) components from a large-scale radioactive fermentation (Lee et al., 1974), [ methyl - 14 C]gentamicin minor (polar) components (A, B, B 1 , X 2 , and G-418) were isolated from subsequent chromatography of the remaining antibiotic mixture. When l -[ methyl - 14 C]methionine was added at the onset of biosynthesis of the gentamicin components, incorporation of label into the minor components preceded incorporation into the major components. Degradation occurred when [ methyl - 14 C]gentamicin major components (C 1 , C 2 and C 1 a) were added respectively to the gentamicin-producing culture medium and shaken.