Abstract
Endophytic actinobacteria offer great potential as a source of novel bioactive compounds. In order to investigate the potential for the production of secondary metabolites by endophytes, we recovered a filamentous microorgansism from the tree Antidesma neurocarpum Miq. After phenotypic analysis and whole genome sequencing we demonstrated that this organism, SUK42 was a member of the actinobacterial genus Kitasatospora. This strain has a small genome in comparison with other type strains of this genus and has lost metabolic pathways associated with Stress Response, Nitrogen Metabolism and Secondary Metabolism. Despite this SUK42 can grow well in a laboratory environment and encodes a core genome that is consistent with other members of the genus. Finally, in contrast to other members of Kitasatospora, SUK42 encodes saccharide secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters, one of which with similarity to the acarviostatin cluster, the product of which displays α-amylase inhibitory activity. As extracts of the host plant demonstrate this inhibitory activity, it suggests that the potential medicinal properties of A. neurocarpum Miq might be provided by the endophytic partner and illustrate the potential for exploitation of endophytes for clinical or industrial uses.
Highlights
Natural products hold great potential for novel drug discovery and members of the actinobacteria are amongst the most prolific producers of bioactive natural compounds (Barka et al, 2016)
In order to identify novel endophytic actinobacteria, SUK 42 was isolated from the internal tissue of stem from the plant, Antidesma neurocarpum Miq. 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that SUK42 was most closely related to Streptomyces xanthocidicus
Macro-morphological characterization was carried out following standard protocols (Shirling and Gottlieb, 1966), aerial mycelia were observed on ISP-3 and ISP-4 whilst pigmentation was observed on all agars (Figure 1B); melanin was not produced on ISP-7
Summary
Natural products hold great potential for novel drug discovery and members of the actinobacteria are amongst the most prolific producers of bioactive natural compounds (Barka et al, 2016) Despite their abundance in soil, more recently alternative environments such as plant tissues have been investigated for their discovery (Barka et al, 2016). Such organisms include symbiotic, endophytic actinobacteria that occupy an ecological niche within plant tissues and have recently begun to generate great interest as a potential source of novel natural products with industrial, environmental or clinical applications (Zin et al, 2007; Singh and Dubey, 2018). Endophytic actinobacteria, especially from the genus Streptomyces, are known to synthesize active compounds which make these bacteria a rich source of natural products for clinical applications (Strobel, 2003), such as antimalarial (Ahmad et al, 2021)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
