Abstract
Starting with the discovery of streptomycin, the promise of natural products research on actinomycetes has been captivating researchers and offered an array of life-saving antibiotics. However, most of the actinomycetes have received a little attention of researchers beyond isolation and activity screening. Noticeable gaps in genomic information and associated biosynthetic potential of actinomycetes are mainly the reasons for this situation, which has led to a decline in the discovery rate of novel antibiotics. Recent insights gained from genome mining have revealed a massive existence of previously unrecognized biosynthetic potential in actinomycetes. Successive developments in next-generation sequencing, genome editing, analytical separation and high-resolution spectroscopic methods have reinvigorated interest on such actinomycetes and opened new avenues for the discovery of natural and natural-inspired antibiotics. This article describes the new dimensions that have driven the ongoing resurgence of research on actinomycetes with historical background since the commencement in 1940, for the attention of worldwide researchers. Coupled with increasing advancement in molecular and analytical tools and techniques, the discovery of next-generation antibiotics could be possible by revisiting the untapped potential of actinomycetes from different natural sources.
Highlights
Actinomycetes are ubiquitous Gram-positive bacteria that constitute one of the largest bacterial phyla with characteristic filamentous morphology and high G+C DNA
The actinomycetes have been recognized as premier source and inspiration for a substantial fraction of antibiotics that play an important role in human health
Last two decades has seen a move by pharmaceutical giants away from microbial natural product discovery efforts, and such efforts continue to flourish in research institutes with promising results
Summary
Actinomycetes are ubiquitous Gram-positive bacteria that constitute one of the largest bacterial phyla with characteristic filamentous morphology and high G+C DNA. The actinomycetes have been recognized as premier source and inspiration for a substantial fraction of antibiotics that play an important role in human health. The most striking fact is that these filamentous bacteria have
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