Glycosylation and production characteristics of epothilones in alkali-tolerant Sorangium cellulosum strain So0157-2.

3-O-alpha-D-ribofuranosyl epothilone A (epothiloneoside A) is a major component of glycosylated epothilones in Sorangium cellulosum strain So0157-2. The production and glycosylation ratios of epothiloneoside A in both solid and liquid culture conditions with various pH values and carbon sources were studied. The results showed that glycosylation occurs whenever epothilones are produced, regardless of changes in pH values, production time curves, and different carbon sources. We suggest that glycosylation is a stable process, paralleling the biosynthesis of epothilones in the So0157-2 strain.