Acetylation of blasticidin S by its producing actinomycetes.

A blasticidin S-producing actinomycetes, Streptoverticillium sp. JCM 4673 possesses an enzyme activity which acetylates the drug in the presence of acetyl coenzyme A. The modified drug was biologically inactive when tested against protein synthesis in vivo and in vitro. Production of the enzyme which acetylates blasticidin S increases with formation of the antibiotic during cell growth.