Cosynthesis and protoplast fusion by mutants of bialaphos (AMPBA) producing Streptomyces hygroscopicus.

Cosynthesis in mixed culture and protoplast fusion of non-producing mutants of Streptomyces hygroscopicus which may produce biosynthetic intermediates of bialaphos (AMPBA) were studied. Non-producing mutants were obtained by mutagenesis with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) treatment, and six stable non-producing mutants were used for cosynthesis and protoplast fusion studies. The biosynthetic block sites of the non-producers were consistent with studies of the biosynthetic pathway of AMPBA.