Phenotypic variation in Streptomyces sp. DSM 40537, a lipoteichoic acid producing actinomycete

Aims: To reinvestigate the production of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) by the actinomycete strain Streptomyces sp. DSM 40537 (=ATCC 3351). Methods and Results: LTA was extracted and purified from strain Streptomyces sp. DSM 40537. The identification of the LTA was confirmed by Western blotting with a monoclonal antibody. During these studies, two stable phenotypic variants of DSM 40537 were obtained, one of which released a distinctive orange pigment. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of each variant yielded identical sequences and allowed phylogenetic analysis to be performed. Conclusions: Streptomyces sp. DSM 40537 was shown to exhibit stable morphological variation. The strain was confirmed to be a LTA-producing actinomycete and to belong to the Streptomyces albidoflavus cluster within the genus Streptomyces. Significance and Impact of the Study: These data provide important support for the hypothesis that the distribution of LTA is linked to that of wall teichoic acids and emphasizes the need to reinvestigate LTA distribution in actinomycetes.