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Streptomyces facts for kids

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Streptomyces
Streptomyces sp 01.png
Slide culture of a Streptomyces species
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Actinobacteria
Order:
Actinomycetales
Genus:
Streptomyces

Waksman & Henrici 1943

Streptomyces is the largest genus of Actinobacteria. Over 500 species of Streptomyces bacteria have been described. They are bacteria, but their manner of growth makes them look like fungi. They form long thin threads or hyphae. However, they are not related to fungi

As with other Actinobacteria, streptomycetes are gram-positive and have genomes with high GC content. Mostly the bacteria live in soil and decaying vegetation and produces spores as its method of reproduction.

Streptomycetes produce over two-thirds of the clinically useful antibiotics of natural origin (e.g., tetracycline, neomycin and chloramphenicol). The now uncommonly used streptomycin takes its name directly from Streptomyces.

Streptomyces is the largest antibiotic-producing genus, making antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic drugs. They also make a wide range of other bioactive compounds, such as immunosuppressants.

Almost all of the bioactive compounds produced by Streptomyces are made while the hyphae are forming from the substrate mycelium.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Streptomyces para niños

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