Biosynthesis of formycin. Role of certain amino acids in formycin biosynthesis.

Working with Streptomyces sp. MA406-A-1, effects of addition of various amino acids on the production of formycin were examined. In replacement culture, it was confirmed that lysine, aspartate or glutamate stimulates the production of formycin and carbon molecules in these amino acids incorporated efficiently into formycin. It is estimated that biosynthesis of formycin in this organism is closely related to lysine metabolism but not to biosynthesis of purine nucleosides.