Studies on the biosynthesis of streptomycin.

Myo-inositol, especially in combination with arginine, enhances streptomycin production. Compounds which show structural relationship with myo-inositol are ineffective. Myo-inositol decreases the incorporation of C 14 -glucose into streptomycin, particularly into streptidine. This effect suggests that myo-inositol is a precursor of the streptidine ring. Methionine stimulates antibiotic production in a synthetic medium but proves to be unfavorable in a complex medium. The γ- and δ-isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane inhibit streptomycin formation. The formation of streptomycin by washed mycelium was studied. Essentially the same results were here obtained as with growing cultures.