Genome-based analysis of non-ribosomal peptide synthetase and type-I polyketide synthase gene clusters in all type strains of the genus Herbidospora

Background The genus Herbidospora comprises actinomycetes belonging to the family Streptosporangiaceae and currently contains five recognized species. Although other genera of this family often produce bioactive secondary metabolites, Herbidospora strains have not yet been reported to produce secondary metabolites. In the present study, to assess their potential as secondary metabolite producers, we sequenced the whole genomes of the five type strains and searched for the presence of their non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and type-I polyketide synthase (PKS) gene clusters. These clusters are involved in the major secondary metabolite–synthetic pathways in actinomycetes.