Streptomyces avermitilis

General Information

Streptomyces avermitilis is a fascinating microorganism primarily known for its production of avermectins, a group of compounds with potent anthelmintic and insecticidal properties. These compounds have been widely used in agriculture and medicine, particularly in the treatment of parasitic infections in humans and animals. The discovery of avermectins has had a profound impact on global health, earning the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for its discoverers. One of the unique aspects of S. avermitilis is its complex secondary metabolism, which allows it to produce a wide array of bioactive compounds. This makes it a valuable organism for natural product research and drug discovery. The genome of S. avermitilis has been fully sequenced, revealing a large number of gene clusters responsible for the biosynthesis of various secondary metabolites. This genetic information provides a rich resource for biotechnological applications, including the engineering of new drugs and the enhancement of existing ones. Additionally, S. avermitilis exhibits a filamentous growth form, which is characteristic of the genus Streptomyces. This growth form is associated with the production of spores and the formation of a mycelial network, which can be advantageous for the colonization of soil environments. The organism's ability to degrade complex organic materials also contributes to its ecological role in nutrient cycling. In summary, Streptomyces avermitilis is a microorganism of significant interest due to its production of medically and agriculturally important compounds, its complex secondary metabolism, and its potential for biotechnological innovation. Its fully sequenced genome further enhances its value as a model organism for studying natural product biosynthesis and for developing new therapeutic agents.

Streptomyces avermitilis is a remarkable actinobacterium known primarily for its ability to produce the anthelmintic agent avermectin, which is widely used in veterinary medicine and agriculture to control parasitic infections in livestock and crops. This organism is particularly interesting due to its complex secondary metabolite production, which includes not only avermectin but also a variety of other bioactive compounds that have potential applications in pharmaceuticals and agriculture. One of the unique features of S. avermitilis is its extensive genome, which has been sequenced and found to contain numerous biosynthetic gene clusters. This genomic richness allows for the potential discovery of new natural products, making it a valuable organism for biotechnological research. The ability to manipulate its genetic material has opened avenues for synthetic biology, where researchers can engineer strains to enhance the production of desired metabolites or to produce novel compounds. Additionally, S. avermitilis serves as a model organism for studying the biology of filamentous bacteria, particularly in the context of differentiation and development. Its life cycle includes the formation of aerial hyphae and spores, which are critical for its survival and dispersal in various environments. This aspect of its biology provides insights into the evolutionary adaptations of soil-dwelling microorganisms. In summary, Streptomyces avermitilis stands out not only for its practical applications in medicine and agriculture but also for its contributions to our understanding of microbial genetics and secondary metabolism. Its role in the production of important bioactive compounds makes it a focal point for ongoing research in natural product chemistry and biotechnology.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Actinomycetota

Class: Actinomycetes

Order: Kitasatosporales

Family: Streptomycetaceae

Genus: Streptomyces

Species: Streptomyces avermitilis

NCBI ID

33903

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/001/514/135/GCF_001514135.1_ASM151413v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_001514135.1_ASM151413v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The organism Streptomyces avermitilis is a significant actinobacterium known primarily for its role in the production of the antiparasitic agent avermectin, which is widely used in veterinary and human medicine. This compound has been particularly effective against nematodes and ectoparasites, making it crucial in the treatment of various parasitic infections. The clinical implications of S. avermitilis extend beyond its therapeutic applications; it is also a model organism for studying antibiotic resistance mechanisms due to its ability to produce a variety of bioactive compounds. In terms of pathogenicity, S. avermitilis is generally considered non-pathogenic to humans, but its close relatives within the genus can be opportunistic pathogens, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. The organism's ability to evade the immune response is not well-documented, but its production of secondary metabolites may play a role in modulating host defenses. Furthermore, the potential for antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern, as the overuse of antibiotics derived from Streptomyces species can lead to the emergence of resistant strains. Research into the genetic and biochemical pathways of S. avermitilis continues to provide insights into the development of new antibiotics and therapeutic agents. Overall, Streptomyces avermitilis holds a prominent place in both clinical and pharmaceutical microbiology, with ongoing relevance in the fight against infectious diseases.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

Streptomyces avermitilis is a soil-dwelling bacterium that thrives in a variety of terrestrial ecosystems, particularly in nutrient-rich soils found in temperate and tropical regions. This microorganism is commonly associated with the rhizosphere, where it interacts closely with plant roots, contributing to soil health and fertility. Its ability to produce a wide range of bioactive compounds, including the well-known anthelmintic agent avermectin, highlights its significant role in the ecosystem as a natural pest control agent. In its natural habitat, Streptomyces avermitilis engages in competitive interactions with other soil microorganisms, which can influence microbial community dynamics. It is also known for its ability to form spores, allowing it to survive in harsh environmental conditions such as drought or nutrient scarcity. This adaptation is crucial for its persistence in the soil biome. Furthermore, Streptomyces avermitilis exhibits symbiotic relationships with various plants, enhancing their growth and resistance to pathogens. This mutualistic interaction underscores its importance in agricultural ecosystems, where it can improve crop yields and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Overall, the ecological niche of Streptomyces avermitilis is characterized by its role as a decomposer, antibiotic producer, and plant growth promoter, making it a vital component of the soil biome.

Industrial Application

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The microorganism Streptomyces avermitilis is renowned for its significant contributions to various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. This actinobacterium is best known for its ability to produce avermectins, a class of macrocyclic lactones that are potent antiparasitic agents. These compounds are widely used in veterinary medicine and agriculture, particularly for the treatment of parasitic infections in livestock and crops. The production of avermectins involves the fermentation of S. avermitilis, where specific growth conditions are optimized to enhance yield and potency of the bioactive compounds. In addition to its pharmaceutical applications, S. avermitilis plays a role in biodegradation processes. It has been shown to possess the ability to degrade various environmental pollutants, making it a candidate for use in waste management strategies. The enzymatic activities of S. avermitilis can facilitate the breakdown of complex organic materials, contributing to the remediation of contaminated sites. Furthermore, the organism is also being explored for its potential in biofuel production. The metabolic pathways of S. avermitilis can be harnessed to convert biomass into biofuels through fermentation processes, thereby contributing to sustainable energy solutions. Overall, Streptomyces avermitilis exemplifies the versatility of microorganisms in industrial applications, showcasing its importance in pharmaceutical development, waste management, and biofuel production through various biotechnological processes.

Phenotypes and Predictions

The table shows the phenotypes and predictions. Cell colors indicate the class of the value. When literature-based data is available, a checkmark (✓) indicates a correct prediction, while an ✗ indicates an incorrect prediction.

Literature-based phenotypes: 8

LLM predicted phenotypes: 5

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	google/gemini-flash-1.5	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	google/gemma-7b-it	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemini-pro-1.5	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	google/gemini-pro	google/gemini-pro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	openchat/openchat-7b	openchat/openchat-7b	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro
Motility	N/A	false	false	false	false	true	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false
Gram staining	gram stain positive	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain negative ✗	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓
Aerophilicity	aerobic	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	FALSE	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗
Biofilm formation	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Animal pathogenicity	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Biosafety level	biosafety level 1	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 3 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓
Health association	N/A	false	true	false	true	true	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true
Host association	FALSE	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗
Plant pathogenicity	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓
Spore formation	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Hemolysis	N/A	gamma	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cell shape	tail	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗

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