TITLE:
Unexpected Properties of Micromonosporae from Marine Origin
AUTHORS:
L. A. Maldonado, E. T. Quintana
KEYWORDS:
Actinobacteria, Actinomycetes, Aerial Mycelia, Micromonospora, Spores
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Microbiology,
Vol.5 No.6,
June
26,
2015
ABSTRACT: Members of the genus Micromonospora show a complex life cycle which normally involves the presence of substrate
or vegetative mycelia and sporulation with single spores born on the vegetative
hyphae followed by the synthesis of a dark extracellular polysaccharide.
Bergey’s Manual states that micromonosporae rarely produces aerial mycelia (AM)
and if so, is considered “sterile”.
During the characterisation of novel micromonosporae from the Sea of Cortes, it
was observed that AM is produced reproducibly in the presence of certain carbon
and/or nitrogen sources. Micromanipulation of the AM subcultured onto fresh
media produced colonies; hence, this structure should not be called “sterile”. TEM of the AM producing
isolates suggests that the spores also show activity as reported for bacilli of
marine origin. This would be the first report of the presence of “inducible” AM
in micromonosporae of marine sources and that the spores of this genus have a
role other than just dispersal.