Abstract

The relationship between morphological differentiation and production of trypsin-like protease (TLP_ in streptomycetes was studied. All the Streptomyces spp. In this study produced TLP just before the onset of aerial mycelium formation. Addition of TLP inhibitor, TLCK, to the top surface of colonies inhibited aerial mycelium formation as well as TLP inhibitor, TLCK, to the top surface of colonies inhibited aerial mycelium formation as well as TLP activity. Addition of 2% glucose to the Bennett agar medium repressed both the aerial mycelium formation and TLP production in S. abuvaviensis, S. coelicolor A3(2), S exfoliatus, S. microflavus, S. roseus, s. lavendulae, and S. rochei. However the addition of glucose did not affect S. limosus, S. felleus, S. griseus, S. phaechromogenes, and S. rimosus. The glucose repression on aerial mycelium formation and production of TLP was relieved by the addition of glucose anti-metabolite (methyl α-glucopyranoside). Therefore, it was concluded that TLP production is coordinately regulated with morphological differentiation and TLP activity is essential for morphological differentiation in streptomycetes. The proposed role of TLP is that TLP participates in the degradation of substrate mycelium protein for providing nutrient for aerial mycelial growth.

• Keywords: streptomyces; trypsin-like protease; morphological differentiation; TLCK; glucose repression; substrate mycelium; aerial mycelium; scanning elecron microscopy