Mycolic Acid Containing Bacterium Stimulates Tandem Cyclization of Polyene Macrolactam in a Lake Sediment Derived Rare Actinomycete.

Two novel macrolactams, dracolactams A and B, were identified from a combined-culture of Micromonospora species and a mycolic-acid containing bacterium (MACB). Their structures and stereochemistries were completely assigned, based on spectroscopic analyses and chemical derivatization. Both dracolactams were probably generated from a common macrolactam precursor produced by the Micromonospora species. In this combined-culture system, MACB is likely to activate cryptic oxidase genes in the Micromonospora species and induce the downstream polyene macrolactam cyclization.