Analysis of the dose-dependent response of the ribosome-targeting antibiotic lincomycin on gene expression and its relationship to growth and secondary metabolism of S. coelicolor A3(2).

Lincomycin is a lincosamide antibiotic that forms cross-links within the peptidyl transferase loop region of the 23S rRNA of the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, thereby inhibiting protein synthesis. We have previously reported that lincomycin at concentrations below the minimum inhibitory concentration potentiates the production of secondary metabolites in actinomycete strains. We aimed to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms underlying lincomycin induction of secondary metabolism in actinomycetes. Therefore, the dose-dependent response of lincomycin on gene expression of the model actinomycetes Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) and possible relationships to secondary metabolism have been investigated.