Proteomics survey of Streptomyces coelicolor strains with natural gross chromosome change

Streptomyces coelicolor normally produce spores with a relatively high heterogeneity, which will produce genetically heterogeneous sub-populations. These sub-populations often exert massive chromosome amplifications and deletions. Cells with gross chromosomal changes produce an increased diversity of secondary metabolites and secrete significantly more antibiotics; however, these changes come at the cost of dramatically reduced individual fitness, providing direct evidence for a trade-off between secondary metabolite production and fitness. We propose that antibiotic production in colonies of the multicellular bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor is coordinated by a division of labour. This proteomics survey will provide more detailed insights into how these chromosomal changed strains behave under normal growth condition.