A breakdown in macromolecular synthesis preceding differentiation in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2).

A transitory cessation of growth was recorded in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) at the end of vegetative mycelium formation on solid medium. In the same phase a striking reduction in protein and nucleic acid synthesis was detected. Growth and macromolecular synthesis resumed, nearly reaching the original values, when morphological differentiation occurred. It is concluded that a physiological stress occurs within the bacterial population just before the onset of the morphological differentiation.