Screening and characterization of microorganisms with FR901379 acylase activity.

A simple and rapid screen was performed for microorganisms producing cyclic lipopeptide acylase, an enzyme that deacylates the acyl side chain of FR901379 to yield a cyclic peptide, FR179642, which is an important intermediate in producing micafungin. Among approximately 3800 newly isolated strains from soil samples, 5 microorganisms expressing high acylase activity were selected and classified, 3 as Streptomyces spp. and 2 as filamentous fungi. This is the first time that these strains have been identified as cyclic lipopeptide acylase producers. Both fungi and streptomycetes showed differing optimum pH and temperature profiles for acylase activity.