Studies on the biosynthesis of carbapenem antibiotics. IV. Beta-alanine in the C-3 pantetheinyl side chain of the OA-6129 group of carbapenems.

Radioactive beta-alanine was specifically incorporated into the beta-alanine moiety of the C-3 pantetheinyl side chain of the OA-6129 group of carbapenems by Streptomyces sp. OA-6129, while no added radioactive pantothenate was taken up into the mycelia. The extracellular concentrations of beta-alanine and pantothenate in the broth of Streptomyces sp. OA-6129 increased with the production of the carbapenems. The production levels of beta-alanine and pantothenate markedly differed between carbapenem-producing streptomycetes and nonproducers, with the exception of Streptomyces cattleya, a thienamycin producer, suggesting a possible relation of carbapenem biosynthesis with the levels of beta-alanine and pantothenate.