Mutations affecting pigment synthesis in Mycobacterium aurum.

Pigmentation mutants of Mycobacterium aurum were isolated after chemical mutagenesis. Examination of the pigments extracted from these mutants indicated that at least 15 carotenoids were formed. beta-Carotene was not detected and the major carotene of M. aurum appeared to be leprotene. The possible biosynthetic pathway is discussed on the basis of these results.