[Metabolism of alpha-ketoacids in erythromycin biosynthesis in various strains of Saccharopolyspora erythraea].

The absence of pyruvate and insignificant levels of alpha-keto-glutarate in the mycelium during the fermentation cycle were characteristic of a highly active erythromycin-producing strain of Saccharopolyspora erythraea. Alpha-keto-glutarate partially excreted to the fermentoffon broth. The activity of pyruvate decarboxylase and alpha-keto-glutarate decarboxylase was detected in the cells during the entire period of the cultivation. The same regularities were observed in the chloramphenicol resistant mutant of the strain. The mycelium of a low productive strain of S.erythraea contained not only alpha-keto-glutarate but also pyruvate and excreted large amounts of keto-acids. By the activity levels of the decarboxylases the low productive strain did not differ from the highly productive one. Propanol did not influence the growth of the low productive strain and the synthesis of erythromycin by it. However, it stimulated accumulation of keto-acids and especially pyruvate in both the mycelium and fermentation broth. Relation between the intensity of keto-acid metabolism and erythromycin biosynthesis is discussed.