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Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Visual and Microscopic Evaluation of Streptomyces Developmental Mutants
Published on: September 12, 2018
Symbiotic Streptomycetes provide antibiotic combination prophylaxis for wasp offspring
Johannes Kroiss1, Martin Kaltenpoth, Bernd Schneider
1Research Group Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany.
Abstract:
Beewolf digger wasps cultivate specific symbiotic bacteria (Streptomyces spp.) that are incorporated into the larval cocoon for protection against pathogens. We identified the molecular basis of this protective symbiosis in the natural context and demonstrate that the bacteria produce a 'cocktail' of nine antibiotic substances. The complementary action of all symbiont-produced antibiotics confers a potent antimicrobial defense for the wasp larvae that parallels the 'combination prophylaxis' known from human medicine.
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