Myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase in different Streptomyces griseus variants

The activity of myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase (MIPS, EC 5.5.1.4.) from streptomycin producing and non-producing strains of Streptomyces griseus was measured during the life cycle on different culture media. The activity varied in the different S. griseus variants and depended on the time of cultivation and the composition of the culture medium. Strains characterized by low MIPS levels are also low streptomycin producers. The enzyme is unstable. It loses 70% of its activity in the crude extract after 18 h at 0 degree C. (NH4)2SO4 and DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) in 20% solution are suitable stabilizing agents, the loss of activity being only 10% in 0.5 M (NH4)2SO4 solution during 24 h. With the applied purification procedure the specific activity of the enzyme was increased 23-fold. According to preliminary estimations, its molecular mass (Mr) is about 216 kDa with a pH optimum of 8.3 and Mg2+-dependent enzyme activity.