Genetic recombination in Micromonospora rosaria by protoplast fusion

Auxotrophic strains of Micromonospora rosaria were isolated by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N'-nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis and used in intraspecific recombination by protoplast fusion. High-frequency fusion of protoplasts of M. rosaria strains was induced by polyethylene glycol (molecular weight, 1,000) (PEG 1,000). The optimum concentration of PEG 1,000 for fusion of M. rosaria was 50% (wt/vol). PEG 4,000 was slightly better than PEG 1,000 at concentrations lower than 50% (wt/vol). The recombinant frequency did not increase after treatment with PEG 1,000 (50% [wt/vol]) for longer than 20 min. Under these conditions, fusion with many auxotrophic strains of M. rosaria resulted in a high frequency of formation of true recombinants (sometimes more than 10%). Additionally, when ros (rosamicin nonproducing) strains were crossed by protoplast fusion; about 5% of the resultant prototrophic recombinants were shown to have the ros+ (rosamicin producing) characteristic restored. Rosamicin production by M. rosaria colonies was clearly distinguished by the broth overlay method. The results of fusion experiments between ros and ros+ strains indicated that either the chromosomal mutation or pleiotrophic effect of some auxotrophic markers is involved.