Subinhibitory Concentrations of Antibiotics Induce Phenazine Production in a Marine <i>Streptomyces</i> sp.

Abstract

Subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics were found to enhance and modulate the production of new phenazines, streptophenazines A−H, in a marine Streptomyces isolate. The streptophenazines differ in length and substitution of an alkyl chain. The pattern of metabolites formed depends on the antibiotic used. In the presence of tetracycline, streptophenazines F and G were induced and the production of streptophenazines A−D was increased. When using bacitracin, mainly streptophenazine H was produced. Streptophenazines C and H showed moderate activity against Bacillus subtilis, while streptophenazine C was also active against Staphylococcus lentus.