ABSTRACT

Application of molecular genetics to antibiotic biosynthesis and production in microorganisms has increased rapidly in the last few years (Martin and Gil, 1982; Hopwood and Chater, 1984; Ingolia and Queener, 1989; Miller and Ingolia, 1989) but is still in the early stages of development. The medical and industrial importance of these compounds insures further progress. The biosynthesis of penicillins and cephalosporins is relatively well understood; steps in the biosynthetic pathways of penicillin G (and V) and of several cephalosporins have been characterized at the enzyme level (Queener and Neuss, 1982; Demain, 1983; Martin and Aharonowitz, 1983; Abraham, 1986; Martin and Liras, 1985; Baldwin and Abraham, 1988.)