Streptomyces are of special interest for two reasons.
First, their morphological complexity is unique among bacteria. Second, coincident with morphological development, they produce as natural products most of the antibiotic compounds used in human and animal health care. The properties of Streptomyces mutants blocked in the initiation of sporulation suggest a direct connection between carbon-source catabolite repression, activation of antibiotic biosynthesis, and morphological development. Regulated heterologous gene expression in Streptomyces , Smith Kline Beecham. Carbon and nitrogen regulation of antibiotic biosynthesis in Streptomyces , Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company.