Taxonomy of actinomycetes capable of hydroxylation of ML-236B (compactin)

Abstract

Three actinomycetes having capability of 3.beta.-hydroxylation of ML-236B were isolated from soil samples collected in Australia. Strain SANK 62781 was identified as Nocardia autotrophica. Strain SANK 62881 and strain SANK 62981 were identified as new subspecies of N. autotrophica, for which the name N. autotrophica ssp. canberrica and N. autotrophica ssp. amethystina are proposed, respectively. The type strains of N. autotrophica ssp. canberrica and N. autotrophica ssp. amethystina are ATCC 35203 and ATCC 35204.