FR2851773A1 - New polynucleotides encoding proteins involved in spiramycin biosynthesis, useful for improving synthesis of macrolide antibiotics or for generating new hybrid macrolides - Google Patents

Abstract

Polynucleotide (I) that encodes a polypeptide involved in biosynthesis of spiramycin (A) is any of 47 sequences (B) given in the specification, variants (B') of (B), or equivalents of (B) and (B') within the degeneracy of the genetic code. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) polynucleotides (Ia) that hybridize to (I) under stringent conditions; (2) polynucleotides (Ib) that are at least 70% identical with at least 10 consecutive nucleotides (nt) of (I); (3) polypeptide (II) expressed by (I), (Ia) or (Ib); (4) polypeptides (IIa) involved in synthesis of (A) that have any of 61 sequences (C), reproduced, derivatives (C') of (C) having one or more substitutions, insertions or deletions of amino acids (aa) in (C), and variants of (C) and (C'); (5) polypeptide (IIb) at least 70% identical with at least 10 consecutive aa of (IIa); (6) recombinant DNA (Ic) that contains at least one (I), (Ia) or (Ib); (7) expression vector containing at least one sequence encoding (IIa) or (IIb); (8) expression system comprising vector and host cells able to produce (IIa) or (IIb); (9) host cell containing at least one (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic) or the vector of (7); (10) method for producing (IIa) or (IIb); (11) microorganisms (X) blocked in a stage in the biosynthetic pathway of at least one macrolide (M); (12) the Streptomyces ambofaciensstrains CNCM I-2909 or 2911-2917, also SPM510; (13) method for preparing intermediates (MI) in biosynthesis of (M); (14) method for preparing a macrolide derivative (MD) by modification of MI; (15) microorganism (Y) that produces spiramycin I (AI) but not spiramycins II and III; (16) the Streptomyces ambofaciensstrain CNCM I-2910; (17) method for preparing (AI); (18) mutant microorganism (Z) that produces an (M) and has a genetic modification in at least one (I), (Ia) or (Ib) and/or overexpresses such sequences; (19) method for producing (M) by culturing (Z); (20) polynucleotide (Id) that is the complement of (I), (Ia) or (Ib); (21) microorganism (Z1) that produces at least one spiramycin and overexpresses a specific gene (Ie) or its degenerate equivalents; (22) strain S. ambofaciensOSC2/pSPM75(1 or 2), deposited as CNCM I-3101; (23) recombinant DNA (If) amplified from the S. ambofaciensplasmid pSPM36, or its fragments of at least 10 nucleotides; (24) vector containing (If); and (25) method for producing a polypeptide, using the vector of (24). ACTIVITY : Antibacterial; Immunosuppressive; Antirheumatic; Antiarthritic: Anthelmintic; Insecticide. No details of tests for these activities are given. MECHANISM OF ACTION : None given.

Description

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POLYPEPTIDES INVOLVED IN THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF SPIRAMYCINS. NUCLEOTIDIC SEQUENCES ENCODING THESE POLYPEPTIDES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS
The present invention relates to the isolation and identification of novel genes of the biosynthetic pathway of spiramycins and novel polypeptides involved in this biosynthesis. It also relates to the use of these genes in order to increase production rates and the purity of spiramycin produced.

 The invention also relates to the use of these genes for the construction of mutants which can lead to the synthesis of new antibiotics or forms derived from spiramycins. The invention also relates to the molecules produced by the expression of these genes and finally pharmacologically active compositions of a molecule produced by the expression of such genes.

 Streptomyces are Gram positive filamentous soil bacteria. They play an important role in the decomposition and mineralization of organic matter thanks to the great diversity of the degradative enzymes that they secrete. They present phenomena of morphological differentiation unique in prokaryotes accompanied by a metabolic differentiation characterized by the production of secondary metabolites with an extraordinary diversity of chemical structures and biological activities. These metabolites include spiramycins naturally produced by the bacterium Streptomyces ambofaciens.

 Spiramycin is a macrolide antibiotic useful in both veterinary medicine and human medicine. Macrolides are characterized by the presence of a lactone ring on which are grafted one or more sugars. Streptomyces ambofaciens naturally produces spiramycin I, II and III (see Figure 1), however the antibiotic activity of spiramycin 1 is significantly higher than that of

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 Spiramycins II and III (Liu et al., 1999). The spiramycin 1 molecule consists of a lactone macro-cycle called platenolide and three sugars: forosamine, mycaminosis and mycarose (see Figure 1). The antibiotic activity of spiramycins is due to an inhibition of protein synthesis in prokaryotes by a mechanism involving the binding of the antibiotic to the bacterial ribosome.

 Certain compounds belonging to the macrolide family and also having a lactone ring have given rise to uses outside the field of antibiotics.

Thus the product FK506 has immunosuppressive effects and offers prospects for therapeutic application in the field of organ transplantation, rheumatoid arthritis and more generally in pathologies related to autoimmune reactions. Other macrolides such as avermectin have insecticidal and helminthic activities.

 Many biosynthetic pathways, concerning antibiotics belonging to various classes as well as other secondary metabolites (for a review, Chater K.

1990) have so far been studied in Streptomycetes. However, knowledge of the biosynthetic pathways of spiramycins is only very partial today.

 The biosynthesis of spiramycins is a complex process involving many steps and involving many enzymes (Omura et al., 1979a, Omura et al., 1979b). Spiramycins belong to the broad class of polyketides which groups complex molecules particularly abundant in microorganisms of the soil. These molecules are grouped together not by analogy of structure but by a certain similarity in the steps of their biosynthetic pathway.

Indeed, the polyketides are produced by a complex series of reactions but have in common to have in their path of biosynthesis a series of reactions catalyzed by one or more enzymes called polyketide synthases (PKS). In Streptomyces ambofaciens, the biosynthesis of the lactam cyclic cycle of spiramycins (platenolide) is carried out by a series of eight modules coded by five different PKS genes (Kuhstoss S., 1996, US Patent 5,945,320). Spiramycins are obtained from this lactone ring. However, the various steps and enzymes involved in the

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 synthesis of sugars, as well as their linkage to the lactone cycle and the modification of this cycle to obtain spiramycins are still unknown today.

 US Patent 5,514,544 describes the cloning of a sequence called srmR in Streptomyces ambofaciens. It is hypothesized in this patent that the srmR gene encodes a protein regulating the transcription of genes involved in macrolide biosynthesis.

 In 1987, Richardson et al. (Richardson et al., 1987) showed that spiramycin resistance in S. ambofaciens is conferred by at least three genes, the latter called srmA, srmB and srmC. US Patent 4,886,757 describes more particularly the characterization of a DNA fragment of S. ambofaciens containing the srmC gene. However, the sequence of this gene has not been disclosed. In 1990, Richardson et al. (Richardson et al., 1990) hypothesized the existence of three spiramycin biosynthetic genes near srmB. US Patent 5,098,837 reports the cloning of five genes potentially involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycin. These genes have been named srmD, srmE, srmF, srmG and srmH.

 One of the major difficulties in producing compounds such as spiramycins is that very large volumes of fermentation are required to produce a relatively small amount of product. It is therefore desirable to be able to increase the production efficiency of such molecules in order to reduce their production costs.

 The biosynthetic pathway of spiramycins is a complex process and it would be desirable to identify and suppress the spurious reactions that may occur during this process. The purpose of such manipulation is to obtain a purer antibiotic and / or an improvement in productivity. In this regard, Streptomyces ambofaciens naturally produces spiramycin I, II and III (see Figure 1), however the antibiotic activity of spiramycin 1 is significantly higher than that of spiramycins II and

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 III (Liu et al., 1999). It would therefore be desirable to have strains producing only spiramycin I.

 Because of the commercial interest of macrolide antibiotics, obtaining new derivatives, especially spiramycin analogues having advantageous properties is intensively sought. It would be desirable to be able to generate in sufficient quantity the biosynthetic intermediates of the biosynthetic pathway of spiramycins or derivatives of spiramycins in particular for the purpose of producing hybrid antibiotics derived from spiramycins.

General description of the invention
The present invention results from the cloning of genes whose product is involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins. The invention firstly relates to novel genes of the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway and novel polypeptides involved in this biosynthesis.

clonées seront désignées par la suite o/7*c, orf2*c, orf3 *c, orf4*c, or/3* or/6*, orf7*c, or/8*, or/9*, orflO*, or/7, or/2, or/3, orf4, orf5, or/6, orf7, or/8, orj9c, or/10, orf11c, or/12, orfl3c, orfl4, orf15c, or/16, or/17, or/18, or/19, or/20, or/2 le, orf22c, orj23c,

or/24c, orj25c, or/26, or/27, orj28c, or/29, orf30c, or/31 et orj32c. La fonction des protéines codées par ces séquences dans la voie de biosynthèse des spiramycines est développée dans la discussion ci-après qui est illustrée par les figures 4, 5, 6 et 8. The genes of the biosynthetic pathway and the associated coding sequences were cloned and the DNA sequence of each was determined. Coding sequences

cloned will be referred to as o / 7 * c, orf2 * c, orf3 * c, orf4 * c, or / 3 * or / 6 *, orf7 * c, or / 8 *, or / 9 *, orflO *, gold / 7, gold / 2, gold / 3, orf4, orf5, gold / 6, gold7, gold / 8, gold9c, gold / 10, gold11c, gold / 12, goldfl3c, goldfl4, gold15c, gold / 16, gold / 17, gold / 18, gold / 19, gold / 20, gold / 2 le, orf22c, orj23c,

or / 24c, orj25c, or / 26, or / 27, orj28c, or / 29, orf30c, or / 31 and orj32c. The function of the proteins encoded by these sequences in the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway is developed in the following discussion which is illustrated by Figures 4, 5, 6 and 8.

 1) A first subject of the invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide involved in spiramycin biosynthesis, characterized in that the sequence of said polynucleotide is:

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 (a) one of SEQ ID NO: 3.5, 7.9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40, 43, 45, 47 , 49, 53, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 118, and 120, (b) one of sequences constituted by the variants of the sequences (a), (c) one of the sequences derived from the sequences (a) and (b) because of the degeneracy of the genetic code.

 2) The subject of the present invention is also a polynucleotide hybridizing under hybridization conditions of high stringency to at least one of the polynucleotides according to paragraph 1) above.

 3) The invention also relates to a polynucleotide having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 98% nucleotide identity with a polynucleotide comprising at least 10, 12, 15, 18, 20 to 25, 30, 40, 50,60, 70,80, 90,100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, 1050, 1100, 1150, 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350, 1400, 1450, 1500, 1550, 1600, 1650, 1700, 1750, 1800, 1850 or 1900 consecutive nucleotides of a polynucleotide according to paragraph 1) above .

 4) The invention also relates to a polynucleotide according to paragraph 2) or 3) above characterized in that it is isolated from a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces.

 5) The invention also relates to a polynucleotide according to paragraph 2), 3) or 4) above characterized in that it encodes a protein involved in the biosynthesis of a macrolide.

 6) The invention also relates to a polynucleotide according to paragraph 2), 3) or 4) above, characterized in that it encodes a protein having a similar activity to the protein encoded by the polynucleotide with which it hybridizes or he presents the identity.

 7) The invention also relates to a polypeptide resulting from the expression of a polynucleotide according to paragraph 1), 2), 3), 4), 5) or 6) above.

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 8) Another aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide involved in spiramycin biosynthesis characterized in that the sequence of said polypeptide is: (a) one of SEQ ID N 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 , 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29,31,32,33,35,37,38,39,41,42,44,46,48,50,51,52,54,55 , 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, -79, 81, 83, 85, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 117, 119 and 121, (b) one of the sequences as defined in (a) except that throughout said sequence one or more amino acids have been substituted, inserted or deleted without affecting its functional properties, (c) one of sequences consisting of the variants of sequences (a) and (b).

 9) Another subject of the invention relates to a polypeptide having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 98% amino acid identity with a polypeptide comprising at least 10, 15, 20, 30 to 40.50, 60.70, 80.90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320, 340, 360, 380, 400, 420, 440, 460, 480, 500, 520, 540,560, 580,600, 620 or 640 consecutive amino acids of a polypeptide according to paragraph 8) above.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide according to paragraph 9) above characterized in that it is isolated from a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces.

 11) Another aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide according to paragraph 9) or 10) above characterized in that it encodes a protein involved in the biosynthesis of a macrolide.

 12) Another aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide according to paragraph 9), 10) or 11) above characterized in that it has an activity similar to that of the polypeptide with which it shares the identity.

 13) Another aspect of the invention relates to a recombinant DNA characterized in that it comprises at least one polynucleotide according to one of paragraphs 1), 2), 3), 4), 5) or 6) above .

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 14) Another aspect of the invention relates to a recombinant DNA according to paragraph 13) above characterized in that said recombinant DNA is included in a vector.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to a recombinant DNA according to paragraph 14) above characterized in that said vector is selected from bacteriophages, plasmids, phagemids, integrative vectors, fosmids, cosmids, shuttle vectors, BACs or PACs.

 16) Another aspect of the invention relates to a recombinant DNA according to paragraph 15) above, characterized in that it is selected from pOS49.1, pOS49.11, pOSC49. 12, pOS49. 14, pOS49. 16, pOS49. 28, pOS44. 1, pOS44. 2, pOS44. 4, pSPM5, pSPM7, pOS49. 67, pOS49. 88, pOS49. 106, pOS49. 120, pOS49. 107, pOS49.32, pOS49. 43, pOS49. 44, pOS49. 50, pOS49. 99, pSPM17, pSPM21, pSPM502, pSPM504, pSPM507, pSPM508, pSPM509, pSPM1, pBXLllll, pBXL1112, pBXL1113, pSPM520, pSPM521, pSPM522, pSPM523, pSPM524, pSPM525, pSPM527, pSPM528, pSPM34, pSPM35, pSPM36, pSPM37, pSPM38, pSPM39, pSPM40, pSPM41, pSPM42, pSPM43, pSPM44, pSPM45, pSPM47, pSPM48, pSPM50, pSPM51, pSPM52, pSPM53, pSPM55, pSPM56, pSPM58, pSPM72, pSPM73, pSPM515, pSPM519, pSPM74 and pSPM75.

 17) Another aspect of the invention relates to an expression vector characterized in that it comprises at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide according to paragraph 7), 8), 9), 10), 11) or 12) above.

 18) The invention also relates to an expression system comprising an appropriate expression vector and a host cell for the expression of one or more polypeptides according to paragraph 7), 8), 9), 10), 11) or 12) above.

 19) The invention also relates to an expression system according to paragraph 18 above, characterized in that it is chosen from prokaryotic expression systems or eukaryotic expression systems.

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 20) The invention also relates to an expression system according to paragraph 19) above characterized in that it is selected from the expression systems in the bacterium E. coli, the baculovirus expression systems allowing expression in insect cells, expression systems allowing expression in yeast cells, expression systems allowing expression in mammalian cells.

 21) The invention also relates to a host cell into which at least one polynucleotide and / or at least one recombinant DNA and / or at least one expression vector has been introduced according to one of the following steps: 1), 2) , 3), 4), 5), 6), 13), 14), 15), 16) or 17) above.

 22) The invention also relates to a method for producing a polypeptide according to paragraph 7), 8), 9), 10), 11) or 12) above characterized in that said method comprises the following steps a) inserting at least one nucleic acid encoding said polypeptide into a suitable vector; b) culturing, in a suitable culture medium, a host cell previously transformed or transfected with the vector of step a); c) recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract; d) separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained in step c), said polypeptide; e) where appropriate, characterizing the recombinant polypeptide produced.

 23) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism blocked in a step of the biosynthetic pathway of at least one macrolide.

 24) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 23) above characterized in that it is obtained by inactivating the function of at least one protein involved in the biosynthesis of this or these macrolides in a microorganism producing this or these macrolide.

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 25) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 24) above characterized in that the inactivation of this or these proteins is carried out by mutagenesis in the gene or genes encoding said protein or by expression one or more antisense RNAs complementary to the RNA or messenger RNAs encoding said one or more proteins.

 26) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 25) above characterized in that the inactivation of this or these proteins is carried out by mutagenesis by irradiation, by action of mutagenic chemical agent, by mutagenesis directed or by gene replacement.

 27) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 25) or 26) above characterized in that the mutagenesis or mutagenesis are performed in vitro or in situ, by deletion, substitution, deletion and / or addition of one or more bases in the gene (s) considered or by gene inactivation.

 28) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 23), 24), 25), 26) or 27) above characterized in that said microorganism is a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces.

 29) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 23), 24), 25), 26), 27) or 28) above characterized in that the macrolide is spiramycin.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 23), 24), 25), 26), 27), 28) or 29) above characterized in that said microorganism is a strain of S. ambofaciens.

 31) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 23), 24), 25), 26), 27), 28), 29) or 30) above characterized in that the mutagenesis is carried out in at least one gene comprising a sequence according to one of paragraphs 1), 2), 3), 4), 5) or 6) above.

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 32) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 25), 26), 27), 28), 29), 30) or 31) above characterized in that the mutagenesis is carried out in one or more genes comprising one of the sequences corresponding to one or more of the sequences SEQ ID N 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40, 43 , 45, 47, 49, 53, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 118, and 120.

 33) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 25), 26), 27), 28), 29), 30), 31) or 32) above characterized in that mutagenesis consists of gene inactivation of a gene comprising a sequence corresponding to the sequence SEQ ID N 13.

 34) Another aspect of the invention relates to a strain of Streptomyces ambofaciens characterized in that it is a strain selected from: - one of the strains deposited with the National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms (CNCM) on July 10, 2002 under registration number 1-2909, 1- 2911,1-2912,1-2913,1-2914,1-2915,1-2916 or 1-2917 - strain SPM510.

 35) Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for preparing a macrolide biosynthesis intermediate, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) cultivating, in a suitable culture medium, a microorganism according to one of of paragraphs 23), 24), 25), 26), 27), 28), 29), 30), 31), 32), 33) or 34) above, b) recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract, c) separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained in step b), said biosynthesis intermediate.

 36) Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for preparing a molecule derived from a macrolide characterized in that a biosynthetic intermediate is prepared according to the method of paragraph 35) above and that one modifies the intermediate thus produced.

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 37) Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of preparation according to paragraph 36) above characterized in that one modifies said intermediate chemically, biochemically, enzymatically and / or microbiologically.

 38) Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of preparation according to paragraph 36) or 37) above characterized in that one introduces into said microorganism one or more genes encoding proteins capable of modifying the intermediate by using it as a substrate.

 39) Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of preparation according to paragraph 36), 37) or 38) above characterized in that the macrolide is spiramycin.

 40) Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of preparation according to paragraph 36), 37), 38) or 39) above characterized in that the microorganism used is a strain of S. ambofaciens.

41) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism producing spiramycin I but not producing spiramycin II and III
42) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 41) above, characterized in that it comprises all the genes necessary for the biosynthesis of spiramycin 1 but that the gene comprising the sequence SEQ ID N 13 or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived from them because of the degeneracy of the genetic code and encoding a polypeptide of sequence SEQ ID No. 14 or one of its variants is not expressed or has been rendered inactive.

 43) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 42) above characterized in that said inactivation is carried out by mutagenesis in the gene encoding said protein or by the expression of a complementary antisense RNA messenger RNA encoding said protein.

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 44) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 43) above characterized in that said mutagenesis is carried out in the promoter of this gene, in the coding sequence or in a non-coding sequence so as to render inactivates the encoded protein or prevents its expression or translation.

 45) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to claim 43) or 44) above characterized in that the mutagenesis is carried out by irradiation, by action of mutagenic chemical agent, by site-directed mutagenesis or by gene replacement .

 46) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 43), 44) or 45) above characterized in that the mutagenesis is carried out in vitro or in situ, by deletion, substitution, deletion and / or addition of one or more bases in the gene under consideration or by gene inactivation.

 47) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 41) or 42) above, characterized in that said microorganism is obtained by expressing the genes of the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway without these genes being understood. the gene comprising the sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 13 or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived from them because of the degeneracy of the genetic code and encoding a polypeptide of sequence SEQ ID No. 14 or the one of its variants.

 48) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 41), 42), 43), 44), 45), 46) or 47) above characterized in that said microorganism is a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces .

 49) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 41), 42), 43), 44), 45), 46), 47) or 48) above characterized in that said microorganism is obtained at from a starting strain producing spiramycins I, II and III.

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 Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 41), 42), 43), 44), 45), 46), 47), 48) or 49) above, characterized in that is obtained by mutagenesis in a gene comprising the sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 13 or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived from them because of the degeneracy of the genetic code and encoding a polypeptide of sequence SEQ ID N 14 or one of its variants having the same function.

 51) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 41), 42), 43), 44), 45), 46), 47), 48), 49) or 50) above characterized in that that said microorganism is obtained from a strain of S. ambofaciens producing spiramycins I, II and III, in which gene inactivation of the gene comprising the sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 13 or one of the sequences derived from this one because of the degeneracy of the genetic code.

 52) Another aspect of the invention relates to a strain of S. ambofaciens characterized in that it is the strain deposited with the National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms (CNCM) July 10, 2002 under the number of registration 1-2910.

 53) Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing spiramycin I, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: (a) cultivating, in a suitable culture medium, a microorganism according to one of the paragraphs 41 ), 42), 43), 44), 45), 46), 47), 48), 49), 50), 51) or 52) above (b) recovering the conditioned culture medium or an extract (c) separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained in step b), spiramycin I.

 54) Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a polynucleotide according to one of paragraphs 1), 2), 3), 4), 5) or 6) above to improve the production of macrolide d a microorganism.

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 55) Another aspect of the invention relates to a mutant macrolide-producing microorganism characterized in that it possesses a genetic modification in at least one gene comprising a sequence according to one of the paragraphs 1), 2), 3), 4 ), 5) or 6) above and / or overexpressing at least one gene comprising a sequence according to one of paragraphs 1), 2), 3), 4), 5) or 6) above .

 56) Another aspect of the invention relates to a mutant microorganism according to paragraph 55) above characterized in that the genetic modification consists of a deletion, a substitution, a deletion and / or an addition of one or more bases in the gene or genes considered for the purpose of expressing one or more proteins having a higher activity or of expressing a higher level of this or these proteins.

 57) Another aspect of the invention relates to a mutant microorganism according to paragraph 55) above characterized in that the overexpression of the gene of interest is obtained by increasing the number of copies of this gene and / or by placing a more active promoter as the wild promoter.

 58) Another aspect of the invention relates to a mutant microorganism according to paragraph 55) or 57) above characterized in that overexpression of the gene of interest is obtained by transforming a macrolide-producing microorganism with a recombinant DNA construct according to 13.14 or 17 above, allowing overexpression of this gene.

 59) Another aspect of the invention relates to a mutant microorganism according to paragraph 55), 56), 57) or 58) above characterized in that the genetic modification is carried out in one or more genes comprising one of the sequences corresponding to one or more of the sequences SEQ ID N 3.5, 7.9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40, 43, 45, 47, 49, 53, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 118, and 120, or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived from them because of the degeneracy of the genetic code.

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 60) Another aspect of the invention relates to a mutant microorganism according to paragraph 55), 56), 57), 58) or 59) above characterized the microorganism overexpresses one or more genes comprising one of the sequences corresponding to one or more sequences SEQ ID N 3.5, 7.9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40, 43, 45, 47, 49, 53, 60 , 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 118, and 120, or one of its variants or the one of the sequences derived from these because of the degeneracy of the genetic code.

 61) Another aspect of the invention relates to a mutant microorganism according to paragraph 55), 56), 57), 58), 59) or 60) above characterized in that said microorganism is a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces.

 62) Another aspect of the invention relates to a mutant microorganism according to paragraph 55), 56), 57), 58), 59), 60) or 61) above characterized in that the macrolide is spiramycin.

 63) Another aspect of the invention relates to a mutant microorganism according to paragraph 55), 56), 57), 58), 59), 60), 61) or 62) above characterized in that said microorganism is a strains of S. ambofaciens.

 64) Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing macrolides, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: (a) cultivating, in a suitable culture medium, a microorganism according to one of paragraphs 55) , 56), 57), 58), 59), 60), 61), 62), 63) or 64) above, (b) recovering the conditioned culture medium or cell extract, (c) separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained in step b), the macrolide or macrolides produced.

 65) Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a sequence and / or a recombinant DNA and / or a vector according to one of paragraphs 1), 2), 3), 4), 5), 6), 7), 8), 9), 10), 11), 12), 13), 14), 15), 16) or 17) above for the preparation of hybrid antibiotics.

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 66) Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of at least one polynucleotide and / or at least one recombinant DNA and / or at least one expression vector and / or at least one polypeptide and / or at least one host cell according to one of paragraphs 1), 2), 3), 4), 5), 6), 7), 8), 9), 10), 11), 12), 13), 14), 15), 16), 17) or 21) above to perform one or more bioconversions.

 67) Another aspect of the invention relates to a polynucleotide characterized in that it is a polynucleotide complementary to one of the polynucleotides according to paragraph 1), 2), 3), 4), 5), or 6) above.

 68) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism producing at least one spiramycin characterized in that it overexpresses: a gene that can be obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the pair of primers of the following sequence: 5 'AAGCTTGTGTGCCCGGTGTACCTGGGGAGC 3' (SEQ ID N 138) and 5 'GGATCCCGCGACGGACACGACCGCCGCGCA 3' (SEQ ID N 139) and as a template the cosmid pSPM36 or the total DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens, - or a gene derived from that because of the degeneracy of the genetic code.

 69) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 68 characterized in that it is a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces.

 70) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 68 or 69 characterized in that it is a bacterium of the species Streptomyces ambofaciens.

 71) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 68, 69 or 70 characterized in that the overexpression of said gene is obtained by transformation of said microorganism by an expression vector.

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 72) Another aspect of the invention relates to a strain of Streptomyces ambofaciens characterized in that it is the strain OSC2 / pSPM75 (1) or strain OSC2 / pSPM75 (2).

 73) Another aspect of the invention relates to a recombinant DNA characterized in that it comprises: a polynucleotide capable of being obtained by polymerase chain reaction using the following pair of primers: 5 'AAGCTTGTGTGCCCGGTGTACCTGGGGAGC 3 (SEQ ID NO: 138) and 5 'GGATCCCGCGACGGACACGACCGCCGCGCA 3' (SEQ ID N 139) and as a template the cosmid pSPM36 or the total DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens, or a fragment of at least 10, 12, 15, 18, 20 to 25, 30, 40, 50.60, 70.80, 90.100, 150.200, 250.300, 350.400, 450.500, 550.600, 650.700, 750.800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, 1050, 1100, 1150, 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350, 1400, 1450, 1460, 1470, 1480, 1490 or 1500 consecutive nucleotides of this polynucleotide.

 74) Another aspect of the invention relates to a recombinant DNA according to paragraph 73 characterized in that it is a vector.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to a recombinant DNA according to paragraph 73 or 74 characterized in that it is an expression vector.

 76) Another aspect of the invention relates to a host cell into which at least one recombinant DNA has been introduced according to one of paragraphs 73, 74 or 75.

 77) Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of producing a polypeptide characterized in that said method comprises the following steps: a) transforming a host cell with at least one expression vector according to paragraph 75; b) culturing, in a suitable culture medium, said host cell; c) recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract;

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 d) separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained in step c), said polypeptide; e) where appropriate, characterizing the recombinant polypeptide produced.

 78) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 51 characterized in that the gene inactivation is carried out by deletion in phase of the gene or a part of the gene comprising the sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 13 or one of the sequences derived from it because of the degeneracy of the genetic code.

 79) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to one of paragraphs 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 or 78, characterized in that it overexpresses in addition: a gene which can be obtained by polymerase chain reaction using the following pair of primers: 5 'AAGCTTGTGTGCCCGGTGTACCTGGGGAGC 3' (SEQ ID N 138) and 5 'GGATCCCGCGACGGACACGACCGCCGCGCA 3' (SEQ ID N 139 ) and as a template the cosmid pSPM36 or the total DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens.

or a gene derived from it because of the degeneracy of the genetic code.

 80) Another aspect of the invention relates to an expression vector characterized in that the polynucleotide of sequence SEQ ID No. 47 or a polynucleotide derived therefrom due to the degeneracy of the genetic code is placed under the control of a promoter allowing the expression of the protein encoded by said polynucleotide in Streptomyces ambofaciens.

 81) Another aspect of the invention relates to an expression vector according to paragraph 80 characterized in that it is the plasmid pSPM524 or pSPM525.

 82) Another aspect of the invention relates to a strain of Streptomyces ambofaciens transformed by a vector according to paragraph 80 or 81.

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 83) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to one of paragraphs 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 78 or 79, characterized in that it overexpresses in addition, the coding sequence gene SEQ ID No. 47 or a coding sequence derived therefrom due to the degeneracy of the genetic code.

 84) Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism according to paragraph 83 characterized in that it is the SPM502 pSPM525 strain deposited with the National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms (CNCM) Institut Pasteur, 25, rue du Dr. Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, February 26, 2003 under the registration number 1-2977.

 85) Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing spiramycin (s), characterized in that it comprises the following steps: (a) cultivating, in a suitable culture medium, a microorganism according to one of the 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 78, 79, 82, 83 or 84, (b) recovering the conditioned culture medium or cell extract, (c) separating and purifying from said culture medium, or from the cell extract obtained in step b), spiramycins.

 86) Another aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide characterized in that its sequence comprises the sequence SEQ ID N 112.

 87) Another aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide characterized in that its sequence corresponds to the translated sequence of the coding sequence of: - a gene capable of being obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the pair of primers of the following sequence: 5 'AAGCTTGTGTGCCCGGTGTACCTGGGGAGC 3' (SEQ ID N 138) and 5 'GGATCCCGCGACGGACACGACCGCCGCGCA 3' (SEQ ID N 139) and as a template the cosmid pSPM36 or the total DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens, or of a gene derived from it because of the degeneracy of the genetic code.

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 88) Another aspect of the invention relates to an expression vector for the expression of a polypeptide according to paragraph 86 or 87 in Streptomyces ambofaciens.

 89) Another aspect of the invention relates to an expression vector according to paragraph 88 characterized in that it is the plasmid pSPM75.

General Definitions
The term "isolated" in the sense of the present invention means a biological material (nucleic acid or protein) that has been removed from its original environment (the environment in which it is naturally located).

 For example, a polynucleotide naturally occurring in a plant or animal is not isolated. The same polynucleotide separated from the adjacent nucleic acids in which it is naturally inserted into the genome of the plant or animal is considered "isolated".

 Such a polynucleotide may be included in a vector and / or such a polynucleotide may be included in a composition and still remain in the isolated state because the vector or composition does not constitute its natural environment.

 The term "purified" does not require that the material be present in a form of absolute purity, exclusive of the presence of other compounds. It is rather a relative definition.

 A polynucleotide is in the "purified" state after purification of the starting material or natural material of at least one order of magnitude, preferably 2 or 3 and preferably 4 or 5 orders of magnitude.

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 For the purposes of the present invention the term ORF (Open Reading Frame) has been used to refer in particular to the coding sequence of a gene.

 For purposes of this disclosure, the term "nucleotide sequence" may be used to denote either a polynucleotide or a nucleic acid.

The term "nucleotide sequence" encompasses the genetic material itself and is therefore not restricted to information about its sequence.

 The terms "nucleic acid", "polynucleotide", "oligonucleotide" or nucleotide sequence "encompass RNA, DNA or cDNA sequences or hybrid RNA / DNA sequences of more than one nucleotide, regardless of whether the simple form chain or in the form of duplex.

 The term "nucleotide" refers to both naturally occurring nucleotides (A, T, G, C) as well as modified nucleotides that include at least one modification such as (1) a purine analogue, (2) an analogue of a purine, a pyrimidine, or (3) a similar sugar, examples of such modified nucleotides being described for example in the PCT application N WO 95/04 064.

 For purposes of the present invention, a first polynucleotide is considered to be "complementary" to a second polynucleotide when each base of the first polynucleotide is matched to the complementary base of the second polynucleotide whose orientation is reversed. The complementary bases are A and T (or A and U), or C and G.

 The term genes of the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway also includes regulatory genes and genes conferring resistance to producing microorganisms.

 The term "fragment" of a reference nucleic acid according to the invention, a nucleotide sequence of reduced length relative to the reference nucleic acid and comprising, on the common part, a nucleotide sequence identical to the acid reference nuclei.

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 Such a "fragment" of nucleic acid according to the invention may optionally be included in a larger polynucleotide of which it is constitutive.

 Such fragments comprise or alternatively consist of polynucleotides of length ranging from 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20 to 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250. , 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, 1050, 1100, 1150, 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350, 1400, 1450, 1500 , 1550, 1600, 1650, 1700, 1750, 1800, 1850 or 1900 consecutive nucleotides of a nucleic acid according to the invention.

 The term "fragment" of a polypeptide according to the invention will be understood to mean a polypeptide whose amino acid sequence is shorter than that of the reference polypeptide and which comprises over all the part common to these reference polypeptides, a sequence of amino acids identical.

 Such fragments may, where appropriate, be included within a larger polypeptide of which they are part.

 Such fragments of a polypeptide according to the invention may have a length of 10, 15,20, 30 to 40,50, 60,70, 80,90,100, 120,140, 160,180, 200,220, 240,260, 280, 300, 320, 340, 360, 380, 400, 420, 440, 460, 480, 500, 520, 540, 560, 580, 600, 620 or 640 amino acids.

 Highly stringent hybridization conditions within the meaning of the present invention will be understood to mean hybridization conditions that discriminate against the hybridization of non-homologous nucleic acid strands. Highly stringent hybridization conditions can be described, for example, as hybridization conditions in the buffer described by Church & Gilbert (Church & Gilbert, 1984) at a temperature of between 55 ° C. and 65 ° C., preferably the temperature The hybridization temperature is 60 ° C. and more preferably the hybridization temperature is 65 ° C., followed by one or more washings carried out in a buffer. 2X SSC (the IX SSC buffer corresponds to an aqueous solution

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 0.15 M NaCl, 15 mM sodium citrate) at a temperature of between 55 ° C. and 65 ° C., preferably this temperature is 55 ° C., more preferably still this temperature is 60 ° C. and quite exactly preferred this temperature is 65 C, followed by one or more washes in 0.5X SSC buffer at a temperature between 55 C and 65 C, preferably this temperature is 55 C, even more preferably this temperature is of 60 C and quite preferably this temperature is 65 C.

 It goes without saying that the hybridization conditions described above can be adapted as a function of the length of the nucleic acid whose hybridization is sought or of the type of marking chosen, according to techniques known to those skilled in the art. . Suitable hybridization conditions may for example be adapted according to the work of F. Ausubel et al (2002).

 By "variant" of a nucleic acid according to the invention is meant a nucleic acid which differs from one or more bases relative to the reference polynucleotide. A variant nucleic acid may be of natural origin, such as a naturally occurring allelic variant, or may also be a non-natural variant obtained for example by mutagenesis techniques.

 In general, the differences between the reference nucleic acid and the variant nucleic acid are reduced so that the nucleotide sequences of the reference nucleic acid and the variant nucleic acid are very close and, in many regions , identical. The nucleotide modifications present in a variant nucleic acid can be silent, which means that they do not alter the amino acid sequences encoded by said variant nucleic acid.

 However, nucleotide changes in a variant nucleic acid may also result from substitutions, additions, deletions in the polypeptide encoded by the variant nucleic acid relative to the peptides encoded by the reference nucleic acid. In addition, nucleotide modifications in the coding regions may

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 produce conservative or non-conservative substitutions in the amino acid sequence.

 Preferably, the variant nucleic acids according to the invention encode polypeptides which retain substantially the same function or biological activity as the polypeptide of the reference nucleic acid or the capacity to be recognized by antibodies directed against the polypeptides encoded by the initial nucleic acid.

 Some variant nucleic acids will thus encode mutated forms of the polypeptides, the systematic study of which will make it possible to deduce the structure-activity relationships of the proteins in question.

 By "variant" of a polypeptide according to the invention is meant mainly a polypeptide whose amino acid sequence contains one or more substitutions, additions or deletions of at least one amino acid residue, with respect to the sequence of amino acids of the reference polypeptide, it being understood that the amino acid substitutions may be indifferently conservative or non-conservative.

 Preferably, the variant polypeptides according to the invention retain substantially the same function or biological activity as the reference polypeptide or the ability to be recognized by antibodies directed against the initial polypeptides.

 By polypeptide having "similar activity" to a reference polypeptide in the sense of the invention is meant a polypeptide having a biological activity similar to, but not necessarily identical to, that of the reference polypeptide as measured in a suitable biological assay. to the extent of the biological activity of the reference polypeptide.

 By "hybrid antibiotic" within the meaning of the invention is meant a compound generated by the construction of an artificial biosynthetic pathway using recombinant DNA technology.

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Detailed description of the invention
The present invention more particularly relates to new genes of the biosynthetic pathway of spiramycins and new polypeptides involved in this biosynthesis as presented in the detailed description below.

 The genes of the biosynthetic pathway were cloned and the DNA sequence of these genes was determined. The sequences obtained were analyzed using the FramePlot program (Ishikawa J & Hotta K. 1999). Among the open reading phases, open reading frames with a typical codon usage of Streptomyces have been identified. This analysis showed that this region has 42 ORFs located on either side of five genes encoding the enzyme polyketide synthase (PKS). On either side of these five genes coding for PKS, respectively 10 and 32 ORFs were identified downstream and upstream (downstream and upstream being defined by the orientation of the PKS genes all oriented in the same meaning) (see Figure 3 and 37). Thus, the 32 open reading frames of this type, occupying a region of approximately 40 kb (see SEQ ID No. 1 having a first region of 31 kb containing 25 ORFs and SEQ ID N 106 having a region of about 10, 3 kb of which 1402 bp overlap the previous sequence (SEQ ID No. 1) and about 9 kb correspond to the remainder of the sequence (with however a region of about 450 nucleotides whose sequence has not been determined (region symbolized by N in said sequence)), this last part of 9 kb containing 7 additional ORFs (including a partial sequence ORF, due to the indeterminate region), see also FIGS. 3 and 37 and below), have been identified upstream 5 genes encoding PKS and occupying a region of about 11.1 kb (SEQ ID N 2 and Figure 3) were identified downstream of the PKS genes. The 10 genes located downstream of the 5 PKS genes have been named orfl * c, orf2 * c, orf3 * c, orf4 * c, orf5 *, orf6 *, orf7 * c, or / 8 * or / 9 * or / 10 * (SEQ ID NO: 3, 5, 7.9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21). The c added in the name of the gene means for the ORF in question that the coding sequence is in the reverse orientation (the coding strand is therefore the complementary strand of the sequence given in SEQ ID No. 2 for these genes). Using the same nomenclature, the 32 ORFs upstream of the PKS genes were named gold / 7, or / 5, or / 3, orf4, orf5, orf6,

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or/20, o7c, orf22c, orf23c, orf24c, orf25c, orf26, orj27, orj28c, orf29, orf30c, orf31 et orj32c (SEQ ID N 23,25, 28,30, 34,36, 40,43, 45,47, 49,53, 60,62, 64,66, 68, 70,72, 74,76, 78,80, 82, 84, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 118, et 120) (cf. figure 3 et 37). orf7, orf8, orj9c, or / 70, orfllc, orfl2, orfi3c, orfl4, orfl5c, orfl6, orfl7, orfl8, orfl9,

or / 20, o7c, orf22c, orf23c, orf24c, orf25c, orf26, orj27, orj28c, orf29, orf30c, orf31 and orj32c (SEQ ID N 23,25, 28,30, 34,36, 40,43, 45,47 , 49.53, 60.62, 64.66, 68, 70.72, 74.76, 78.80, 82, 84, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 118, and 120) (see FIG. 3 and 37).

 The protein sequences deduced from these open reading phases were compared with those present in different databases through different programs: BLAST (Altschul et al., 1990) (Altschul et al., 1997), CD-search, COGs ( Cluster of Orthologous Groups) (these three programs are available from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) (Bethesda, Maryland, USA)), FASTA (Pearson W. R & DJ Lipman, 1988) and (Pearson WR, 1990). BEAUTY (Worley KC et al., 1995)), (these two programs are accessible in particular from the INFOBIOGEN resource center, Evry, France). These comparisons made it possible to formulate hypotheses on the function of the products of these genes and to identify those likely to be involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins.

spiramycines. Il s'agit des 9 gènes suivants : orfl *c, orf2*c, orf3*c, orf4*c, orf5*, or/6*, orf7*c, or/8* et or/9*. Genes located downstream of genes coding for PKS
A schematic representation of the organization of the region is presented in FIG. 3. As will be demonstrated below, on the 10 genes identified downstream of the genes encoding the PKS 9 appear to be involved in the biosynthesis or resistance to

spiramycin. These are the following 9 genes: orfl * c, orf2 * c, orf3 * c, orf4 * c, orf5 *, or / 6 *, orf7 * c, or / 8 * and or / 9 *.

 In the following Table 1 are presented references to the DNA and amino acid sequence of the genes identified downstream of the PKS genes.

Table 1

<Tb>
<tb> Gene <SEP> Position <SEP> in <SEP><SEP> Sequence <SEP> DNA <SEP> Sequences <SEP> polypeptides
<tb> sequence <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 2
<tb> orf1 * c <SEP> 10882 <SEP> to <SEP> 10172 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 3 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 4
<Tb>

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<Tb>
<tb> orf2 * c <SEP> 10052 <SEP> to <SEP> 8781 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 5 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 6 <September>
<tb> orf3 * c <SEP> 8741 <SEP> to <SEP> 7476 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 7 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 8
<tb> orf4 * c <SEP> 7459 <SEP> to <SEP> 6100 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 9 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 10 <September>
<tb> orf5 * <SEP> 5302 <SEP> to <SEP> 5976 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 11 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 12
<tb> orf6 * <SEP> 4061 <SEP> to <SEP> 5305 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 13 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 14
<tb> orf7 * c <SEP> 3665 <SEP> to <SEP> 2817 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 15 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 16
<tb> orf8 * <SEP> 1925 <SEP> to <SEP> 2755 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 17 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 18
<tb> orf9 * <SEP> 1007 <SEP> to <SEP> 1888 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 19 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 20
<tb> orf10 * <SEP> 710 <SEP> to <SEP> 937 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 21 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 22
<Tb>

The c added in the name of the gene indicates that the coding sequence is in the reverse orientation (the coding strand is therefore the complementary strand of the sequence given in SEQ ID No. 2 for these genes).

 In order to determine the function of the identified polypeptides, three types of experiments were conducted: the comparison of identified sequences with known function sequences, gene inactivation experiments, leading to the construction of mutant strains and assays production of spiramycins and spiramycin biosynthesis intermediates by these mutant strains.

 The protein sequences deduced from these open reading phases were first compared with those present in different databases through different programs: BLAST (Altschul et al., 1990) (Altschul et al., 1997), CDsearch, COGs (Cluster of Orthologous Groups), FASTA (Pearson W. R & DJ

Lipman, 1988) and (Pearson W.R., 1990), BEAUTY (Worley K.C. et al., 1995)). These comparisons made it possible to formulate hypotheses on the function of the products of these genes and to identify those likely to be involved in spiramycin biosynthesis. Table 2 shows the proteins showing strong similarity to the gene products located downstream of the PKS genes.

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Table 2

<Tb>
<tb> Product <SEP> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> Access <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Reported <SEP> Function
<tb> of <SEP> gene <SEP> similarity <SEP> significant <SEP> GenBank <SEP> BLAST *
<Tb>

orfl *c TylMI(orf3 *) (S. fradiae) CAA57473 287 N-

orfl * c TylMI (orf3 *) (S. fradiae) CAA57473 287 N-

<Tb>
<tb> methyltransferase
<tb> orf2 * c <SEP> dnrQ <SEP> gene <SEP> product <SEP> ADF <SEP> 15266 <SEP> 153 <SEP> Unknown
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> peucetius)
<tb> orf3 <SEP> * c <SEP> TylM # (orf2 *) <SEP> (S. <SEP> fradiae) <SEQ> CAA57472 <SEQ> 448 <SEP> Glycosyltransferase
<tb> e
<tb> orf4 * c <SEP> Crotonyl-CoA <SEP> reductase <SEP> NP ~ 630556 <SEQ> 772 <SEP> Crotonyl-CoA
<tb> (S. <SEP> coelicolor) <SEP> reductase
<tb> or / 5 * <SEP> MdmC <SEP> (S. <SEP> Mycarofaciens) <SEP> B42719 <SEP> 355 <SEP> Omethyltransferase
<tb> orf6 * <SEP> 3-O-acyltransferase <SEP> (S. <SEP> Q00718 <SEP> 494 <SEP> Acyltransferase
<tb> mycarofaciens)
<tb> orf7 * c <SEP> MdmA <SEP> (S. <SEP> A60725 <SEP> 380 <SEP> Protein <SEP> involved
<tb> mycarofaciens) <SEP> in <SEP> the <SEP> resistance
<tb> to <SEP> the <SEP> midecamycin
<tb> orj8 * <SEP> ABC-transporter <SEP> (S. <SEP> CAC22119 <SEP> 191 <SEP> ABC-transporter
<tb> griseus)
<tb> orf9 * <SEP> ABC-transporter <SEP> (S. <SEP> CAC22118 <SEP> 269 <SEP> ABC-transporter
<tb> griseus)
<tb> orf10 * <SEP> putative <SEP> small <SEP> conserved <SEP> NP-627432 <SEQ> 109 <SEP> Not known
<tb> hypothetical <SEP> protein <SEP> (S.
<tb> coelicolor)
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 Gene inactivation experiments were performed to confirm these results.

The methods used consist in performing a gene replacement. The target gene to be interrupted is replaced by a copy of this gene interrupted by a cassette conferring resistance to an antibiotic (for example apramycin, geneticin or

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hygromycin). The cassettes used are bordered on both sides by translation termination codons in all the reading phases and by active transcription terminators in Streptomyces. The insertion of the cassette into the target gene may or may not be accompanied by a deletion in this target gene. The size of the regions flanking the cassette can range from a few hundred to several thousand base pairs. A second type of cassette can be used for the inactivation of genes: cassettes called excisable cassettes. These cassettes have the advantage of being excised in Streptomyces by a specific site recombination event after being introduced into the genome of S. ambofaciens. The goal is to inactivate certain genes in Streptomyces strains without leaving in the final strain of selection markers or large DNA sequences not belonging to the strain. After excision, only a short sequence of about 30 base pairs (called a scar site) remains in the genome of the strain (see Figure 10). The implementation of this system consists, first of all, in the replacement of the wild-type copy of the target gene (by virtue of two homologous recombination events, see FIG. 9) by a construction in which an excisable cassette has been inserted in this system. target gene. The insertion of this cassette is accompanied by a deletion in the target gene (see Figure 9). In a second step, the excision of the excisable cassette of the genome of the strain is caused. The excisable cassette operates by means of a site-specific recombination system and has the advantage of allowing the production of mutants of Streptomyces not ultimately carrying a resistance gene. It also avoids possible polar effects on the expression of genes located downstream of the inactivated gene (s) (see Figure 10). The strains thus constructed were tested for their production in spiramycins.

Inactivation of the orfl * c, orf2 * c, orf3 * c and orf4 * c genes was not performed because the sequence comparison experiments determined that these genes had a relatively high similarity to genes involved in the biosynthesis of a relatively close antibiotic. Thus, the orfl * c gene encodes a protein having an identity of 66% (determined by the BLAST program) with the tylMI gene encoded protein which encodes an N-methyltransferase involved in the

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 tylosin biosynthesis and catalyzing 3-N-methylation during mycaminosis production in Streptomyces fradiae (Gandecha, A.R. et al., 1997; GenBank Accession Number: CAA57473; BLAST Score: 287). This similarity with a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another relatively close antibiotic and more particularly in the biosynthesis of mycaminosis suggests that the orfl * c gene encodes an N-methyltransferase responsible for N-methylation during the biosynthesis of forosamine or mycaminosis (see Figure 5 and 6). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf1 * c gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 3).

Table 3

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> methyltransferase <SEP> (S. <SEP> antibioticus) <SEP> CAA05643 <SEP> 277 <SEP> Methyltransferase
<tb> N, N-dimethyltransferase <SEP> (S. <SEP> venezuelae) <SEP> AAC68678 <SEP> 268 <SEP> N, N-dimethyltransferase
<tb> probable <SEP> N-methylase <SEP> snogX <SEP> (S. <SEP> T46679 <SEP> 243 <SEP> N-methyltransferase
<tb> nogalater)
<Tb>
@ * greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

The orf2 * c gene encodes a protein having a relatively high similarity (35% identity) with a protein encoded by the tylMIII gene encoding a NDP hexose 3,4 isomerase involved in the biosynthesis of tylosin in Streptomyces fradiae (Gandecha, AR , et al., 1997; GenBank Access Number: CAA57471; BMAST Score:
130). This similarity with a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another close antibiotic and more particularly in the biosynthesis of mycaminosis

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 strongly suggests that the orf * 2c gene encodes a NDP hexose 3,4 isomerase responsible for isomerization during the biosynthesis of mycaminosis (see Figure 5).

 The orj3 * c gene encodes a protein with relatively high similarity (59% identity) with a protein encoded by the tylMII gene encoding a glycosyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of tylosin in Streptomycesfradiae (Gandecha, AR et al., 1997; GenBank Accession Number: CAA57472; BLAST Score: 448) This similarity to a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another nearby antibiotic strongly suggests that the orf * 3c gene encodes a glycosyltransferase.

This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the or / 3 * c gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 4).

Table 4

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> Glycosyl <SEP> transferase <SEP> (S. <SEP> venezuelae) <SEP> AAC68677 <SEP> 426 <SEP> Glycosyltransferase
<tb> Glycosyltransferase <SEP> (S. <SEP> antibioticus) <SEP> CAA05642 <SEP> 425 <SEP> Glycosyltransferase
<tb> Glycosyltransferase <SEP> CAA74710 <SEP> 395 <SEP> Glycosyltransferase
<tb> (Saccharopolyspora <SEP> erythraea)
<tb> Glycosyltransferase <SEP> (S. <SEP> antibioticus) <SEP> CAA05641 <SEP> 394 <SEP> Glycosyltransferase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The orf4 * c gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several crotonyl-CoA reductases. Notably, the protein encoded by orf4 * c has a significant similarity to a crotonyl CoA reductase from Streptomyces coelicolor (Redenbach, M et al., 1996; GenBank Accession Number: NP ~ 630556;

<Desc / Clms Page number 32>

 BLAST: 772). This similarity to a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another nearby antibiotic strongly suggests that the orf4 * c gene also encodes a crotonyl-CoA reductase. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf4 * c gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 5).

Table 5

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> trans-2-enoyl-CoA <SEP> reductase <SEP> S72400 <SEP> 764 <SEP> trans-2-enoyl-CoA
<tb> (EC1.3.1.38) <SEP> (S. <SEP> collinus) <SEP> reductase
<tb> Crotonyl <SEP> CoA <SEP> reductase <SEP> (S. <SEP> fradiae) <SEP> CAA57474 <SEP> 757 <SEP> Crotonyl <SEP> CoA <SEP> reductase
<tb> Crotonyl-CoA <SEP> reductase <SEP> (S. <SEP> AAD53915 <SEP> 747 <SEP> Crotonyl-CoA <SEP> reductase
<tb> cinnamonensis)
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The orf6 * gene has some similarity to the mdmB gene present in Streptomyces mycarofaciens (Hara and Hutchisnson, 1992, GenBank accession number: A42719, BLAST score: producer of macrolide antibiotic, in this producer the gene is involved in acylation of the lactone cycle The or / 6 * gene would therefore encode an acyltransferase This assumption is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf6 * gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 6).

<Desc / Clms Page number 33>

Table 6

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> similarity <SEP> significant <SEP> of access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> AcyA <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> J4001 <SEP> 450 <SEP> macrolide <SEP> 3-O-acyltransferase
<tb> thermotolerans)
<tb> Midecamycin <SEP> 4 "-O- <SEP> BAA09815 <SEP> 234 <SEP> Midecamycin <SEP>4" -O-propiony
<tb> propionyl <SEP> transferase <SEP> (S. <SEP> transferase
<tb> mycarofaciens)
<Tb>

MycaroseO-acyltransférase AAG13909 189 Mycarose O-acyltransférase

MycaroseO-acyltransferase AAG13909 189 Mycarose O-acyltransferase

<Tb>
<tb> (Micromonospora
<tb> megalomicea <SEP> subsp. <SEP> Nigra)
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The inactivation of the or / 6 * gene was carried out by a deletion / insertion in phase and it was shown that the resulting strain no longer produces spiramycin II and III but only spiramycin I (see FIG. 1). This confirms that the orf6 * gene is well implicated in the synthesis of spiramycin II and III. The enzyme encoded by this gene is responsible for the formation of spiramycin II and III by attachment of an acetyl or butyryl group on carbon 3. The strains that no longer express the protein encoded by the orf6 * gene are of particular interest since they no longer produce spiramycin II and III but only spiramycin I. As noted above, the antibiotic activity of spiramycin I is significantly greater than spiramycin II and III (Liu et al., 1999 ).

 The or /? * Gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several O-methyltransferases. In particular, the protein encoded by orf5 * has a significant similarity with an O-methyltransferase (EC 2. 1.1.-) MdmC of

<Desc / Clms Page number 34>

 Streptomyces mycarofaciens (Hara & Hutchinson, 1992, GenBank accession number: B42719, BLAST score: 355). This similarity to a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another antibiotic strongly suggests that the gold / 5 * gene also encodes an O-methyltransferase. The orf5 * gene would be involved in the formation of precursors incorporated into the lactone ring. In fact, according to the sequence comparisons, the product of the orf5 gene is also relatively close to FkbG which is responsible for the methylation of hydroxymalonyl-ACP according to (Wu et al., 2000, Hoffmeister et al. 2000, GenBank Access Number: AAF86386, BLAST Score: 247) (see Figure 8). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the or / 5 * gene shows strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 7).

Table 7

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> Likely <SEP> O-methyltransferase <SEP> (EC <SEP> T18553 <SEP> 223 <SEP> O-methyltransferase
<tb> 2.1.1.-) <SEP> safC <SEP> (Myxococcus <SEP> xanthus)
<tb> 4-O-methyltransferase <SEP> (EC <SEP> 2.1.1.-) <SEP> - <SEP> JC4004 <SEP> 222 <SEP> O-methyltransferase
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> sp.)
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 Thanks to the polar effect of inserting an uncut cassette into the or / 6 * gene, it has been determined that the orf 5 * gene is essential for the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway. Indeed, the insertion of the excisable cassette in the coding part of the orf 6 * gene entails a total cessation of spiramycin production. However, once the inserted cassette has been excised (and thus when only the orf6 * gene is inactivated, see Examples 14 and 15), spiramycin I production is found. This shows that the

<Desc / Clms Page number 35>

 orf 5 * gene is essential to the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway since its inactivation leads to a total cessation of spiramycin production.

 The orf7 * c gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to a protein encoded by the mdmA gene of Streptomyces mycarofaciens, the latter encoding a protein involved in midecamycin resistance in this producing organism (Hara et al., 1990; GenBank: A60725; BLAST Score: 380). This similarity to a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another antibiotic strongly suggests that the orf7 * c gene also encodes a protein involved in spiramycin resistance. More particularly, the enzyme encoded by the orf7 * c gene has methyltransferase activity and is involved in spiramycin resistance in Streptomyces ambofaciens. This gene has been shown to confer MLS I resistance, a resistance known to be due to monomethylation in the A2058 position of 23S ribosomal RNA (Pernodet et al., 1996). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf7 * c gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 8).

Table 8

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<Tb>

maerolide-lincosamide-streptograminB JC5319 238 23S rRNA

monerolide-lincosamide-streptograminB JC5319 238 23S rRNA

<Tb>
<tb> resistance <SEP> determining <SEP> (S. <SEP> fradiae) <SEP> methyltransferase
<tb> 23S <SEP> ribosomal <SEP> RNA <SEP> methyltransferase <SEP> AAL68827 <SEP> 119 <SEP> 23S <SEP> rRNA
<tb> ErmML <SEP> (Micrococcus <SEP> luteus) <SEP> methyltransferase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

<Desc / Clms Page number 36>

 The orf8 * gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to an ABC transporter protein in Streptomyces griseus (Campelo, 2002, GenBank Accession Number: CAC22119, BLAST Score: 191). This similarity with an ABC transporter protein strongly suggests that the orj8 * gene also encodes an ABC transporter-like protein that may be involved in spiramycin resistance. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf8 * gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 9).

Table 9

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> of access <SEP> Score <SEP> Function
<tb> Significantly <SEP> GenBank <SEP> BLAST * <SEP> reported
<tb> AcrW <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> Galilaeus) <SEP> BAB72060 <SEP> 94 <SEP> Carrier
<tb> ABC
<tb> Daunorubicin <SEP> resistance <SEP> transmembrane <SEP> P32011 <SEP> 89 <SEP> Resistance <SEP> to <SEP> la
<tb> protein <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> peucetius) <SEP> daunorubicin
<tb> Likely <SEP> ABC-transporter, <SEP> NP ~ 626506 <SEP> 89 <SEP> Carrier
<tb> transmembrane <SEP> component. <SEP> ABC
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> coelicolor)
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The or / 9 * gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to an ABC transporter protein in Streptomyces griseus (Campelo, 2002, GenBank accession number: CAC22118, BLAST score: 269). This similarity to an ABC transporter protein strongly suggests that the or / 9 * gene also encodes an ABC transporter-like protein that may be involved in spiramycin resistance. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the gene

<Desc / Clms Page number 37>

 orf8 * has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 10).

Table 10

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> significant <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function
<tb> access <SEP> BLAST * <SEP> reported
<tb> GenBank
<tb> Likely <SEP> ABC-type <SEP> transport <SEP> protein, <SEP> ATP- <SEP> NP ~ 626505 <SE> 231 <SEP> Carrier
<tb> binding <SEP> component <SEP> (SE <sep> coelicolor) <SEP> ABC
<tb> Putative <SEP> ABC <SEP> Carry <SEP> ATP-binding <SEP> NP ~ 627624 <SEP> 228 <SEP> Carrier
<tb> component <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> Coelicolor) <SEP> ABC
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The orflO * gene encodes a protein with relatively high similarity to a protein of unknown function. However, genes similar to orf10 * are found in the middle of several groups of genes involved in the biosynthesis of antibiotics.

Thus a gene close to gold / 10 * is found in S. coelicolor (Redenbach et al., 1996, GenBank accession number: NP ~ 627432, BLAST score: 109). A close gene (CouY) is also found in S. rishiriensis (Wang et al., 2000, GenBank accession number: AAG29779, BLAST score 97).

Genes located upstream of genes coding for PKS
In the DNA sequence located upstream of the genes coding for PKS (downstream and upstream being defined by the orientation of the PKS genes all oriented in the same direction) (see FIG. 3), 32 ORFs were identified (see above). Thus, the 32 open reading frames of this type occupy a region of about 40 kb (see SEQ ID No. 1 having a first region of 31 kb containing 25 ORFs and SEQ ID N 106

<Desc / Clms Page number 38>

 having a region of about 10.3 kb, of which 1402 bp overlap the preceding sequence (SEQ ID No. 1) and about 9 kb correspond to the rest of the sequence (with however a region of about 450 nucleotides whose sequence has not has not been determined (region symbolized by N in said sequence)), this last part of 9 kb contains 7 additional ORFs (including a partial sequence ORF, due to the indeterminate sequence (orf28c)), cf. also Figure 3 and 37 and below). A schematic representation of the organization of the region is presented in Figure 5 and 37.

orj9c, orfl0, orj11c, orfl2, orj73c, orfl4, orfi5c, orj76, orj77, orfl8, orfl9, orf20, orfllc, orJ22c, orf23c, orf24c, orfl5c, orf26, orfl7, orf28c, orfl9, orj30c, orj3l et orf32c. The 32 identified genes have been named: gold / 7, gold / 2, gold / 3, orf4, orf5, orf6, or / 7, orf8,

orj9c, orfl0, orj11c, orfl2, orj73c, orfl4, orfi5c, orj76, orj77, orfl8, orfl9, orf20, orfllc, orJ22c, orf23c, orf24c, orfl5c, orf26, orfl7, orf28c, orfl9, orj30c, orj3l and orf32c.

 In the following table are presented the references to the DNA and amino acid sequence of the 32 genes identified upstream of the PKS genes.

Table 11

<Tb>
<tb> Gene '<SEP> Position <SEP> in <SEP><SEP> Sequence <SEP> DNA <SEP> Sequence (s) <SEP> polypeptide (s) 2
<tb> sequence <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 1
<tb> orf1 <SEP> 658 <SEP> to <SEP> 1869 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 23 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 24
<tb> orf2 <SEP> 1866 <SEP> to <SEP> 2405 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 25 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 26 <SEP > and <SEP> 27
<tb> or / 3 <SEP> 2402 <SEP> to <SEP> 3568 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 28 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 29
<tb> orf4 <SEP> 3565 <SEP> to <SEP> 4473 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 30 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 31, <SEP> 32 <SEP> and <SEP> 33 <SEP>
<tb> orf5 <SEP> 4457 <SEP> to <SEP> 5494 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 34 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 35
<tb> orf6 <SEP> 5491 <SEP> to <SEP> 6294 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 36 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 37, <SEP> 38 <SEP> and <SEP> 39
<tb> orf7 <SEP> 6296 <SEP> to <SEP> 7705 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 40 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 41 <SEP > and <SEP> 42
<tb> orf8 <SEP> 8011 <SEP> 1 <SEP> to <SEP> 9258 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 43 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP > 44
<tb> orj9c <SEP> 10081 <SEP> to <SEP> 9362 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 45 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 46
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 39>

<Tb>
<tb> orflO <SEP> 10656 <SEP> to <SEP> 12623 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 47 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 48 <SEP >
<tb> orfllc <SEP> 14482 <SEP> to <SEP> 12734 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 49 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 50, <SEP> 51 <SEP> and <SEP> 52
<tb> orfl2 <SEP> 14601 <SEP> to <SEP> 16031 <SEQ> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEQ> N <SEP> 53 <SEQ> SEQ <SEQ> ID <SEQ> N <SEP> 54.55 , <SEP> 56.57, <SEP> 58 <SEP> and <SEP> 59
<tb> orfl3c <SEQ> 17489 <SEP> to <SEP> 16092 <SEQ> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 60 <SEQ> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 61
<tb> or / 14 <SEP> 17809 <SEP> to <SEP> 18852 <SEQ> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 62 <SEQ> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 63
<tb> orfl5c <SEP> 20001 <SEP> to <SEP> 18961 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 64 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 65
<tb> or) 76 <SEP> 20314 <SEP> to <SEP> 21552 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 66 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 67 <SEP> ~~~~~~~~~~
<tb> or / 77 <SEP> 21609 <SEP> to <SEP> 22879 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 68 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 69 <SEP> ~~~~~~~
<tb> orfl8 <SEP> 22997 <SEP> to <SEP> 24175 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 70 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 71
<tb> orfl9 <SEP> 24177 <SEP> to <SEP> 25169 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 72 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 73 <SEP >
<tb> or / 20 <SEP> 25166 <SEP> to <SEP> 26173 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 74 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 75
<Tb>

orj21c 27448 à 26216 SEQ ID N 76 SEQ ID N 77 ~~~~~~~~~~~

orj21c 27448 to 26216 SEQ ID N 76 SEQ ID N 77 ~~~~~~~~~~~

<Tb>
<tb> orj22c <SEP> 28560 <SEP> to <SEP> 27445 <SEQ> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 78 <SEQ> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 79 <SEP > ~~~~~~~~~~~
<tb> orj23c <SEP> 29770 <SEP> to <SEP> 28649 <SEQ> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 80 <SEQ> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 81
<tb> orj24c <SEP> 30074 <SEP> to <SEP> 29763 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 82 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 83
<tb> orj25c <SEP> 30937 <SEP> to <SEP> 30071 <SEQ> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 84 <SEQ> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 85
<tb> Gene1 <SEP> Position <SEP> in <SEP><SEP> Sequence <SEP> DNA <SEP> Sequence (s) <SEP> polypeptide (s) 2
<tb> sequence <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> NO <SEP>: <SEP>
<tb> 106
<tb> or / 26 <SEP> 1647 <SEP> to <SEP> 2864 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 107 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 108
<tb> or / 27 <SEP> 2914 <SEP> to <SEP> 3534 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 109 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 110
<tb> orf28c <SEP> starts <SEP> at <SEP><SEP> position <SEP> 4973 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 111 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP > N <SEP> 112
<tb> or / 29 <SEP> 5662 <SEP> to <SEP> 6669 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 113 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 114
<tb> orf30c <SEP> 7729 <SEP> to <SEP> 6692 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 115 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 116 <SEP > and <SEP> 117
<tb> or / 31 <SEP> 7760 <SEP> to <SEP> 8734 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 118 <SEP> SEQ <SEP> ID <SEP> N <SEP> 119
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 40>

<Tb>
<tb> orf32c <SEP> 10209 <SEP> to <SEP> 8983 <SEP> SEQIDN <SEP> 120 <SEP> SEQIDN <SEP> 121
<Tb>

The c added in the gene name indicates that the coding sequence is in the reverse orientation (the coding strand is therefore the complementary strand of the sequence given in SEQ ID No. 1 or SEQ ID No. 106 for these genes).

 When several protein sequences are indicated for a single orf, the corresponding proteins come from several possible sites for starting the translation.

 In order to determine the function of the polypeptides identified in Table 11 above, three types of experiments were conducted: the comparison of the identity of the identified sequences with known sequences of functions, gene inactivation experiments and analyzes of the spiramycin production of these mutant strains.

 The protein sequences deduced from these open reading phases were first compared with those present in different databases through different programs: BLAST (Altschul et al., 1990) (Altschul et al., 1997), CDsearch, COGs (Cluster of Orthologous Groups), FASTA (Pearson W. R & DJ

Lipman, 1988) and (Pearson W.R., 1990), BEAUTY (Worley K.C. et al., 1995)), (see above). These comparisons made it possible to formulate hypotheses on the function of the products of these genes and to identify those likely to be involved in spiramycin biosynthesis. Table 12 shows the proteins showing a strong similarity with the 32 genes located upstream of the 5 PKS genes.

Table 12

<Tb>
<tb> Gene <SEP> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function
<tb> significant <SEP> of access <SEP> BLAST * <SEP> reported
<tb> GenBank
<Tb>

orfl Cytochrome P450 tylI (Streptomyces S49051 530 Cytochrome

orfl Cytochrome P450 tylI (Streptomyces S49051 530 Cytochrome

<Tb>
<tb> fradiae) <SEP> P450
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 41>

<Tb>
<tb> orf2 <SEP> ORF15x4 <SEP> (Listonella <SEP> anguillarum) <SEQ> AAB81630 <SEP> 113 <SEP> Not known
<tb> or / 3 <SEP> aminotransferase-like <SEP> protein <SEP> AAF59939 <SEQ> 431 <SEP> Amino
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> antibioticus) <SEP> transferase
<tb> orf4 <SEP> alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphate <SEP> AAC68682 <SEP> 404 <SEP> alpha-D-glucosethymidylyltransferase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> 1-phosphate
<tb> venezuelae) <SEP> thymidylyltransfé
<tb> shaves
<tb> orf5 <SEP> After <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> tenebrarius) <SEP> AAG18457 <SEQ> 476 <SEQ> dTDP-glucose
<tb> 4,6-dehydratase
<tb> orf6 <SEP> Thioesterase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> avermitilis) <SEP> BAB69315 <SEP> 234 <SEP> Thioesterase
<tb> orf7 <SEP> TylCVI <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> fradiae) <SEP> AAF29379 <SEQ> 461 <SEP> dNTP <SEP> hexose <SEP>
<tb> 2,3-dehydratase
<tb> orf8 <SEP> probable <SEP> aminotransferase <SEP> AAG23279 <SEQ> 465 <SEP> Aminotransferase
<tb> (Saccharopolyspora <SEP> spinosa)
<tb> orj9c <SEP> SrmX <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> ambofaciens) <SEP> S25204 <SEQ> 445 <SEP> Methyltransferase
<tb> orf10 <SEP> SrmR <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> ambofaciens) <SEP> S25203 <SEQ> 1074 <SEP> Protein <SEP> from
<tb> regulation
<tb> orf11c <SEP> SrmB <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> ambofaciens) <SEP> S25202 <SEP> 955 <SEP> Resistance <SEP> to <SEP> la
<tb> spiramycin
<tb> or / 72 <SEP> UrdQ <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> fradiae) <SEP> AAF72550 <SEP> 634 <SEP> NDP-hexose <SEP> 3,4 dehydratase
<tb> orfl3c <SEP> SC4H2.17 <SEP> (Streptomyces SEP> coelicolor) <SEP> T35116 <SEP> 619 <SEP> Unknown
<tb> orfl4 <SEP> putative <SEP> reductase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> CAB90862 <SEP> 147 <SEP> Reductase
<tb> coelicolor)
<tb> orf15c <SEP> Likely <SEP> 3-ketoreductase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> T51102 <SEP> 285 <SEP> 3-ketoreductase
<tb> antibioticus)
<tb> or / 26 <SEP> Hypothetical <SEP> NDP <SEP> hexose <SEP> 3,4 <SEP> CAA57471 <SEP> 209 <SEP> NDP <SEP> hexose <SEP> 3,4 <SEP>
<tb> isomerase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> fradiae) <SEP> isomerase
<tb> orf17 <SEP> Glycosyl <SEP> transferase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> AAC68677 <SEP> 400 <SEP> Glycosyl
<tb> venezuelae) <SEP> transferase
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 42>

<Tb>
<tb> orf18 <SEP> Glycosyl <SEP> transferase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> AAG29785 <SEP> 185 <SEP> Glycosyl
<tb> rishiriensis) <SEP> transferase
<tb> orf19 <SEP> NDP-hexose <SEP> 4-ketoreductase <SEP> TylCIV <SEP> AAD41822 <SEP> 266 <SEP> NDP-hexose <SEP> 4-
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> fradiae) <SEP> Cetoreductase
<tb> or / 20 <SEP> EryBII <SEP> (Saccharopolyspora <SEP> erythraea) <SEP> AAB84068 <SEQ> 491 <SEP> aldoketo
<tb> reductase
<tb> or / 2 <SEP> the <SEP> TylCIII <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> fradiae) <SEP> AAD41823 <SEP> 669 <SEP> NDP-hexose <SEP> 3-C-methyltransferase
<tb> orj22c <SEP> FkbH <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> hygroscopicus) <SEP> AAF86387 <SEP> 463 <SEP> Involved <SEP> in <SEP> la
<tb> biosynthesis <SEP> of
<tb> methoxymalonyl
<tb> orf23c <SEP> FkbI <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> hygroscopicus) <SEP> AAF86388 <SEP> 387 <SEP> Acyl <SEP> CoA
<tb> dehydrogenase
<tb> orj24c <SEP> FkbJ <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> hygroscopicus) <SEP> AAF86389 <SEP> 87 <SEP> Involved <SEP> in <SEP>
<tb> biosynthesis <SEP> of
<tb> methoxymalonyl
<tb> orf25c <SEP> FkbK <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> hygroscopicus) <SEP> AAF86390 <SEQ> 268 <SEP> Acyl <SEP> CoA
<tb> dehydrogenase
<tb> orj26 <SEP> TylCV <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> fradiae) <SEP> AAD41824 <SEP> 471 <SEP> Mycarosyl
<tb> transferase
<tb> or / 27 <SEP> TylCVII <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> fradiae) <SEP> AAD41825 <SEP> 243 <SEP> NDP-hexose <SEP> 3.5-
<tb> (or <SEP> 5-) <SEP> epimerase
<tb> orf28c <SEP> AcyB2 <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> thermotolerans) <SEP> JC2032 <SEP> 329 <SEP> Protein
<tb> regulator
<tb> or / 29 <SEP> Beta-Mananase <SEP> (Sorangium <SEP> AAK19890 <SEQ> 139 <SEP> Glycosyl
<tb> cellulosum) <SEP> hydrolase
<tb> orf30c <SEP> Epimerase <SEP> of <SEP> sugar-nucleoside- <SEP> NP ~ 600590 <SEP> 89 <SEP> Epimerase <SEP> of
<tb> diphosphate <SEP> (Corynebacterium <SEP> sugar-nucleosideglutamicum) <SEP> diphosphate
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 43>

<Tb>
<tb> or / 37 <SEP> Oxidoreductase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> NP ~ 631148 <SEP> 261 <SEQ> Oxidoreductase
<tb> coelicolor)
<tb> orf32c <SEP> Regulatory <SEP> Protein <SEP> of <SEP><SEP> Family <SEP> GntR <SEP> NP ~ 625576 <SEQ> 229 <SEP> Protein
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> coelicolor) <SEP> regulator
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 Gene inactivation experiments were performed to confirm these results. The methods used consist in performing a gene replacement. The target gene to be interrupted is replaced by a copy of this gene interrupted by a cassette conferring resistance to an antibiotic (for example apramycin or hygromycin). The cassettes used are bordered on both sides by translation termination codons in all the reading phases and by active transcription terminators in Streptomyces. The insertion of the cassette into the target gene may or may not be accompanied by a deletion in this target gene. The size of the regions flanking the cassette can range from a few hundred to several thousand base pairs. A second type of cassette can be used for the inactivation of genes: cassettes called excisable cassettes (see above). The strains thus constructed were tested for their production in spiramycins.

 The orf1 gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several cytochrome P450s. Notably, the orf-encoded protein has a significant similarity to the protein encoded by the tylI gene involved in tylosin biosynthesis in Streptomyces fradiae (Merson-Davies, LA et al., 1994; GenBank Accession Number: S49051; BLAST Score). : 530). This similarity to a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another nearby antibiotic strongly suggests that the orf1 gene also encodes a cytochrome P450. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf1 gene shows strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 13).

<Desc / Clms Page number 44>

Table 13

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> Putative <SEP> Cytochrome <SEP> P450 <SEQ> YJIB <SEP> 034374 <SEQ> 248 <SEP> Cytochrome <SEP> P450
<tb> (Bacillus <SEP> subtilis)
<tb> Cytochrome <SEP> P450 <SEQ> 113AI <SEQ> P48635 <SEQ> 237 <SEP> Cytochrome <SEP> P450
<tb> (Saccharopolyspora <SEP> erythraea)
<tb> Cytochrome <SEP> P-450 <SEP> hydroxylase <SEP> AAC46023 <SEP> 208 <SEP> Cytochrome <SEP> P-450
<tb> homolog <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> caelestis) <SEP> hydroxylase
<tb> Cytochrome <SEP> P450 <SEP> Monoxygenase <SEP> AAC64105 <SEP> 206 <SEP> Cytochrome <SEP> P450
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> venezuelae) <SEP> monooxygenase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The or / 2 gene encodes a protein with similarity to several proteins of unknown function (see Table 14). In particular, the protein encoded by or / 2 has a relatively high similarity with the protein encoded by the ORF15x4 gene of Listonella anguillarum (GenBank accession number: AAB81630; BLAST score: 113) of unknown function.

Table 14

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> unknown (Campylobacterjejuni) <SEP> AAK12959 <SEP> 106 <SEP> Unknown
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 45>

<Tb>
<tb> WcgF <SEP> (Bacteroides <SEP> fragilis) <SEQ> AA <SEP> D56738 <SEQ> 105 <SEP> Unknown
<tb> unknown <SEP> (Leptospira <SEP> borgpetersenii) <SEP> AAD12964 <SEP> 96 <SEP> Unknown
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 Since the or / 2 gene does not have a homologue of known function, its inactivation has been performed. It could be shown that the resulting strain no longer produces spiramycins.

This confirms that the or / 2 gene is well involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins. The protein encoded by this gene regulates or is responsible for a bioconversion step essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycins.

 The or / 3 gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several aminotransferases. Notably, the gold / 3 encoded protein has a significant similarity to an aminotransferase of Streptomyces antibioticus involved in the biosynthesis of oleandomycin (Draeger, G., et al., 1999; GenBank Accession Number: AAF59939; BLAST Score: 431). This similarity with a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another nearby antibiotic strongly suggests that the orf3 gene encodes a 3-aminotransferase responsible for the transamination reaction necessary for the biosynthesis of one of the amino sugars of spiramycins (cf. Figure 5). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the or / 3 gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 15).

Table 15

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> Aminotransferase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> T51111 <SEP> 429 <SEP> Aminotransferase
<tb> antibioticus)
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 46>

<Tb>
<tb> Transaminase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> AAC68680 <SEQ> 419 <SEP> Transaminase
<tb> venezuelae)
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 Inactivation of the or / 3 gene was performed. It has thus been shown that the resulting strain no longer produces spiramycins. This confirms that the or / 3 gene is well involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins. The enzyme encoded by this gene is therefore responsible for a bioconversion step essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycins. The production of spiramycins may be supplemented by the expression of the TylB protein of S. fradiae (cf Example 23). This demonstrates that the or / 3 gene encodes a 3-aminotransferase responsible for the transamination reaction necessary for the biosynthesis of mycaminosis (see Figure 5). Since mycaminosis is the first sugar to be fixed on platenolide, the interrupted strain in orf3 (OS49,67) is expected to accumulate platenolide.

 Intermediates of biosynthesis of the interrupted strain in the or / 3 gene were studied (see Example 20). These experiments made it possible to demonstrate that this strain produces two forms of platenolide: platenolide A and platenolide B, the structure deduced from these two molecules is presented in FIG.

plusieurs NDP-glucose synthétases. Notamment, la protéine codée par orf4 possède une similitude importante avec une alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphate thymidylyltransférase de Streptomyces venezuelae (Xue Y et al.,1998 ; Numéro d'accès GenBank : AAC68682 ; Score BLAST 404). Cette similitude avec une protéine impliquée dans la voie de biosynthèse d'un autre antibiotique proche suggère fortement que le gène orf4 code une NDP-glucose syntéthase responsable de la synthèse du NDP-glucose nécessaire à la biosynthèse des trois sucres atypiques incorporés dans la molécule de spiramycine (cf. figure 4,5 et 6). Cette hypothèse est étayée par le fait que la protéine codée par le gène The orf4 gene encodes a protein with a relatively strong similarity with

several NDP-glucose synthetases. Notably, the orf4-encoded protein has a significant similarity to Streptomyces venezuelae alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferase (Xue Y et al., 1998; GenBank Accession Number: AAC68682; BLAST 404 Score). This similarity with a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another closely related antibiotic strongly suggests that the orf4 gene encodes an NDP-glucose synthase responsible for the synthesis of NDP-glucose required for the biosynthesis of the three atypical sugars incorporated into the molecule. spiramycin (see Figures 4,5 and 6). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the gene

<Desc / Clms Page number 47>

 orf4 has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 16).

Table 16

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> Glucose-1-Phosphate <SEP> BAA84594 <SEP> 402 <SEP> Glucose-1-Phosphate
<tb> Thymidyltransferase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> thymidyltransferase
<tb> avermitilis)
<tb> AclY <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> galilaeus) <SEP> BAB72036 <SEQ> 400 <SEQ> dTDP-1-glucose
<tb> synthetase
<tb> Putative <SEP> glucose-1-phosphate <SEP> AAK83289 <SEP> 399 <SEP> glucose-1-phosphate
<tb> Thymidyltransferase <SEP> thymidyltransferase
<tb> (Saccharopolyspora <SEP> spinosa)
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The orf5 gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several glucose dehydratases. Notably, the orf5 encoded protein has a significant similarity to Streptomyces tenebrarius dTDP-glucose 4,6-dehydratase (Li, T.B., et al., 2001, GenBank Accession Number: AAG18457, BLAST Score: 476). This similarity with a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another close antibiotic strongly suggests that the orf5 gene encodes an NDP glucose dehydratase necessary for the biosynthesis of the three atypical sugars incorporated in the spiramycin molecule (see Figure 4,5 and 6). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf5 gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 17).

<Desc / Clms Page number 48>

Table 17

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> DTDP-glucose <SEP> 4,6-dehydratase <SEP> AAK83290 <SEP> 464 <SEP> DTDP-glucose <SEP> 4,6-
<tb> (Saccharopolyspora <SEP> spinosa) <SEP> dehydratase
<tb> thymidine <SEP> diphosphoglucose <SEP> 4,6- <SEP> AAA68211 <SEP> 445 <SEP> thymidine
<tb> dehydratase <SEP> (Saccharopolyspora <SEP> diphosphoglucose
<tb> erythraea) <SEP> 4,6-dehydratase
<tb> dTDP glucose <SEP> 4,6-dehydratase <SEP> (EC <SEP> S49054 <SEP> 443 <SEP> dTDPglucose <SEP> 4,6-
<tb> 4.2.1.46) <SEP> - <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> fradiae) <SEP> dehydratase
<tb> TDP-glucose-4,6-dehydratase <SEP> AAC68681 <SEP> 421 <SEP> TDP-glucose-4,6-
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> venezuelae) <SEP> dehydratase
<tb> SgcA <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> globisporus) <SEP> AAF13998 <SEP> 418 <SEP> dNDP-glucose-4,6 dehydratase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

The orf6 gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several thioesterases. In particular, the protein encoded by orf6 has a significant similarity with Streptomyces avermitilis thioesterase (Omura, S. et al., 2001;
GenBank Access Number: BAB69315; BLAST score: 234). This similarity to a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another nearby antibiotic strongly suggests that the orf6 gene also encodes a thioesterase. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf6 gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 18).

<Desc / Clms Page number 49>

Table 18

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> RifR <SEP> (Amycolatopsis <SEP> mediterranei) <SEP> AAG52991 <SEP> 216 <SEP> Thioesterase
<tb> Thioesterase <SEP> - <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> fradiae) <SEP> S49055 <SEP> 215 <SEP> Thioesterase
<tb> Thioesterase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> BAB69188 <SEP> 213 <SEP> Thioesterase
<tb> avermitilis)
<tb> Thioesterase <SEP> II <SEP> (EC <SEP> 3.1.2.-) <SEP> - <SEP> T17413 <SEP> 203 <SEP> Thioesterase
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> venezuelae)
<tb> Piml <SEP> protein <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> natalensis) <SEP> CAC20922 <SEP> 201 <SEP> Thioesterase
<tb> Thioesterase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> griseus) <SEP> CAC22116 <SEP> 200 <SEP> Thioesterase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The orf7 gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several hexose dehydratases. Notably, the orf6 encoded protein has a significant similarity to a dNTP hexose 2,3-dehydratase (encoded by the TylCVI gene) of Streptomyces fradiae involved in the biosynthesis of tylosin (MersonDavies, LA et al., 1994; GenBank access: AAF29379; BLAST score: 461).

This similarity with a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another close antibiotic strongly suggests that the orf7 gene also encodes a hexose 2-3 dehydratase necessary for the biosynthesis of two atypical sugars incorporated in the spiramycin molecule (see Figure 4). and 6). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf7 gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 19).

<Desc / Clms Page number 50>

Table 19

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> Rifl8 <SEP> (Amycolatopsis <SEP> mediterranei) <SEP> AAG52988 <SEP> 459 <SEP> Hexose <SEP> dehydratase
<tb> SimB3 <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> antibioticus) <SEP> AAK06810 <SEQ> 444 <SEP> dNDP-4-keto-6-deoxyglucose-2,3-dehydratase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The orf8 gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several aminotransferases. In particular, the protein encoded by or / 8 has a significant similarity with an aminotransferase probably involved in the biosynthesis of forosamine in Saccharopolyspora spinosa (Waldron, C. et al., 2001; GenBank Accession Number: AAG23279; BLAST score: This similarity with a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another close antibiotic strongly suggests that the orf8 gene encodes a 4-amino transferase responsible for the transamination reaction necessary for the biosynthesis of forosamine (see Figure 6). is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the or / 8 gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 20).

<Desc / Clms Page number 51>

Table 20

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> Putative <SEP> amino-sugar <SEP> biosynthesis <SEP> CAA07666 <SEP> 213 <SEP> Protein <SEP> involved <SEP> in <SEP> la
<tb> protein <SEP> (Bordetella <SEP> bronchiseptica) <SEP> biosynthesis <SEP> of amino-sugar
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 Inactivation of the or / 8 gene was performed. It could thus be shown that the resulting strain no longer produces spiramycins. This confirms that the or / 8 gene is well involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins. The enzyme encoded by this gene is therefore responsible for a bioconversion step essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycins.

 The orf9c gene has already been identified in Streptomyces ambofaciens and has been designated srmX by Geistlich et al. (Geistlich, M., et al., 1992). The similarity of the protein encoded by this gene to several methyltransferases involved in the biosynthetic pathway of other closely related antibiotics strongly suggests that the or9c gene encodes a methyltransferase responsible for the methylation reaction required for the biosynthesis of mycaminosis or forosamine (cf. Figure 5 and 6). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf9c gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 21).

Table 21

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> N, N-dimethyltransferase <SEP> AAC68678 <SEP> 240 <SEP> N, N-
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> venezuelae) <SEP> dimethyltransferase
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 52>

<Tb>
<tb> Methyltransferase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> CAA05643 <SEP> 232 <SEP> Methyltransferase
<tb> antibioticus)
<tb> Putative <SEP> Amino <SEP> Methylase <SEP> AAF01819 <SEP> 219 <SEP> Aminomethylase
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> nogalater)
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The orflO gene has already been identified in Streptomyces ambofaciens and has been designated srmR by Geistlich et al. (Geistlich, M., et al., 1992). The protein encoded by this gene is involved in the regulation of the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway in Streptomyces ambofaciens. Inactivation of the orf10 gene was performed. It could thus be shown that the resulting strain no longer produces spiramycins. This confirms that the gold / 10 gene is well involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins. The protein encoded by this gene is therefore essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycins.

 On the other hand ; the starting point of the translation of orf 10 has been determined and it has been shown that the overexpression of this gene leads to an improvement in spiramycin production. The translation start site corresponds to an ATG located upstream of the ATG proposed by Geistlich et al. (Geistlich, M., et al., 1992). It has furthermore been demonstrated that this 5 'end is essential to the OrflO function since a truncated 5' messenger is inactive (see Example 17). To obtain the desired effect on spiramycin production, it is therefore essential that overexpression of orflO be performed with care not to express a truncated 5 'gold / 70 messenger.

 The orf11c gene has already been identified in Streptomyces ambofaciens and has been designated srmB by Geistlich et al. (Geistlich, M. et al., 1992) and Schoner et al. (Schoner B et al., 1992). The protein encoded by this gene is involved in spiramycin resistance in Streptomyces ambofaciens and is an ABC transporter.

<Desc / Clms Page number 53>

 The or / 72 gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several hexose dehydratases. In particular, the protein encoded by orf21 has a significant similarity with a NDP-hexose 3,4-dehydratase encoded by the UrdQ gene of Streptomyces fradiae and involved in the biosynthesis of tylosin (Hoffmeister, D. et al., 2000; GenBank access: AAF72550; BLAST score: 634). This similarity to a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another nearby antibiotic strongly suggests that the orfl2 gene encodes a 3,4 dehydratase responsible for the dehydration reaction necessary for the biosynthesis of forosamine (see Figure 6). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orfl2 gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 22).

Table 22

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> AknP <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> galilaeus) <SEP> AAF73452 <SEP> 625 <SEP> 3-dehydratase
<tb> NDP-hexose <SEP> 3,4-dehydratase <SEP> homolog <SEP> AAD13547 <SEP> 624 <SEP> NDP-hexose <SEP> 3,4
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> cyanogenus) <SEP> dehydratase
<tb> RdmI <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> purpurascens) <SEP> AAL24451 <SEP> 608 <SEP> hexose-C-3deshydratase
<tb> Likely <SEP> CDP-4-keto-6-deoxyglucose- <SEP> T46528 <SEP> 602 <SEP> CDP-4-keto-6-
<tb> 3-dehydratase <SEP> (EI) <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> Deoxyglucose-3violaceoruber) <SEP> Dehydratase
<tb> Likely <SEP> NDP-hexose-3,4-dehydratase <SEP> AAG23278 <SEP> 582 <SEP> NDP-3,4-hexose
<tb> (Saccharopolyspora <SEP> spinosa) <SEP> dehydratase
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 54>

<Tb>
<tb> dNTP-hexose <SEP> dehydratase <SEP> AAC01730 <SEP> 576 <SEP> dNTP-hexose
<tb> (Amycolatopsis <SEP> mediterranei) <SEP> dehydratase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 Inactivation of the or / 72 gene was performed. It could be shown that the resulting strain no longer produces spiramycins. This confirms that the or / 72 gene is well involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycin. The enzyme encoded by this gene is therefore responsible for a bioconversion step essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycin.

 The orf13c gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to a protein of unknown function in Streptomyces coelicolor. This protein has been named SC4H2. 17 (GeneBank access number: T35116; BLAST score: 619). The protein encoded by the orf13c gene is also highly similar to other proteins of other organisms (see Table 23).

Table 23

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> hflX <SEP> protein <SEP> (Mycobacterium <SEP> leprae) <SEP> S72938 <SEQ> 473 <SEP> Unknown
<tb> Possible <SEP> ATP / GTP-binding <SEP> protein <SEP> NP ~ 301739 <SEQ> 470 <SEP> Protein <SEP> fixing
<tb> (Mycobacterium <SEP> leprae) <SEP> ATP / GTP
<tb> GTP-binding <SEP> protein <SEP> (Mycobacterium <SEP> AAK47114 <SEQ> 468 <SEP> Protein <SEP> fixing <SEP>
<tb> tuberculosis <SEP> CDC1551) <SEP> GTP
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 55>

<Tb>
<tb> ATP / GTP-bindingprotein <SEP> T44592 <SEP> 388 <SEP> Protein <SEP> Fixing
<Tb>

(Streptomyces fradiae) l'ATP/GTP * une plus grande similitude de séquence est associée à un score BLAST plus élevé (Altschul et al., 1990).

(Streptomyces fradiae) ATP / GTP * greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

* No specific function has been assigned to proteins close to that encoded by orf13c. Inactivation of the orfl3c gene was performed in order to study the function of this gene in the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway in Streptomyces ambofaciens. It has been shown that the resulting strain produces spiramycins. This indicates that the orfl3c gene is not essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycins and is not essential for the survival of the bacterium. The enzyme encoded by this gene is therefore not responsible for a bioconversion step essential for spiramycin biosynthesis.

 The or / 74 gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to a putative reductase (Redenbach, M, et al., 1996, Bentley et al., 2002, GenBank accession number: CAB90862, BLAST score: 147).

 Inactivation of the orflu4 gene was performed. It could thus be shown that the resulting strain no longer produces spiramycins. This confirms that the orfl4 gene is well implicated in the biosynthesis of spiramycins. The enzyme encoded by this gene is therefore responsible for a bioconversion step essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycins. Intermediates of biosynthesis of the interrupted strain in the gold / 24 gene were studied (see Example 20). These experiments made it possible to demonstrate that this strain produces platenolide A but does not produce platenolide B (see FIG.

 The orf15c gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several ketoreductases. Notably, the orf15c-encoded protein has a significant similarity to a 3-ketoreductase in Streptomyces antibioticus (GenBak Accession Number: T51102, BLAST Score: This similarity strongly suggests that

<Desc / Clms Page number 56>

 the orf15c gene encodes a 3-keto reductase responsible for the reduction reaction necessary for the biosynthesis of forosamine (see FIG. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf15c gene shows strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 24).

Table 24

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> oxidoreductase <SEP> homolog <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> AAD13550 <SEP> 272 <SEP> Oxidoreductase
<tb> cyanogenus)
<tb> D-oliose <SEP> 4-ketoreductase <SEP> CAB96550 <SEP> 265 <SEP> D-oliose <SEP> 4.
<Tb>

(Streptomyces <SEP> argillaceus) <SEP> Cetoreductase
<tb> AknQ <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> galilaeus) <SEP> AAF73453 <SEP> 263 <SEP> putative <SEP> 3.
<tb> cetoreductase
<tb> Likely <SEP> NDP-hexose-3-ketoreductase <SEP> AAG23275 <SEP> 253 <SEP> NDP-hexose-3
<tb> (Saccharopolyspora <SEP> spinosa) <SEP> Cetoreductase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The orflu6 gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several isomerases. In particular, the protein encoded by orflu6 has a significant similarity with a NDP hexose 3,4 isomerase in Streptomyces fradiae (Gandecha et al., 1997; GenBak Accession Number: CAA57471, BLAST Score: This similarity strongly suggests that the orfl6 gene code a NDP hexose 3,4 isomerase responsible for the isomerization reaction necessary for the mycarose biosynthesis (see Figure 5) This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf16 gene has a strong similarity with others proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 25).

<Desc / Clms Page number 57>

Table 25

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> Putative <SEP> tautomerase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> AAC68676 <SEQ> 145 <SEP> Tautomerase
<tb> venezuelae)
<tb> TDP-4-keto-6-deoxyhexose <SEP> 3,4- <SEP> AAG13907 <SEP> 112 <SEP> TDP-4-keto-6 isomerase <SEP> (Micromonospora <SEP> deoxyhexose <SEP> 3 , 4megalomicea <SEP> subsp. <SEP> nigra) <SEP> isomerase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The orf17 gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several glycosyl transferases. Notably, the gold / 17 encoded protein has a significant similarity to Streptomyces venezuelae glycosyl transferase (Xue, Y. et al., 1998; GenBank Accession Number: AAC68677; BLAST score: 400). The similarity of the protein encoded by the orfl7 gene with several glycosyl transferases involved in the biosynthetic pathway of other closely related antibiotics strongly suggests that this gene also encodes a glycosyl transferase. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the or / 77 gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 26).

Table 26

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> Glycosyltransferase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> CAA57472 <SEP> 399 <SEP> Glycosyltransferase
<tb> fradiae)
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 58>

<Tb>
<tb> Glycosyltransferase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> CAA05642 <SEP> 378 <SEP> Glycosyltransferase
<tb> antibioticus)
<tb> Glycosyltransferase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> CAA05641 <SEP> 360 <SEP> Glycosyltransferase
<tb> antibioticus)
<tb> Glycosyltransferase <SEP> CAA74710 <SEP> 344 <SEP> Glycosyltransferase
<tb> (Saccharopolyspora <SEP> erythraea)
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The orf18 gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several glycosyl transferases. Notably, the gold / 75 encoded protein has a significant similarity to Streptomyces rishiriensis glycosyltransferase (Wang et al., 2000, GenBank Accession Number: AAG29785, BLAST score: 185). The similarity of the protein encoded by the orfl8 gene with several glycosyl transferases involved in the biosynthetic pathway of other nearby antibiotics strongly suggests that this gene also encodes a glycosyl transferase. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orfl8 gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 27).

Table 27

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> NovM <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> Spheroids) <SEP> AAF67506 <SEQ> 184 <SEP> Glycosyltransferase
<tb> probable <SEP> glycosyl <SEP> transferase <SEP> T46519 <SEQ> 169 <SEP> Glycosyltransferase
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> violaceoruber)
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 59>

<Tb>
<tb> Glycosyl <SEP> transferasehomolog <SEP> AAD13553 <SEP> 167 <SEP> Glycosyltransferase
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> cyanogenus)
<tb> Glycosyl <SEP> transferase <SEP> homolog <SEP> AAD13555 <SEP> 163 <SEP> Glycosyltransferase
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> cyanogenus)
<tb> dNTP-hexose <SEP> glycosyl <SEP> transferase <SEP> AAC01731 <SEP> 160 <SEP> Glycosyltransferase
<tb> (Amycolatopsis <SEP> mediterranei)
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The or / 79 gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several ketoreductases. In particular, the protein encoded by orf19 has a significant similarity with a Streptomyces fradiae NDP-hexose 4-ketoreductase (TylCIV) (Bate et al., 2000 GenBank accession number: AAD41822, BLAST score: 266). The similarity of the protein encoded by the orfl9 gene with this ketoreductase involved in the biosynthetic pathway of a nearby antibiotic strongly suggests that this gene also encodes a 4-ketoreductase responsible for the reduction reaction necessary for mycarose biosynthesis (cf. Figure 4). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orfl9 gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 28).

Table 28

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> NDP-4-keto-6-deoxyhexose <SEP> 4- <SEP> AAL14256 <SEP> 251 <SEP> NDP-4-keto-6-ketoreductase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> venezuelae) <SEP> deoxyhexose <MS> 4cororeductase
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 60>

<Tb>
<tb> EryBIV <SEP> (Saccharopolyspora <SEP> erythraea) <SEP> AAB84071 <SEP> 249 <SEP> oxidoreductase
<tb> TDP-4-keto-6-deoxyhexose <SEP> 4- <SEP> AAG13916 <SEP> 218 <SEP> TDP-4-keto-6-ketoreductase <SEP> (Micromonospora <SEP> deoxyhexose <SEP> 4megalomicea <SEP > subsp. <SEP> Nigra) <SEP> Cetoreductase
<tb> dTDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-L-hexose <SEP> 4- <SEP> BAA84595 <SEP> 212 <SEP> dTDP-4-keto-6reductase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> avermitilis) <MS> deoxy-L-hexose <SEP> 4reductase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The gold / 20 gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several hexose reductases. Notably, the gold / 20 encoded protein has a significant similarity to the EryBII gene of Saccharopolyspora erythraea which encodes a dTDP-4-keto-L-6-deoxy-hexose 2,3-reductase (Summers, RG, et al. 1997), GenBank Access Number: AAB84068; BLAST score: 491). The similarity of the protein encoded by the or / 20 gene with several hexose reductases involved in the biosynthetic pathway of other closely related antibiotics strongly suggests that this gene encodes a 2-3 reductase responsible for the reduction reaction required for mycarose biosynthesis. (see Figure 4). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the gold / 20 gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 29).

Table 29

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> TylCII <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> fradiae) <SEP> AAD41821 <SEP> 464 <SEP> NDP-hexose <SEP> 2,3-
<tb> enoyl <SEP> reductase
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 61>

<Tb>
<tb> TDP-4-keto-6-deoxyhexose <SEP> 2,3- <SEP> AAG13914 <SEP> 446 <SEP> TDP-4-keto-6reductase <SEP> (Micromonospora <SEP> deoxyhexose <SEP> 2 , 3megalomicea <SEP> subsp. <SEP> Nigra) <SEP> reductase
<tb> dTDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-L-hexose <SEP> 2,3- <SEP> BAA84599 <SEP> 377 <SEP> dTDP-4-keto-6reductase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> avermitilis ) <SEP> deoxy-L-hexose
<tb> 2,3-reductase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The orf21c gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to several hexose methyltransferases. Notably, the orf21c-encoded protein has a significant similarity to the Streptomyces fradiae TylCIII gene that encodes an NDP-hexose 3-C-methyltransferase (Bate, N et al., 2000; GenBank Accession Number: AAD41823; BLAST Score: 669). The similarity of the protein encoded by the orf21c gene with several hexose methyltransferases involved in the biosynthetic pathway of other nearby antibiotics strongly suggests that this gene encodes a hexose methyltransferase responsible for the methylation reaction required for the mycarose biosynthesis (see figure 4). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf21c gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 30).

Table 30

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> eryH <SEP> (Saccharopolyspora <SEP> erythraea) <SEP> 228448 <SE> 592 <SEP> Gene <SEP> of
<tb> biosynthesis <SEP> of
<tb><SEP> erythromycin <SEP>
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 62>

<Tb>
<tb> S-adenosyl-dependent <SEP> methyl <SEP> AAK71270 <SEP> 358 <SEP> Methyltransferase
<tb> transferase <SEP> (Coxiella <SEP> burnetii)
<tb> NovU <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> spheroids) <SEP> AAF67514 <SEP> 184 <SEP> C-methyltransferase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The orf22c gene encodes a protein with relatively high similarity to the protein encoded by the fkbH gene of Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. ascomyceticus that encodes an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of methoxymalonyl (Wu, K et al., 2000; GenBank Accession Number: AAF86387; BLAST Score: 463). The similarity of the protein encoded by the orj22c gene with this protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another nearby macrolide strongly suggests that this gene also encodes an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of methoxymalonyl in Streptomyces ambofaciens (see Figure 8).

 The orj23c gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to the protein encoded by the fkbI gene of Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. ascomyceticus which encodes an acyl CoA dehydrogenase involved in the biosynthesis of methoxymalonyl (Wu, K et al., 2000; GenBank Accession Number: AAF86388; BLAST Score 387). The similarity of the protein encoded by the orj23c gene with several acyl CoA dehydrogenases involved in the biosynthetic pathway of other nearby antibiotics strongly suggests that this gene encodes an acyl CoA dehydrogenase involved in the biosynthesis of methoxymalonyl (see Figure 8). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf23c gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 31).

<Desc / Clms Page number 63>

Table 31

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> Acyl-CoA <SEP> dehydrogenase <SEP> AAK19892 <SEP> 171 <SEP> Acyl-CoA
<tb> (Polyangium <SEP> cellulosum) <SEP> dehydrogenase
<tb> Likely <SEP> acyl-CoA <SEP> dehydrogenase <SEP> - <SEP> T36802 <SEP> 160 <SEP> acyl-CoA
<tb> (Streptomyces <SEP> coelicolor) <SEP> dehydrogenase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The orf24c gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to the protein encoded by the fkbJ gene of Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. ascomyceticus that would encode the acyl-binding protein (Acyl Carrier Protein (ACP)) involved in the biosynthesis of methoxymalonyl (Wu, K., et al., 2000; GenBank Accession Number: AAF86389; BLAST Score: 87). The similarity of the protein encoded by the orf24c gene with this protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another close macrolide strongly suggests that this gene encodes a protein involved in the biosynthesis of methoxymalonyl in Streptomyces ambofaciens (see Figure 8).

 The orj25c gene encodes a protein with relatively strong similarity to the protein encoded by the fkbK gene of Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. ascomyceticus which encodes an acyl CoA dehydrogenase involved in the biosynthesis of methoxymalonyl (Wu, K., et al., 2000; GenBank Accession Number: AAF86390; BLAST score: 268). The similarity of the protein encoded by the orj25c gene with several acyl CoA dehydrogenases involved in the biosynthetic pathway of other nearby antibiotics strongly suggests that this gene encodes an acyl CoA dehydrogenase involved in the biosynthesis of methoxymalonyl (see Figure 8). This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf25c gene shows strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 32).

<Desc / Clms Page number 64>

Table 32

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> Likely <SEP> 3-Hydroxybutyryl-CoA <SEP> P45856 <SEP> 177 <SEP> 3-HydroxybutyrylDehydrogenase <SEP> (Bacillus <SEP> subtilis) <SEP> CoA <SEP> dehydrogenase
<tb> 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA <SEP> dehydrogenase <SEP> AAL32270 <SEQ> 174 <SEP> 3-hydroxybutyrylprotein <SEP> (Bacillus <SEP> thuringiensis <SEP> serovar <SEP> CoA <SEP> dehydrogenase
<tb> kurstaki)
<tb> 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA <SEP> dehydrogenase <SEP> NP ~ 294792 <SEP> 167 <SEP> 3-hydroxybutyryl-
<tb> (Deinococcus <SEP> radiodurans) <SEP> CoA <SEP> dehydrogenase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The or / 26 gene encodes a protein having a 65% identity (determined by the BLAST program) with the protein encoded by the tylCV gene which encodes a mycarosyl transferase involved in tylosin biosynthesis in Streptomyces fradiae (Bate, N. et al. ., 2000; GenBank Access Number: AAD41824, BLAST Score: 471). More particularly, TylCV is a glycosyl transferase binding the mycarose molecule during the synthesis of tylosin. This similarity with a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another relatively close antibiotic, and more particularly in the transfer of mycarose, suggests that the gold / 26 gene encodes a glycosyl transferase. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the gold / 26 gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 33).

<Desc / Clms Page number 65>

Table 33

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> Glycosyl <SEP> transferase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> BAA84592 <SEP> 218 <SEP> Glycosyl <SEP> transferase
<tb> avermitilis)
<tb> CalG4 <SEP> (Micromonospora <SEP> echinospora) <SEP> AAM70365 <SEP> 217 <SEP> Glycosyl <SEP> transferase
<tb> CalG2 <SEP> (Micromonospora <SEP> echinospora) <SEP> AAM70348 <SEP> 197 <SEP> Glycosyl <SEP> transferase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The orf27 gene encodes a protein having an identity of 70% (determined by means of the BLAST program) with the protein encoded by the tylCVII gene which encodes a NDPhexose 3,5- (or 5-) epimerase involved in the biosynthesis of tylosin in Streptomyces fradiae (Bate, N .; et al., 2000; GenBank Access Number: AAD41825, BLAST Score: 243). More particularly, TylCVII is a hexose 3,5- (or 5-) epimerase involved in the biosynthesis of mycarosis. This similarity with a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of another relatively close antibiotic and more particularly in the biosynthesis of mycarose suggests that the or / 27 gene encodes an epimerase. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the gold / 27 gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 34). An analysis of the close sequences obtained by the BLAST program strongly suggests that the orf27 gene encodes an epimerase responsible for the epimerization reaction necessary for mycarose biosynthesis (see FIG. 4).

<Desc / Clms Page number 66>

Table 34

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> LanZl <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> cyanogenus) <SEP> AAD13558 <SEP> 172 <SEP> NDP-hexose <SEP> 3,5epimerase
<tb> Epi <SEP> (Saccharopolyspora <SEP> Spinosa) <SEP> AAK83288 <SEP> 169 <SEP> TDP-4-keto-6-deoxyglucose <SEP> 3,5
<tb> epimerase
<tb> dNTP-hexose <SEP> 3.5 <SEP> epimerase <SEP> AAC01732 <SEP> 166 <SEP> dNTP-hexose <SEP> 3.5
<tb> (Amycolatopsis <SEP> mediterranei) <SEP> epimerase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The sequence of orf28c is partial, since the sequence of a region of approximately 450 base pairs has not been determined (region symbolized by N in the sequence SEQ ID N 106). The partial sequence of this ORF was nevertheless used for the analysis with the different computer programs as explained above. It has thus been possible to determine that the orf28c gene encodes a protein having an identity of 64% on the determined sequence (SEQ ID No. 112, which is the partial sequence of the Orf28c protein) (determined by means of the BLAST program) with the encoded protein. by the acyB2 gene which encodes a regulatory protein involved in the biosynthesis of carbomycin in Streptomyces thermotolerans (Arisawa, A., et al., 1993; GenBank Accession Number: JC2032, BLAST Score: 329). This similarity with a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of a relatively close antibiotic suggests that the orf28c gene encodes a regulatory protein involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf28c gene also has a strong similarity with the TylR protein which is a

<Desc / Clms Page number 67>

 regulatory protein involved in tylosin biosynthesis in Streptomycesfradiae (Bate, N .; et al., 1999; GenBank Accession Number: AAF29380, BLAST Score: 167).

 The orf28c gene could be amplified by means of oligonucleotides located on either side of the undetermined sequence and subcloned into an expression vector. It has thus been demonstrated that the overexpression of the orf28c gene significantly increases the spiramycin production of the strain OSC2 (see Example 24). This demonstrates that the overexpression of orf28c leads to an increase in spiramycin production and confirms its role as a regulator of the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway.

 The orj29 gene encodes a protein having an identity of 31% (determined by the BLAST program) with a probable glycosyl hydrolase localized in the group of genes involved in the biosynthesis of soraphen A (a polyketide class antifungal) in Sorangium cellulosum ( Ligon, J., et al., 2002; GenBank Access Number: AAK19890, BLAST Score: 139). This similarity to a protein involved in the biosynthetic pathway of a relatively close molecule suggests that the or / 29 gene encodes a protein with glycosyl hydrolase activity. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the or / 29 gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 35).

An analysis of the sequence of the gold / 29 encoded protein using the CDResearch program (see above) also suggests that the or / 29 gene encodes a glycosyl hydrolase.

Table 35

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> ManA <SEP> (Caldicellulosiruptor <SEP> AAC44232 <SEP> 136 <SEP> beta-1,4-mannanase
<tb> saccharolyticus)
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 68>

<Tb>
<tb> ManA <SEP> (Dictyoglomus <SEP> thermophilum) <SEP> AAB82454 <SEP> 129 <SEP> beta-mannanase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

The orf30c gene encodes a protein having an identity of 31% (determined by the BLAST program) with a sugar-nucleoside-diphosphate epimerase at
Corynebacterium glutamicum (GenBank Accession Number: NP ~ 600590, BLAST Score:
89). This similarity suggests that the orf30c gene encodes an epimerase. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that a sequence analysis using the CD-search program (see above) also suggests that the orf30c gene encodes an epimerase.

 The or / 37 gene encodes a protein having an identity of 52% (determined by the BLAST program) with an oxidoreductase in Streptomyces coelicolor (GenBank Accession Number: NP ~ 631148, BLAST Score: 261). This similarity suggests that the gold / 37 gene encodes a reductase. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that a sequence analysis using the CD-search program (see above) also suggests that the or / 31 gene encodes a reductase. This hypothesis is also supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the or / 37 gene has a strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 36).

Table 36

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> Putative <SEP> oxidoreductase <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> BAB79295 <SEP> 173 <SEP> Oxidoreductase
<tb> griseus)
<tb> MocA <SEP> (Xanthomonas <SEP> axonopodis) <SEP> NP ~ 640644 <SEQ> 171 <SEP> Oxidoreductase
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

<Desc / Clms Page number 69>

The orf32c gene encodes a protein having an identity of 47% (determined by the BLAST program) with a regulatory protein of the GntR family in
Streptomyces coelicolor (GenBank accession number: NP ~ 625576, BLAST score: 229).
This similarity suggests that the orf32c gene encodes a transcriptional regulator of the GntR family. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the protein encoded by the orf32c gene shows strong similarity with other proteins of similar function in other organisms (see Table 37).

Table 37

<Tb>
<tb> Protein <SEP> presenting <SEP> a <SEP> similarity <SEP> Number <SEP> Score <SEP> Function <SEP> reported
<tb> Significant <SEP> of Access <SEP> BLAST *
<tb> GenBank
<tb> SC5G8.04 <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> coelicolor) <SEP> NP ~ 628991 <SEP> 209 <SEP> Regulating Protein <SEP>
<tb> of <SEP> the <SEP> family <SEP> GntR
<tb> transcriptional <SEP> regulator <SEP> (Streptomyces <SEP> AAFOI064 <SEP> 176 <SEP> Regulator
<tb> venezuelae) <SEP> transcriptional
<tb> BH0578 <SEP> (Bacillus <SEP> halodurans) <SEP> NP ~ 241444 <SEQ> 172 <SEP> Regulator
<tb> transcriptionl <SEP> of <SEP> la
<tb> family <SEP> GntR
<Tb>
* greater sequence similarity is associated with a higher BLAST score (Altschul et al., 1990).

 The present invention also relates to polynucleotides hybridizing under high stringency hybridization conditions to at least one of the polynucleotides of sequence SEQ ID N 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40, 43, 45, 47, 49, 53, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 118, and 120, or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived therefrom due to the degeneracy of the genetic code. Preferably, these polynucleotides are isolated from a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces, plus

<Desc / Clms Page number 70>

 preferentially, these polynucleotides encode proteins involved in the biosynthesis of a macrolide and even more preferably, these polynucleotides encode a protein having a similar activity to the protein encoded by the polynucleotides with which they hybridize. High stringency hybridization conditions can be defined as hybridization conditions that discriminate against the hybridization of non-homologous nucleic acid strands. Highly stringent hybridization conditions can be described, for example, as hybridization conditions in the buffer described by Church & Gilbert (Church & Gilbert, 1984) at a temperature of between 55 ° C. and 65 ° C., preferably the temperature The hybridization temperature is 60 ° C. and more preferably the hybridization temperature is 65 ° C., followed by one or more washes carried out in 2 × buffer. SSC at a temperature between 55 C and 65 C, preferably this temperature is 55 C, even more preferably this temperature is 60 C and very preferably this temperature is 65 C, followed by one or more washings in a buffer of 0.5 × SSC at a temperature of between 55 ° C. and 65 ° C., preferably this temperature is 55 ° C., even more preferably, this temperature is 60 ° C. and more preferably It is quite preferred that this temperature is 65 ° C. The hybridization conditions described above can be adapted as a function of the length of the nucleic acid whose hybridization is sought or of the type of marking chosen, according to the techniques described. known to those skilled in the art. Suitable hybridization conditions may for example be adapted according to the work of F.Ausubel et al., 2002.

 The invention also relates to a polynucleotide having at least 70%, more preferably 80%, more preferably 85%, more preferably 90%, more preferably 95% and most preferably 98%. % nucleotide identity with a polynucleotide comprising at least 10,12, 15,18, 20 to 25,30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, 1050, 1100, 1150, 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350, 1400, 1450, 1500, 1550, 1600, 1650, 1700, 1750, 1800, 1850 or 1900 consecutive nucleotides of a

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 polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of nucleotide sequences SEQ ID N 3.5, 7.9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40, 43, 45, 47, 49, 53.60, 62.64, 66.68, 70.72, 74.76, 78.80, 82.84, 107.109, 111, 113, 115, 118, and 120, or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived therefrom due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, or a complementary sequence polynucleotide. Preferably, said polynucleotides are isolated from a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces, more preferably these polynucleotides encode proteins involved in the biosynthesis of a macrolide, and even more preferentially, these polynucleotides encode proteins having activities similar to the encoded proteins. by the polynucleotides with which they present the identity. Most preferably, a polynucleotide according to the invention is chosen from the group consisting of the nucleotide sequences SEQ ID N 3.5, 7.9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28. , 30, 34, 36, 40, 43, 45, 47, 49, 53, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 107, 109, 111, 113 , 115, 118, and 120, or a polynucleotide of complementary sequence.

 The optimal alignment of the sequences for comparison can be performed in a computer manner using known algorithms, for example those of the FASTA package (Pearson W. R & DJ Lipman, 1988) and (Pearson WR, 1990), accessible especially at the INFOBIOGEN resource center, Evry, France. By way of illustration, the percentage of sequence identity can be determined using LFASTA software (Chao K.-M. et al., 1992) or LALIGN (Huang X. and Miller W., 1991). The LFASTA and LALIGN programs are part of the FASTA package. LALIGN returns the optimal local alignments: this program is more rigorous, but also slower than LFASTA.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide resulting from the expression of a nucleic acid sequence as defined above. Preferably, the polypeptides according to the invention have at least 70%, more preferably 80%, more preferably 85%, even more preferably 90%, even more preferably 95% and most preferably 98% amino acid identity with a polypeptide comprising at least 10, 15, 20, 30 to 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140,

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 160,180, 200,220, 240,260, 280,300, 320,340, 360,380, 400,420, 440,460, 480, 500,520, 540,560, 580,600, 620 or 640 consecutive amino acids of a polypeptide selected from SEQ ID N 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 , 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, 35, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55 , 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 117, 119 and 121, or one of these sequences except that throughout said sequence one or more amino acids have been substituted, inserted or deleted without affecting the functional properties or any variant thereof. Preferably, the polypeptides according to the invention are expressed in the natural state by a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces, more preferentially, these polypeptides are involved in the biosynthesis of a macrolide and even more preferentially, these polypeptides have an activity similar to that of the polypeptide. with whom he shares the identity. Preferably, a polypeptide according to the invention is chosen from the group consisting of the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID N 4,6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, 35.37, 38.39, 41.42, 44.46, 48, 50, 51, 52.54, 55.56, 57.58, 59.61, 63.65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 117, 119 and 121, or one of these sequences except that throughout said one or more sequence Amino acids have been substituted, inserted or deleted without affecting the functional properties or any of the variants of these sequences. Most preferably, a polypeptide according to the invention is chosen from the group consisting of the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID N 4,6, 8,10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27 , 29, 31, 32, 33, 35, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50.51, 52.54, 55.56, 57.58, 59, 61, 63, 65 , 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 117, 119 and 121.

 The optimal alignment of the sequences for comparison can be performed in a computer manner using known algorithms, for example those of the FASTA package (Pearson W. R & DJ Lipman, 1988) and (Pearson WR, 1990), accessible especially at the INFOBIOGEN resource center, Evry, France. By way of illustration, the percentage of sequence identity can be determined using software LFASTA (Chao K.-M. et al., 1992) or LALIGN (Huang X. and Miller W.,

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 1991), using the default settings as defined by the INFOBIOGEN Resource Center, Evry, France. The LFASTA and LALIGN programs are part of the FASTA package. LALIGN returns the optimal local alignments: this program is more rigorous, but also slower than LFASTA.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to a recombinant DNA comprising at least one polynucleotide as described above. Preferentially; this recombinant DNA is a vector. Even more preferentially, the vector is chosen from bacteriophages, plasmids, phagemids, integrative vectors, fosmids, cosmids, shuttle vectors, BACs (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) or PACs (Pl-derived Artificial Chromosome). By way of illustration, lambda phage and phage M13 may be mentioned as bacteriophages. Plasmids that may be mentioned include plasmids that replicate in E. coli, for example pBR322 and its derivatives, pUC18 and its derivatives, pUC19 and its derivatives, pGB2 and its derivatives (Churchward G. et al., 1984), pACYC177 (accession number GenBank Access: X06402) and its derivatives, pACYC184 (GenBank Access Number: X06403) and its derivatives. Streptomyces replicating plasmids such as, for example, pIJ101 and its derivatives, pSG5 and its derivatives, SLP1 and its derivatives, SCP2 * and its derivatives (Kieser et al., 2000) may also be mentioned. As illustrative pBluescript II and its derivatives (sold in particular by Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA)), pGEM-T and its derivatives (marketed by Promega (Madison, Wisconcin, USA)), #ZAPII and its derivatives (marketed in particular by Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA)). Integrative vectors that may be mentioned by way of illustration include integrative vectors in Streptomyces, for example those derived from SLP1 (Kieser et al., 2000), those derived from pSAM2 (Kieser et al., 2000), vectors using integration systems. PhiC31 phages (Kieser et al., 2000) (e.g., pSET152 (Bierman et al., 1992)) or VWB (Van Mellaert L, et al., 1998), as well as vectors using the IS integration system. (Kieser et al., 2000). As examples, fosmide pFOS1 (marketed by New England Bioloabs Inc., Beverly, Mass., USA) and its derivatives are exemplary. As cosmids, the cosmid SuperCos and its derivatives (marketed in particular by

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 Stratagene company (LaJolla, California, USA)), cosmid pWED15 (Wahl et al., 1987) and its derivatives. As shuttle vectors, the E. coli / Streptomyces shuttle plasmids, for example pIJ903 and its derivatives, the plasmid series pUWL, pCA0106, pWHM3, pOJ446 and their derivatives (Kieser et al. E. coli / Streptomyces as for example those described in the patent application WO 01/40497. As BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) can be cited by way of illustration the BAC pBeloBACll (GenBank access number: U51113). As PAC (Pl-derived Artificial Chromosome) may be mentioned by way of illustration the vector pCYPAC6 (GenBank access number: AF133437). Most preferably, a vector according to the invention is selected from pOS49.1, pOS49.11, pOSC49. 12, pOS49.14, pOS49. 16, pOS49. 28, pOS44.1, pOS44. 2, pOS44. 4, pSPM5, pSPM7, pOS49.67, pOS49. 88, pOS49.106, pOS49. 120, pOS49. 107, pOS49. 32, pOS49. 43, pOS49. 44, pOS49. 50, pOS49. 99, pSPM17, pSPM21, pSPM502, pSPM504, pSPM507, pSPM508, pSPM509, pSPM1, pBXLllll, pBXL1112, pBXL1113, pSPM520, pSPM521, pSPM522, pSPM523, pSPM524, pSPM525, pSPM527, pSPM528, pSPM34, pSPM35, pSPM36, pSPM37, pSPM38, pSPM39, pSPM40, pSPM41, pSPM42, pSPM43, pSPM44, pSPM45, pSPM47, pSPM48, pSPM50, pSPM51, pSPM52, pSPM53, pSPM55, pSPM56, pSPM58, pSPM72, pSPM73, pSPM515, pSPM519, pSPM74 and pSPM75.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to an expression system comprising an appropriate expression vector and a host cell for the expression of one or more polypeptides as described above in a biological system. The expression vectors according to the invention comprise a nucleic acid sequence encoding one or more polypeptides as described above and may be intended for the expression of the various polypeptides according to the invention in various well-known host cells of the invention. skilled person. By way of example, mention may be made of prokaryotic expression systems such as expression systems in E. coli bacteria, eukaryotic expression systems, such as the baculovirus expression system allowing expression in cells of insects, expression systems that allow expression in yeast cells, expression systems

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 allowing expression in mammalian cells, especially human cells. The expression vectors that can be used in such systems are well known to those skilled in the art, with regard to prokaryotic cells, for example illustrative expression vectors in E. coli, for example, of the pET family. sold by Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA), the GATEWAY family of vectors marketed by Invitrogen (Carlsbad, California, USA), the pBAD family vectors marketed by Invitrogen (Carlsbad, California, USA) , the vectors of the pMAL family sold by New England Bioloabs Inc. (Beverly, Massachussetts, USA), the rhamnose-inducible expression vectors cited in the publication Wilms B et al., 2001 and their derivatives, can be used. Streptomyces expression vectors such as pIJ4123, pIJ6021, pPM927, pANT849, pANT850, pANT851, pANT1200, pANT1201, pANT1202 and their derivatives (Kieser et al. 2000).

As regards the yeast cells, the vector pESC marketed by the company Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA) can be cited by way of illustration. As regards the baculovirus expression system allowing expression in insect cells, mention may be made, for example, of the BacPAK6 vector marketed by BD Biosciences Clontech, (Palo Alto, California, USA). As regards mammalian cells, mention may be made, for example, of vectors comprising the promoter of the early genes of the CMV (Cytomegalovirus) virus (for example the pCMV vector and its derivatives marketed by Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA). or the immediate promoter (SV40 early promoter) of simian SV40 vacuolizing virus (for example the vector pSG5 marketed by Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA).

 The invention also relates to a process for producing a polypeptide as described above, said method comprising the steps of: a) inserting a nucleic acid encoding said polypeptide into a suitable vector

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 b) culturing, in a suitable culture medium, a host cell previously transformed or transfected with the vector of step a); c) recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract, for example by sonication or osmotic shock; d) separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained in step c), said polypeptide; e) where appropriate, characterizing the recombinant polypeptide produced.

 A recombinant polypeptide according to the invention may be purified by passage over a suitable series of chromatography columns, according to the methods known to those skilled in the art and described for example in F. Ausubel et al (2002). By way of illustration, mention may be made of the Tag-Histidine technique, which consists in adding a short poly-histidine sequence to the polypeptide to be produced, which can then be purified on a nickel column. A polypeptide according to the invention may also be prepared by in vitro synthesis techniques. As an illustration of such techniques, a polypeptide according to the invention may be prepared using the rapid translation system (RTS) system, marketed in particular by Roche Diagnostics France SA, Meylan, France.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to host cells into which at least one polynucleotide and / or at least one recombinant DNA and / or at least one expression vector according to the invention has been introduced.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to microorganisms blocked in a step of the biosynthetic pathway of at least one macrolide. The interest lies in the study of the function of mutated proteins and in the production of microorganisms producing biosynthesis intermediates. These intermediates can be modified, optionally after separation, either by adding particular components to the production media, or by introducing into the microorganisms thus mutated other genes encoding proteins capable of

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 modify the intermediary by using it as a substrate. These intermediates can thus be modified chemically, biochemically, enzymatically and / or microbiologically.

Microorganisms blocked in a step of the macrolide biosynthetic pathway can be obtained by inactivating the function of one or more proteins involved in the biosynthesis of this or these macrolides in microorganisms producing this macrolide. Depending on the inactivated protein (s), it will thus be possible to obtain microorganisms blocked in the different steps of the biosynthetic pathway of this or these macrolides. The inactivation of this or these proteins can be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art, for example by mutagenesis in the gene (s) encoding said protein (s) or by the expression of one or more anti-RNA. -following complementary RNA or messenger RNAs encoding said one or more proteins. The mutagenesis may, for example, be carried out by irradiation, by mutagenic chemical action, by site-directed mutagenesis, by gene replacement or any other method known to those skilled in the art. The suitable conditions for such mutagenesis can, for example, be adapted according to the teaching contained in the works of Kieser, T et al (2000) and Ausubel et al., (2002). Mutagenesis can be carried out in vitro or in situ by deletion, substitution, deletion and / or addition of one or more bases in the gene of interest or by gene inactivation.

This mutagenesis can be carried out in a gene comprising a sequence as described above. Preferentially, the microorganisms blocked in a step of the macrolide biosynthetic pathway are bacteria of the genus Streptomyces. More preferably, the inactivation of the function of one or more proteins involved in the biosynthesis of the macrolide (s) in question is carried out by mutagenesis.

Even more preferentially, the macrolide in question is spiramycin and the microorganisms in which the mutagenesis (s) are carried out are strains of S. ambofaciens. More preferably, the mutagenesis is carried out in one or more genes comprising one of the sequences corresponding to one or more of the sequences SEQ ID N 3.5, 7.9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40, 43, 45, 47, 49, 53, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 118, and 120. Preferably, the mutagenesis (s) are carried out by inactivation.

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 gene. Most preferably, the mutagenesis consists in the gene inactivation of a gene comprising a sequence corresponding to the sequence SEQ ID No. 13.

(or/10:: f2hyg, cf. exemple 8), SPM21 (oYfZ:: att3S2aac-, cf. exemple 10), SPM22 (orfZ: : att3 délétion en phase, cf. exemple 10), SPM501 (of6*: : attl S2hyg+, cf. exemple 14), SPM502 (orf6*:: attl délétion en phase, cf. exemple 14), SPM507 (orfl2::att3slaac-, cf. exemple 11), SPM508 (orfl3c: : att3S2aac-, cf. exemple 12), SPM509 (ofl4:: att3S2aac-, cf. exemple 13). As an illustration, the following microorganisms can be cited as examples of such microorganisms: OS49. 16 (or / 3 :: #hyg, see example 2), OS49.67 (orf3deletion in phase, cf example 6), OS49. 107 (or / 8 :: #hyg, see example 7), OS49.50

(or / 10 :: f2hyg, see example 8), SPM21 (oYfZ :: att3S2aac-, see example 10), SPM22 (orfZ:: att3 in-phase deletion, see example 10), SPM501 (of6 *:: attn S2hyg +, see example 14), SPM502 (orf6 * :: attl deletion in phase, see example 14), SPM507 (orf1c :: att3S2aac-, cf. Example 12), SPM509 (ofl4 :: att3S2aac-, see Example 13).

 Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for preparing a macrolide biosynthesis intermediate using the microorganisms blocked in a step of the macrolide biosynthetic pathway as described above. The method comprises culturing, in a suitable culture medium, a microorganism blocked in a step of the macrolide biosynthetic pathway, as described above, recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract, for example by sonication or by osmotic shock, separate and purify from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained in the preceding step, said biosynthesis intermediate.

The culture conditions of such microorganisms may be determined according to techniques well known to those skilled in the art. The culture medium may for example be MP5 medium or SL11 medium for Streptomyces and in particular for Streptomyces ambofaciens (Pernodet et al., 1993). Those skilled in the art may in particular refer to the work of Kieser et al. (2000) with regard to the cultivation of Streptomyces. The product intermediate can be recovered by any techniques known to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art may refer, for example, to the techniques taught in US Pat. No. 3,000,785 and more particularly to the spiramycin extraction methods described in this patent.

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 Another object of the invention relates to a process for preparing a molecule derived from a macrolide using the microorganisms blocked in a step of the biosynthetic pathway of this macrolide, as described above. The process consists of obtaining a biosynthesis intermediate according to the above process and modifying the intermediate thus produced, possibly after separation from the culture medium. The culture conditions of such microorganisms may be determined according to techniques well known to those skilled in the art. The culture medium may for example be MP5 medium or SL11 medium for Streptomyces and in particular for Streptomyces ambofaciens (Pernodet et al., 1993). Those skilled in the art may in particular refer to the work of Kieser et al. 2000 with regard to the cultivation of Streptomyces. The intermediates produced can be modified, optionally after separation, either by adding appropriate components to the production media, or by introducing into the microorganisms other genes encoding proteins capable of modifying the intermediate by using it as a substrate. These intermediates can thus be modified chemically, biochemically, enzymatically and / or microbiologically. More preferably, the macrolide in question is spiramycin and the microorganisms in which the mutagenesis (s) are carried out are strains of S. ambofaciens.

 The invention also relates to a microorganism producing spiramycin I but not producing spiramycin II and III. This microorganism comprises all the genes necessary for the biosynthesis of spiramycin I but does not produce spiramycin II and III because the gene comprising the sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 13 or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived from them because of the degeneracy of the genetic code and encoding a polypeptide of sequence SEQ ID N 14 or one of its variants is not expressed or has been rendered inactive.

The inactivation of this protein can be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art, for example by mutagenesis in the gene encoding said protein or by the expression of an antisense RNA complementary to the messenger RNA encoding said protein. protein, provided that if the expression of orf5 * is affected by this manipulation, it will be necessary to make another modification so that the orf5 * gene is

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 correctly expressed. Mutagenesis may be performed in the coding sequence or in a non-coding sequence so as to render the encoded protein inactive or to prevent its expression or translation. Mutagenesis can be performed by site-directed mutagenesis, gene replacement or any other method known to those skilled in the art. The suitable conditions for such mutagenesis can, for example, be adapted according to the teaching contained in the works of Kieser, T et al (2000) and Ausubel et al., 2002. Mutagenesis can be performed in vitro or in situ, by deletion, substitution, deletion and / or addition of one or more bases in the gene of interest or by gene inactivation. The microorganism can also be obtained by expressing the genes of the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway without these comprising the gene comprising the sequence SEQ ID No. 13 or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived from those because of the degeneracy of the genetic code and encoding a polypeptide of sequence SEQ ID No. 14 or one of its variants. Preferably, the microorganism is a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces.

More preferably, the microorganism producing spiramycin 1 but not producing spiramycin II and III is obtained from a starting microorganism producing spiramycin I, II and III. Even more preferentially, the microorganism is obtained by mutagenesis in a gene comprising the sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 13 or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived from these because of the degeneracy of the genetic code and coding a polypeptide of sequence SEQ ID No. 14 or one of its variants having the same function. Even more preferentially, this mutagenesis is carried out by gene inactivation. Preferably, the microorganism is obtained from a strain of S. ambofaciens producing spiramycins I, II and III in which gene inactivation of the gene comprising the sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 13 or one of the derived sequences is carried out. of it because of the degeneracy of the genetic code. Most preferably, the gene inactivation is carried out by phase deletion of the gene or a part of the gene comprising the sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 13 or one of the sequences derived therefrom due to the degeneration of the genetic code. By way of illustration, the strain SPM502 (orf6 * :: attl, see Example 14) can be

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 cited as a microorganism producing spiramycin I but not producing spiramycin II and III.

 The invention also relates to a microorganism producing spiramycin I but not producing spiramycin II and III as described above, characterized in that it overexpresses in addition: a gene that can be obtained by polymerase chain reaction using the pair of primers of the following sequence: 5 'AAGCTTGTGTGCCCGGTGTACCTGGGGAGC 3' (SEQ ID N 138) and 5 'GGATCCCGCGACGGACACGACCGCCGCGCA 3' (SEQ ID N 139) and as template the cosmid pSPM36 or the total DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens - or a gene derived from it because of the degeneracy of the genetic code.

An example of a sequence of such a gene is given in SEQ ID No. 111 (DNA), however this sequence is partial since it does not include the 3 'part of the corresponding coding sequence. The protein translation of this portion of coding sequence is given in SEQ ID No. 112. Those skilled in the art can easily complete it, in particular by using the teaching presented in Example 24. It is thus presented in this example a method for clone the orf28c gene and to make an expression vector allowing the expression of orf28c. It is also shown in this example that the overexpression of the orf28c gene in the OSC2 strain leads to the improvement of the spiramycin production of this strain. Overexpression of the orf28c gene can be achieved by increasing the copy number of this gene and / or placing a more active promoter than the wild-type promoter. Preferably, the overexpression of said gene is obtained by providing the microorganism a recombinant DNA construct, allowing the overexpression of this gene. Preferably, this recombinant DNA construct increases the number of copies of said gene and makes it possible to obtain an overexpression of said gene. In this recombinant DNA construct, the coding sequence of the gene may be placed under the control of a more active promoter than the wild-type promoter. For example, the ptrc promoter active in Streptomyces ambofaciens (Amann, E. et al., 1988) and

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 the promoter ermE *. Thus, preferably, the copy or copies of the orf28c gene provided are placed under the control of the ermE * promoter as is the case in the pSPM75 construct (see Example 24).

 The invention also relates to a microorganism producing spiramycin 1 but not producing spiramycin II and III as described above, characterized in that it also overexpresses the coding sequence gene SEQ ID N 47 or of a coding sequence derived therefrom due to the degeneracy of the genetic code. Preferably, this microorganism is characterized in that it is the SPM502 strain pSPM525 deposited with the National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms (CNCM) Institut Pasteur, 25, rue du Docteur Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, on the 26th February 2003 under the registration number I-2977.

 The invention also relates to a process for the production of spiramycin I, the process consists in cultivating in a suitable culture medium a microorganism producing spiramycin 1 but not producing spiramycin II and III as described above, recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract, separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained in the preceding step spiramycin I. The culture conditions for such a microorganism may be determined according to techniques well known to those skilled in the art. The culture medium may for example be MP5 medium or SL11 medium for Streptomyces and in particular for Streptomyces ambofaciens (Pernodet et al., 1993). Those skilled in the art may in particular refer to the work of Kieser et al. 2000 with regard to the cultivation of Streptomyces. The spiramycin 1 produced can be recovered by any techniques known to those skilled in the art.

Those skilled in the art may refer, for example, to the techniques taught in US Pat. No. 3,000,785 and more particularly to the spiramycin extraction methods described in this patent.

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 Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a nucleotide sequence according to the invention for improving the production of macrolides of a microorganism.

Thus, the invention relates to a macrolide-producing mutant microorganism characterized in that it has a genetic modification in at least one gene comprising a sequence as defined above and / or that it overexpresses at least one gene comprising a sequence as defined above. The genetic modification may consist of the deletion, substitution, deletion and / or addition of one or more bases in the gene (s) considered for the purpose of expressing one or more proteins having a higher activity or expressing a higher level of this or these proteins. Overexpression of the gene of interest can be achieved by increasing the copy number of this gene and / or placing a more active promoter than the wild-type promoter. The active ptrc promoter in Streptomyces ambofaciens (Amann, E. et al., 1988) and the ermE * promoter (Bibb et al., 1985) (Bibb et al., 1994) can be cited as an example. Thus, the overexpression of the gene in question can be obtained by supplying a microorganism producing the macrolide considered a recombinant DNA construct according to the invention, allowing the overexpression of this gene. In fact, certain stages of macrolide biosynthesis are limiting and if one or more more active proteins or a higher level of expression of the wild protein or proteins involved in these limiting steps are expressed, the production of the macrolide can be improved. or macrolides involved. For example, an increase in the production rate of tylosin was obtained in Streptomyces fradiae by duplication of the gene encoding a limiting methyl transferase converting macrocin to tylosin (Baltz R, 1997). Obtaining the expression of a more active protein can be obtained in particular by mutagenesis, the person skilled in the art can for example refer to this subject in the work of F.Ausubel et al (2002). Preferentially, these mutant microorganisms improved for their production in macrolides are bacteria of the genus Streptomyces.

More preferably, the macrolide in question is spiramycin and the microorganisms in which the mutagenesis (s) are carried out are strains of S. ambofaciens. More preferably, the genetic modification is carried out in one or more genes comprising one of the sequences corresponding to one or more

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 sequences SEQ ID N 3.5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40, 43, 45, 47, 49, 53, 60 , 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 118, and 120, or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived from those because of the degeneracy of the genetic code. Preferably, the microorganism overexpresses one or more genes comprising one of the sequences corresponding to one or more of the sequences SEQ ID N 3.5, 7.9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28. ,,,, , 115, 118, and 120, or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived therefrom due to the degeneracy of the genetic code. Preferably, the microorganism overexpresses the gene comprising a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 111, or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived from these because of the degeneracy of the genetic code. The sequence given in SEQ ID No. 111 is partial, however the person skilled in the art will easily be able to complete it, in particular by using the teaching presented in Example 24. It is thus presented in this example a method for cloning the orf28c gene and for to make an expression vector allowing the expression of orf28c. It is also shown in this example that the overexpression of the orf28c gene in the OSC2 strain leads to the improvement of the spiramycin production of this strain. Overexpression of the orf28c gene can be achieved by increasing the copy number of this gene and / or placing a more active promoter than the wild-type promoter. Preferably, the overexpression of the orf28c gene is obtained by providing a recombinant DNA construct in the microorganism, allowing the overexpression of this gene. Preferably, this recombinant DNA construct increases the number of copies of the orj28c gene and makes it possible to obtain overexpression of the orf28c gene. In this recombinant DNA construct, the orf28c coding sequence may be under the control of a more active promoter than the wild-type promoter. For example, the ptrc promoter active in Streptomyces ambofaciens (Amann, E. et al., 1988) and the ermE * promoter can be cited. Thus, preferably, the copy or copies of the orf28c gene provided are placed under the control of the ermE * promoter as is the case in the pSPM75 construct (see Example 24).

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 Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for producing macrolides using the microorganisms described in the preceding paragraph. This method consists of cultivating in a suitable culture medium a microorganism defined in the preceding paragraph, recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract, separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained at the previous step the macrolide (s) produced. The culture conditions of such microorganisms may be determined according to techniques well known to those skilled in the art. The culture medium may for example be MP5 medium or SL11 medium for Streptomyces and in particular for Streptomyces ambofaciens (Pernodet et al., 1993). Those skilled in the art may in particular refer to the work of Kieser et al. 2000 with regard to the cultivation of Streptomyces. The macrolide (s) produced can be recovered by any technique known to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art may refer, for example, to the techniques taught in US Pat. No. 3,000,785 and more particularly to the spiramycin extraction methods described in this patent. Preferably, the microorganisms used in such a process are bacteria of the genus Streptomyces.

More preferably, the macrolide in question is spiramycin and the mutant microorganisms improved for their production in spiramycins are strains of S. ambofaciens.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a sequence and / or a vector according to the invention for the preparation of hybrid antibiotics. Indeed, the polynucleotides according to the invention can be used to obtain microorganisms expressing one or more mutant proteins giving rise to a modification in the specificity of the substrate or else to be expressed in multiple antibiotic-producing microorganisms in order to generate hybrid antibiotics. Thus the polynucleotides according to the invention can make it possible, by gene transfer between producer microorganisms, to produce hybrid antibiotics having pharmacologically interesting properties (Hopwood et al., 1985a, Hopwood et al., 1985b, Hutchinson et al., 1989). . The principle by which genetic engineering can lead to the production of hybrid antibiotics was first proposed by

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 Hopwood (Hopwood 1981). It has been proposed that enzymes involved in antibiotic biosynthesis often accept structurally related substrates, but different from their natural substrate. It is generally accepted (Hopwood 1981, Hutchinson 1988, Robinson 1988) that the enzymes encoded by genes in the antibiotic biosynthetic pathway have a less stringent substrate specificity than primary metabolic enzymes. It has thus been shown that a large number of natural substrates are transformed by antibiotic-producing microorganisms, mutants or purified enzymes of the biosynthetic pathway of these antibiotics (Hutchinson 1988). Using this teaching, those skilled in the art can construct microorganisms expressing one or more mutant proteins giving rise to a modification in the specificity of the substrate in order to generate hybrid antibiotics.

 The invention also relates to the use of at least one polynucleotide and / or at least one recombinant DNA and / or at least one expression vector and / or at least one polypeptide and / or at least one host cell according to the invention. invention for performing one or more bioconversions. Thus, the invention makes it possible to construct bacterial or fungal strains in which one or more proteins according to the invention are expressed under the control of appropriate expression signals. Such strains can then be used to carry out one or more bioconversions. These bioconversions can be done either with whole cells or with acellular extracts of said cells. These bioconversions can make it possible to transform a molecule into a derived form, with an enzyme of a biosynthetic pathway. For example, Carreras et al. describes the use of Saccharopolyspora erythraea strain and Streptomyces coelicolor strain for the production of new erithromycin derivatives (Carreras et al., 2002). Walczar et al. describes the use of Streptomyces P450 monooxygenase for the bioconversion of deacetyladriamycin (an anthracycline analogue) to novel anthracyclines (Walczar et al., 2001). Olonao et al. describes the use of a strain of Streptomyces lividans modified for rhodomycinone bioconversion.

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 epsilon to rhodomycin D (Olonao et al., 1999). Those skilled in the art can apply this principle to any biosynthetic intermediate.

 The invention also relates to a recombinant DNA characterized in that it comprises: a polynucleotide capable of being obtained by polymerase chain reaction using the following pair of primers: 5 'AAGCTTGTGTGCCCGGTGTACCTGGGGAGC 3' (SEQ ID N 138) and 5 'GGATCCCGCGACGGACACGACCGCCGCGCA 3' (SEQ ID N 139) and as a template the cosmid pSPM36 or the total DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens - or a fragment of at least 10,12, 15, 18, 20 to 25, 30, 40, 50,60, 70,80, 90,100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, 1050, 1100, 1150, 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350, 1400, 1450, 1460, 1470, 1480, 1490 or 1500 consecutive nucleotides of this polynucleotide.

Preferentially; this recombinant DNA is a vector. Even more preferentially, the vector is chosen from bacteriophages, plasmids, phagemids, integrative vectors, fosmids, cosmids, shuttle vectors, BACs (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) or PACs (Pl-derived Artificial Chromosome). By way of illustration, lambda phage and phage M13 may be mentioned as bacteriophages. Plasmids that may be mentioned include plasmids that replicate in E. coli, for example pBR322 and its derivatives, pUC18 and its derivatives, pUC19 and its derivatives, pGB2 and its derivatives (Churchward G. et al., 1984), pACYC177 (accession number GenBank Access: X06402) and its derivatives, pACYC184 (GenBank Access Number: X06403) and its derivatives. Streptomyces replicating plasmids such as, for example, pIJ101 and its derivatives, pSG5 and its derivatives, SLP1 and its derivatives, SCP2 * and its derivatives can also be mentioned (Kieser et al., 2000). As illustrative pBluescript II and its derivatives (sold in particular by Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA)), pGEM-T and its derivatives (marketed by Promega (Madison, Wisconcin, USA)), #ZAPII and its derivatives (marketed in particular by Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA)).

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Integrative vectors that may be mentioned by way of illustration include integrative vectors in Streptomyces, for example those derived from SLP1 (Kieser et al., 2000), those derived from pSAM2 (Kieser et al., 2000), vectors using integration of PhiC31 phages (Kieser et al., 2000) (eg pSET152 (Bierman et al., 1992)) or VWB (Van Mellaert L, et al., 1998), as well as vectors using the IS117 integration system (Kieser et al., 2000). As examples, fosmide pFOS1 (marketed by New England Bioloabs Inc., Beverly, Mass., USA) and its derivatives are exemplary.

As cosmids, the cosmid SuperCos and its derivatives (sold in particular by the company Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA)), the cosmid pWED15 (Wahl et al., 1987) and its derivatives are exemplary. As shuttle vectors, the E. coli / Streptomyces shuttle plasmids, for example pIJ903 and its derivatives, the plasmid series pUWL, pCA0106, pWHM3, pOJ446 and their derivatives (Kieser et al. E. coli / Streptomyces as for example those described in the patent application WO 01/40497. As BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) can be cited by way of illustration the BAC pBeloBACll (GenBank access number: U51113). As PAC (Pl-derived Artificial Chromosome) may be mentioned by way of illustration the vector pCYPAC6 (GenBank access number: AF133437). More preferably, this recombinant DNA is an expression vector. The expression vectors that can be used in different expression systems are well known to those skilled in the art, with regard to prokaryotic cells, for example, the expression vectors in E. coli, for example pET family marketed by Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA), GATEWAY family vectors marketed by Invitrogen (Carlsbad, California, USA), the pBAD family vectors marketed by Invitrogen (Carlsbad, California, USA), the pMAL family vectors marketed by New England Bioloabs Inc. (Beverly, Mass., USA), the rhamnose-inducible expression vectors cited in Wilms B et al., 2001 and their derivatives, Streptomyces expression vectors can also be mentioned, for example pIJ4123 vectors,

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 pIJ6021, pPM927, pANT849, pANT 850, pANT 851, pANT1200, pANT1201, pANT1202 and their derivatives (Kieser et al., 2000). As regards the yeast cells, the vector pESC marketed by the company Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA) can be cited by way of illustration. As regards the baculovirus expression system allowing expression in insect cells, mention may be made, for example, of the BacPAK6 vector marketed by BD Biosciences Clontech, (Palo Alto, California, USA). As regards mammalian cells, mention may be made, for example, of vectors comprising the promoter of the early genes of the CMV (Cytomegalovirus) virus (for example the pCMV vector and its derivatives marketed by Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA). or the SV40 early promoter of simian SV40 vacuolizing virus (eg, the vector pSG5 marketed by Stratagene (LaJolla, Calif., USA). Another aspect of the invention relates to host cells in which at least one recombinant DNA described in this paragraph has been introduced.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a polypeptide characterized in that said method comprises the following steps: a) transforming a host cell with at least one expression vector as described in the paragraph above ; b) culturing, in a suitable culture medium, said host cell; c) recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract; d) separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained in step c), said polypeptide; e) where appropriate, characterizing the recombinant polypeptide produced.

 The recombinant polypeptide thus produced can be purified by passage over a suitable series of chromatography columns, according to methods known to those skilled in the art and described for example in F. Ausubel et al (2002). By way of illustration, mention may be made of the Tag-Histidine technique, which consists in adding a short poly-histidine sequence to the polypeptide to be produced, which can then be purified on a nickel column. This polypeptide can also be prepared by

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 in vitro synthesis techniques. As an illustration of such techniques, the polypeptide may be prepared by means of the rapid translation system (RTS), marketed in particular by Roche Diagnostics France SA, Meylan, France.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to a microorganism producing at least one spiramycin characterized in that it overexpresses: a gene capable of being obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the pair of primers of following sequence: 5 'AAGCTTGTGTGCCCGGTGTACCTGGGGAGC 3' (SEQ ID N 138) and 5 'GGATCCCGCGACGGACACGACCGCCGCGCA 3' (SEQ ID N 139) and as a template the cosmid pSPM36 or the total DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens, - or a gene derived therefrom because of the degeneracy of the genetic code.

An example of a sequence of such a gene is given in SEQ ID No. 111 (DNA), however this sequence is partial since it does not include the 3 'portion of the corresponding coding sequence. The protein translation of this portion of coding sequence is given in SEQ ID No. 112. Those skilled in the art can easily complete it, in particular by using the teaching presented in Example 24. It is thus presented in this example a method for cloning the orj28c gene and to make an expression vector allowing the expression of orj28c. It is also shown in this example that the overexpression of the orj28c gene in the OSC2 strain leads to the improvement of the spiramycin production of this strain. Preferably, the microorganism overexpressing - a gene capable of being obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the pair of primers with the following sequence: ## STR2 ## 3 '(SEQ ID N 139) and as a template the cosmid pSPM36 or the total DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens, - or a gene derived from it because of the degeneracy of the genetic code is a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces, still more preferably, it is a bacterium of the species Streptomyces ambofaciens. Preferably, overexpression

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 said gene is obtained by transformation of said microorganism with an expression vector, most preferably the microorganism strain is the strain OSC2 / pSPM75 (1) or strain OSC2 / pSPM75 (2).

 Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for producing spiramycin (s) using the microorganisms described in the preceding paragraph. This method consists of cultivating in a suitable culture medium a microorganism defined in the preceding paragraph, recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract, separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained at the preceding step or the spiramycins produced. The culture conditions of such microorganisms may be determined according to techniques well known to those skilled in the art. The culture medium may for example be MP5 medium or SL11 medium for Streptomyces and in particular for Streptomyces ambofaciens (Pernodet et al., 1993). Those skilled in the art may in particular refer to the work of Kieser et al. 2000 with regard to the cultivation of Streptomyces. The spiramycin (s) produced can be recovered by any technique known to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art may refer, for example, to the techniques taught in US Pat. No. 3,000,785 and more particularly to the spiramycin extraction methods described in this patent. Preferably, the microorganisms used in such a process are bacteria of the genus Streptomyces. More preferably, the microorganisms are strains of S. ambofaciens.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to an expression vector characterized in that the polynucleotide of sequence SEQ ID No. 47 or a polynucleotide derived therefrom due to the degeneracy of the genetic code is placed under the control of a promoter. allowing expression of the protein encoded by said polynucleotide in Streptomyces ambofaciens. Examples of expression vectors that can be used in Streptomyces have been given above.

Preferably, such an expression vector is characterized in that it is the plasmid pSPM524 or pSPM525.

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 Another aspect of the invention relates to a strain of Streptomyces ambofaciens transformed by a vector defined in the preceding paragraph.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide characterized in that its sequence comprises the sequence SEQ ID No. 112. The invention also relates to a polypeptide characterized in that its sequence corresponds to the translated sequence of the coding sequence: a gene which can be obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the pair of primers of the following sequence: 5 'AAGCTTGTGTGCCCGGTGTACCTGGGGAGC 3' (SEQ ID N 138) and 5 'GGATCCCGCGACGGACACGACCGCCGCGCA 3' (SEQ ID N 139) and as a template the cosmid pSPM36 or the total DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens, or a gene derived from it because of the degeneracy of the genetic code.

Preferably these polypeptides are expressed in the natural state by a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces, more preferably, these polypeptides are involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins.

 Another aspect of the invention relates to an expression vector for the expression of a polypeptide as defined in the preceding paragraph in Streptomyces ambofaciens. Examples of expression vectors that can be used in Streptomyces have been given above. Preferentially, the expression vector in question is the plasmid pSPM75.

 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Chemical structure of spiramycins I, II and III.

 Figure 2: Cosmids used for sequencing the region.

 Figure 3: Organization of a group of genes involved in the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway.

Figure 4: Proposed biosynthetic pathway of mycarosis.

Figure 5: Proposed biosynthetic pathway of mycaminosis.

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Figure 6: Proposed biosynthetic pathway of forosamine.

Figure 7: Preferred order of addition of sugars in the spiramycin molecule and intermediates.

Figure 8: Proposed biosynthetic pathway of methoxymalonyl in S. ambofaciens. This pathway is proposed by analogy with the biosynthesis of methoxymalonyl in Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. ascomyceticus (Wu, K et al., 2000).

Figure 9: Steps leading to the inactivation of a gene:
A) Cloning of the target gene in a replicating vector in E. coli and not in
Streptomyces;
B) Insertion of the cassette into the target gene (by cloning or recombination between short identical sequences);
C) Introduction of the plasmid into Streptomyces ambofaciens (by transformation or conjugation) and selection of the clones having integrated the cassette and then screening of clones having lost the vector part to have a gene replacement;
D) Mutant strain in which the target gene is inactivated.

Figure 10: optional following the inactivation of a gene according to the method described in Figure 9, which can be conducted if an excisable cassette has been used to interrupt the target gene:
E) Introduction into the mutant strain of plasmid pOSV508 carrying the xis and int genes of pSAM2 whose products will allow efficient excision by site-specific recombination of the cassette;
F) Obtaining clones having lost the excisable cassette and sensitive to the antibiotic to which the cassette gave the resistance;
G) After growth and sporulation on solid medium without antibiotic plasmid pOSV508 is lost at high frequency. Thiostrepton-sensitive clones in which the target gene contains an in-phase deletion can be obtained. The sequence of the deleted target gene can be monitored by PCR and sequencing of the PCR product.

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Figure 11: Amplification of the excisable cassette for the purpose of using it for a homologous recombination experiment. The homologous recombination technique using short homologous sequences has been described by (Chaveroche et al., 2000). The 39 or 40 deoxy nucleotides located at the 5 'end of these oligonucleotides comprise a sequence corresponding to a sequence of the gene to be inactivated and the 3' most deoxynucleotides correspond to the sequence of one end of the cassette. excisable.

Figure 12: Obtaining a construct for the inactivation of a target gene using the technique described by (Chaveroche et al., 2000).

Figure 13: Map of plasmid pWHM3. Strepto ori: origin of replication Streptomyces.

Figure 14: Map of plasmid pOSV508.

Figure 15: Example of structure of an excisable cassette. This consists of the #hyg cassette (Blondelet-Rouault et al., 1997) bordered by the attR and attL sites (Raynal et al., 1998), between which a recombination event will allow the excision of the cassette, thanks to to the expression of the genes xis and int.

Figure 16: Map of plasmid pBXL 111.

Figure 17: Map of plasmid pBXL1112.

Figure 18: Microbiological test of spiramycin production, based on the sensitivity of a strain of Micrococcus luteus to spiramycin. The strain of Micrococcus luteus used is a strain naturally sensitive to spiramycin but resistant to congocidin. The different strains of Streptomyces to be tested were cultured in 500 ml Erlenmeyer flasks containing 70 ml of MP5 medium, inoculated at an initial concentration of 2.5 106 spores / ml and grown at 27 ° C. with orbital shaking of 250 rpm. Samples of fermentation musts were made after 48.72 and 96 hours of culture and centrifuged. A tenth dilution of these supernatants in sterile culture medium is used for the test. The indicator strain of Micrococcus luteus resistant to congocidine but sensitive to spiramycin (Gourmelen et al.,

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 1998) was grown in a 12x12 cm square box. Whatman AA paper disks were soaked with 70 l of the tenth dilution of each supernatant and deposited on the surface of the box. Disks imbibed with a solution of spiramycin of different concentrations (2-4-8 μg / ml in MP5 culture medium) are used as a standard range. The dishes are incubated at 37 ° C. for 24 to 48 hours. If the disc contains spiramycin, it diffuses into the agar and inhibits the growth of the indicator strain of Micrococcus luteus. This inhibition creates a halo around the disc, this halo reflecting the area where the strain of Micrococcus luteus did not grow. The presence of this halo is therefore an indication of the presence of spiramycin and makes it possible to determine whether the S. ambofaciens strain corresponding to the disc in question is producing or not producing spiramycin. A comparison with the diameters of inhibition obtained for the standard range makes it possible to obtain an indication of the amount of spiramycin produced by this strain.

Figure 19: HPLC chromatogram of the filtered supernatant of the culture medium of the strain OSC2.

Figure 20: HPLC chromatogram of the filtered supernatant of the culture medium of strain SPM501.

Figure 21: HPLC chromatogram of the filtered supernatant of the culture medium of strain SPM502.

Figure 22: HPLC chromatogram of the filtered supernatant of the culture medium of strain SPM507.

 FIG. 23: HPLC chromatogram of the filtered supernatant of the culture medium of strain SPM508.

FIG. 24: HPLC chromatogram of the filtered supernatant of the culture medium of strain SPM509.

Figure 25: Alignment of the protein Orf3 (SEQ ID No. 29) with the protein TylB (SEQ ID No. 87) S.fradiae achieved through the FASTA program.

Figure 26: Alignment of the MdmA protein of S. mycarofaciens (SEQ ID No. 88) with the SrmD protein (SEQ ID No. 16) produced using the FASTA program.

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 Figure 27: Example of sequences of the residual sites after excision of the excisable cassette. In bold is indicated the minimum att26 site as defined in Raynal et al., 1998. The sequence of the 33 nucleotide phase (attl) is presented in SEQ ID N 104, the phase 2 (att2) sequence of 34. nucleotides is presented in SEQ ID N 105, the sequence of phase 3 (att3) of 35 nucleotides is presented in SEQ ID N 95.Figure 28: Schematic representation of the orflO gene, location of the PCR primers utlisés and construction obtained with each pair of d primers.

Figure 29: Construction of the pac-oritT cassette.

Figure 30: Cosmid map pWED2.

Figure 31: Schematic representation of the group of genes involved in the spiramycin biosynthesis pathway and the location of the three probes used to isolate the cosmids of the genomic DNA library of Streptomyces ambofaciens strain OSC2 in E. coli (cf. Example 19) Figure 32: Location of inserts of cosmids isolated from the genomic DNA library of Streptomyces ambofaciens strain OSC2 in E. coli (see Example 19) .Figure 33: Subcloning of the PstIPst1 fragment of cosmid pSPM36 (FIG. plasmid insert (pSPM58), subcloning the Stul-Stul fragment of cosmid pSPM36 (insert of plasmid pSPM72) and subcloning an EcoRI-StuI fragment (insert of plasmid pSPM73).

Figure 34: Location of the open reading frames identified in the PstIPstI insert of plasmid pSPM58 and in the EcoRI-Stul insert of plasmid pSPM73.

Figure 35: Superposition of HPLC chromatograms of the filtered supernatant of the culture medium of strain OS49. 67 at 238 and 280 nm (high) and UV spectra of the eluted molecules at 33.4 minutes and 44.8 minutes (low).

Figure 36: Molecular Structure of Platenolide A and Platenolide B Molecules

Figure 37: Organization of the gene cluster involved in the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway.

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 The present invention is illustrated with the aid of the following examples, which should be considered as illustrative and not limiting.

 In summary, the genes of the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway were isolated from a genomic library of Streptomyces ambofaciens. This library was obtained by partial digestion of the genomic DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens by the BamHI restriction enzyme. Large DNA fragments, averaging 35-45 kb, were cloned into cosmid pWED1 (Gourmelen et al., 1998) derived from cosmid pWED15 (Wahl et al., 1987). These cosmids were introduced into E. coli by means of phage particles. The library thus obtained was hybridized with a probe (of sequence SEQ ID No. 86) corresponding to part of the tylB gene of S. fradiae (MersonDavies & Cundliffe, 1994, GenBank accession number: U08223). After hybridization, a cosmid on the 4 hybridizing with the probe was more particularly selected. This cosmid named pOS49. 1 was then digested with SacI and a 3.3 kb fragment containing the hybridizing region with the probe was subcloned into the vector pUC19 and sequenced. Four open reading runs were identified and one of them encodes a protein (SEQ ID No. 29) with strong sequence similarities to the S. fradiae TylB protein (SEQ ID N 87) (see FIG. ). This gene was named gold / 3 (SEQ ID N 28) and was inactivated in S. ambofaciens. It has been shown that inactivated clones in the or / 3 gene no longer produce spiramycins. This shows the implication of the orf3 gene or genes located downstream in the biosynthesis of spiramycins.

 Once this confirmation was obtained, a larger region of the cosmid pOS49.1 was sequenced on either side of the SacI fragment previously studied. Thus, from the cosmid pOS49. 1, the sequence of a region comprising seven whole open reading and two incomplete incomplete phases, located on either side of these seven complete open phases, could be obtained. Through a database search, it was shown that one of the open incomplete reading stages corresponded to the srmG locus (a region encoding an enzyme called polyketide synthase (PKS)). The corresponding genes were cloned by Burgett S. et al. in 1996 (US Patent US

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 5945320). On the other hand, the other open reading phases, the seven entire ORFs named: or / 7, orf2, or / 3, orf4, or / ?, orf6, orf7 (SEQ ID N 23,25, 28,30, 34,36 , 40) and the beginning of the eighth ORF named or / 8 (sequence SEQ ID N 43) were not found in the databases.

 In a second time and in order to clone other genes involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins, other cosmids containing fragments of the genome of S. ambofaciens in this same region were isolated. For this, a new series of hybridizations on colonies was carried out using three probes. The first probe corresponds to a 3.7kb DNA fragment containing orf1, orf2 and the beginning of gold / 3, subcloned from pOS49.1. The second probe corresponds to a 2 kb fragment of DNA containing part of orf7 and part of orf8 and subcloned from pOS49. 1. A third probe has also been used. The latter corresponds to a 1.8 kb DNA fragment containing the srmD gene. The srmD gene is an isolated gene of S. ambofaciens capable of conferring resistance to spiramycin. Indeed, previous work had allowed the cloning of several resistance determinants of S. ambofaciens, conferring resistance to spiramycin to a strain of S. griseofuscus (spiramycin-sensitive strain) (Pernodet et al., 1993) (Pernodet et al., 1999). For the isolation of resistance genes, a cosmid library of genomic DNA of the S. ambofaciens strain was made in the cosmid pKC505 (Richardson MA et al., 1987). This cosmid pool had been introduced into S. griseofuscus, naturally sensitive to spiramycin. Five cosmids capable of conferring resistance to apramycin and spiramycin in S. griseofuscus had thus been obtained. Among these 5 cosmids, a cosmid named pOS44. 1 has in its insert the srmD gene which encodes a protein having a certain similarity with the protein encoded by the mdmA gene of Streptomyces mycarofaciens and involved in resistance to midecamycin in this producing organism (Hara et al., 1990, issue number Genbank access: A60725) (Figure 26). The third probe used to locate the spiramycin biosynthetic genes was an insert of approximately 1.8 kb including the srmD gene.

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 These three probes were used to hybridize the genomic DNA library described above and made it possible to choose two cosmids (pSPM7 and pSPM5) capable of containing the longest inserts and having no common bands.

The cosmid pSMP5 hybridized with the first and second probes, but did not hybridize with the third probe, whereas the cosmid pSPM7 hybridized with the third probe only. These two cosmids were completely sequenced by the shotgun sequencing technique. The sequences of the inserts of these two cosmids: pSPM7 and pSPM5 could be assembled because although not overlapping, each of the inserts included a known sequence at one of its ends. Indeed, each of these inserts included a fragment of the sequence of one of the genes encoding an enzyme called polyketide synthase (PKS). These 5 genes were cloned by Burgett S. et al. in 1996 (US Patent 5,945,320) (see Figure 2). Thus, it has been possible to determine a unique genomic DNA sequence of S. ambofaciens. A sequence of 30943 nucleotides starting at 5 'from an EcoRI site located in the first PKS gene and going up to a 3' BamHI site is presented in SEQ ID No. 1. This sequence corresponds to the upstream region of the genes. of the PKS (see Figure 2 and 3). A second region of 11171 nucleotides, starting from a 5 'PstI site and going up to a 3' BstEII site located in the fifth PKS gene, is presented in SEQ ID No. 2. This region is the downstream region of the PKS genes (downstream and upstream are defined by the orientation of PKS genes all oriented in the same direction) (see Figures 2 and 3).

 In a third step, and in order to clone other genes involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins, other cosmids comprising fragments of the S. ambofaciens genome in the same region were isolated (see Examples 18 and 19).

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EXAMPLE 1 Construction of a genomic DNA library of Streptomyces ambofaciens strain ATCC23877 in E. coli 1. Extraction of genomic DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens strain ATCC23877

 Strain ATCC23877 from Streptomyces ambofaciens (available especially from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) (Manassas, Virginia, USA), under the number 23877) was grown in YEME (Yeast Extract-Malt Extract) medium (Kieser, T, et al., 2000) and the genomic DNA of this strain was extracted and purified according to standard lysis and precipitation techniques (Kieser T. et al., 2000).

1.2. Construction of the genomic DNA library
The genomic DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens strain ATCC23877 as isolated above was partially digested with BamHI restriction enzyme so as to obtain DNA fragments between about 35 and 45 kb in size.

These fragments were cloned into cosmid pWED1 (Gourmelen et al., 1998) pre-digested with BamHI. The cosmid pWED1 is derived from the cosmid pWE15 (Wahl, et al., 1987) by deletion of the 4.1 kb HpaI-HpaI fragment containing the active expression module in mammals (Gourmelen et al., 1998). The ligation mixture was then packaged in vitro in lambda phage particles by means of the Packagene Lambda DNA packaging system marketed by Promegae according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The phage particles obtained were used to infect the strain SURE @ E. coli marketed by Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA). The selection of the clones was carried out on LB medium + ampicillin (50 g / ml) since the cosmid pWED1 confers resistance to ampicillin.

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EXAMPLE 2 Isolation and Characterization of Genes Involved in the Biosynthesis of Spiramycins in Streptomyces Ambofaciens 2.1 Colony Hybridization of E. coli genome library of Streptomyces ambofaciens ATCC23877
About 2000 clones of E. coli from the library obtained above, were transferred to filter for colony hybridization. The probe used for the hybridization is an NaeI-NaeI fragment of DNA (SEQ ID No. 86) comprising part of the tylB gene of Streptomycesfradiae. This fragment corresponds to nucleotides 2663 to 3702 of the DNA fragment described by Merson-Davies, LA & Cundliffe E. (Merson-Davies, LA & Cundliffe E., 1994, GenBank accession number: U08223), in which the sequence coding of the tylB gene corresponds to nucleotides 2677 to 3843.

 The NaeI-NaeI fragment of DNA bearing part of the tylB gene of Streptomyces fradiae (SEQ ID No. 86) was labeled with 32P by the random priming technique (Kit marketed by Roche) and used as a probe for hybridization. 2000 clones of the bank, transferred to filter. The membranes used are Hybond N nylon membranes sold by Amersham (Amersham Biosciences, Orsay, France) and the hybridization was carried out at 55 ° C. in the buffer described by Church & Gilbert (Church & Gilbert, 1984). Washing was carried out in 2X SSC at 55 ° C. for 15 minutes and two successive 0 × 5 × SSC washes were then carried out at 55 ° C. for a duration of 15 minutes each. Under these hybridization and washing conditions, 4 of the 2000 hybridized clones had a strong hybridization signal.

These 4 clones were cultured in LB + ampicillin medium (50 ng / ml) and the 4 corresponding cosmids were extracted by standard alkaline lysis (Sambrook et al., 1989). It was then verified that the hybridization was due to a DNA fragment present in the insert of these four cosmids. For this, the cosmids were independently digested with several enzymes (BamHI, PstI and SacI). The digests were separated on agarose gel, transferred to nylon membrane and hybridized with the NaeI-NaeI fragment of DNA containing part of the tylB gene of Streptomycesfradiae (see above) in

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 the same conditions as above. The four cosmids could be validated and one of these cosmids was more particularly retained and was named pOS49.1.

2. 2 Verification of the involvement of the identified region and sequencing of the cosmid insert pOS49.1
Several fragments of the cosmid insert pOS49.1 were subcloned and their sequences determined. The cosmid pOS49. 1 was digested with SacI enzyme and it was shown by Southern blot, under the conditions previously described, that a 3.3 kb fragment contains the hybridizing region with the tylB probe. This 3.3 kb fragment was isolated by electroelution from an 0.8% agarose gel and then cloned into the pUC19 vector (GenBank accession number M77789) and sequenced. The plasmid thus obtained was named pOS49.11. Four open reading runs with typical Streptomyces codon usage could be identified in this fragment (two complete and two truncated), using the FramePlot program (Ishikawa J & Hotta K.

1999). Sequence comparisons using the FASTA program (see Pearson W. R & DJ Lipman, 1988) and (Pearson WR, 1990), available in particular from the INFOBIOGEN resource center, Evry, France, have shown that The protein deduced from one of these 4 open reading phases has strong sequence similarities with the S. fradiae TylB protein (SEQ ID N 87, GenBank accession number: U08223) (see Figure 25). This protein has been named Orf3 (SEQ ID N 29).

 In order to test whether the corresponding gene (the or / 3 gene (SEQ ID No. 28)) was involved in spiramycin biosynthesis in S. ambofaciens, this gene was interrupted by a #hyg cassette (Blondelet-Rouault MH. et al., 1997, GenBank Access Number: X99315). For this, the plasmid pOS49.11 was digested with the enzyme XhoI and the fragment containing the four open reading phases (two complete and two truncated, including or / 3 in full) was subcloned at the XhoI site pBC SK + vector marketed by the company Stratagene (LaJolla, Califonnie, USA). The plasmid thus obtained was named pOS49. 12. In order to inactivate or / 3, an internal PmlI-BstEII fragment at or / 3 has been replaced by the #hyg cassette by free-end cloning in this

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 last plasmid. For this, the plasmid pOS49. 12 was digested with PmlI and BstEII enzymes whose unique site is in the coding sequence of the or / 3 gene. The ends of the fragment corresponding to the vector were blunted by treatment with the Klenow enzyme (large fragment of DNA polymerase I). The Qhyg cassette was obtained by digestion with the BamHI enzyme of the pHP45 #hyg plasmid (Blondelet-Rouault et al., 1997, GenBank accession number: X99315). The fragment corresponding to the #hyg cassette was recovered on agarose gel and its ends were blunted by treatment with the Klenow enzyme. The two free ends fragments thus obtained (the Qhyg cassette and the plasmid pOS49.12) were ligated and the ligation product was used for the transformation of E. coli bacteria. The plasmid thus obtained was named pOS49. 14 and contains the or / 3 gene interrupted by the Qhyg cassette.

 The insert of plasmid pOS49. 14, in the form of an XhoI-XhoI fragment whose ends were made non-cohesive by treatment with Klenow enzyme, was cloned at the EcoRV site of plasmid pOJ260 (plasmid pOJ260 is a conjugative plasmid capable of to replicate in E. coli but unable to replicate in S. ambofaciens (Bierman M et al., 1992) This plasmid confers resistance to apramycin in E. coli and Streptomyces). The resulting plasmid (plasmid insert pOS49, cloned into plasmid pOJ260) was named pOS49. 16. The latter was transferred to S. ambofaciens strain ATCC23877 by conjugation with the conjugative strain E. coli S 17-1, as described by Mazodier et al. (Mazodier et al., 1989). E. coli strain S17-1 is derived from E. coli strain 294 (Simon et al., 1983) (Simon, et al., 1986). Transconjugant clones possessing the hygromycin resistance marker carried by the Qhyg cassette and having lost the apramycin resistance marker carried by the vector pOJ260 could be obtained. For this, after conjugation, the clones are selected for their resistance to hygromycin. The hygromycin-resistant clones are then transplanted respectively on medium with hygromycin (antibiotic B) and on medium with apramycin (antibiotic A) (see FIG. 9). Hygromycin-resistant clones (HygR) and apramycin-sensitive clones (ApraS)

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 are in principle those where a double recombination event has occurred and therefore have the orf3 gene interrupted by the Qhyg cassette. Replacing the wild copy of orf3 with the interrupted copy was verified by two successive hybridizations. Thus, the total DNA of the clones obtained, was digested with various enzymes, separated on agarose gel, transferred to the membrane and hybridized with a probe corresponding to the #hyg cassette (see above) to verify the presence of the cassette in the genomic DNA of the clones obtained. A second hybridization was carried out using as a probe the XhoI-XhoI insert of plasmid pOS49.11 containing the four open reading phases (two complete and two truncated, including orf3 in full). Verification of the genotype can also be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art and in particular by PCR using the appropriate oligonucleotides and sequencing of the PCR product. One of the clones gold / 3 :: #hyg thus obtained and whose genotype was verified, was chosen and was called OS49.16.

 The spiramycin production of clone OS49. 16 thus obtained was tested by the production test described below (see Example 15). It has thus been demonstrated that this strain no longer produces spiramycin, confirming the involvement of or / 3 and / or downstream genes such as for example orf4 in the biosynthesis of spiramycins.

 Once this confirmation was obtained, a larger region of the cosmid pOS49.1 was sequenced on either side of the SacI fragment previously studied. Thus, from the cosmid pOS49.1, the sequence of a region comprising seven whole open reading and two incomplete incomplete phases located on either side of these seven complete open phases could be obtained. Through a database search, it was shown that one of the open incomplete reading stages corresponded to the srmG locus (a region encoding an enzyme called polyketide synthase (PKS)). The corresponding genes were cloned by Burgett S. et al. in 1996 (US Patent 5,945,320). On the other hand, the other open reading phases: seven full ORFs named: orf1, orf2, orf3, orf4, or5, orf6, or / 7 (SEQ ID N 23,25, 28,30, 34,36 and 40) and the beginning of the eighth ORF named or / 8 (the entire sequence of this orf is given in SEQ ID N 43) have not been found in the databases.

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EXAMPLE 3 Isolation and Characterization of Other Genes Involved in the Biosynthesis of Spiramycins in Streptomyces ambofaciens
In a second time and in order to clone other genes involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins, other cosmids containing fragments of the genome of S. ambofaciens in this same region were isolated. For this purpose, a new series of hybridizations on colonies was carried out using three probes: the first probe used corresponds to a 3.7 kb BamHI-PstI DNA fragment containing a fragment of the PKS gene (genes corresponding to PKS were cloned by Burgett S. et al., in 1996 (US Patent 5,945,320), orf1, orf2, and start of gold / 3, subcloned from pOS49.1 and from a BamHI site. located 1300 base pairs upstream of the EcoRI site defining the position 1 of SEQ ID No. 1, to the PstI site located at position 2472 (SEQ ID No. 1). This BamHI-PstI fragment was subcloned from pOS49. 1 in the plasmid pBC SK +, which made it possible to obtain the plasmid pOS49. 28.

The second probe used corresponds to a PstI-BamHI DNA fragment of approximately 2 kb containing a fragment of gold / 7 and orf8, subcloned from pOS49. 1 and ranging from a PstI site located at position 6693 of SEQ ID No. 1 to the BamHI site located at position 8714 of SEQ ID No. 1. This PstI-BamHI fragment was subcloned from pOS49.1 into plamside pBC SK +, which made it possible to obtain the plasmid pOS49.76.

 - A third probe was also used. The latter corresponds to a 1.8kb EcoRI-HindIII DNA fragment containing the srmD gene. The srmD gene is an isolated gene of S. ambofaciens capable of conferring resistance to spiramycin. Indeed, previous work had allowed the cloning of several resistance determinants of S. ambofaciens, conferring resistance to spiramycin to a strain of S. griseofuscus (spiramycin-sensitive strain) (Pernodet et al., 1993) (Pernodet et al., 1999). To isolate resistance genes, a cosmid library of the genomic DNA of the S. ambofaciens strain ATCC23877 had been made in the cosmid pKC505

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 (Richardson MA et al., 1987). For this, the genomic DNA of the S. ambofaciens ATCC23877 strain had been partially digested with Sau3AI so as to obtain fragments of size between about 30 and 40 kb. The genomic DNA thus digested (3 g) was ligated with 1 g of pKC505 previously digested with the BamHI enzyme (Pernodet et al., 1999). The ligation mixture was then packaged in vitro in phage particles. The phage particles obtained were used to infect the E. coli strain. coli HB101 (available in particular from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) (Manassas, Virginia, USA) under number 33694). About 20,000 clones of E. apramycin-resistant E. coli had been pooled and the cosmids of these clones had been extracted. This cosmid pool was introduced by transformation of protoplasts into S. griseofuscus strain DSM 10191 (Cox KL & Baltz RH, 1984), naturally sensitive to spiramycin (Rao RN et al., 1987, this strain is available especially from from the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, (Braunschweig, Germany), under the number DSM 10191). The transformants were selected on a medium containing apramycin. 1300 clams growing on medium containing apramycin had been transferred to medium containing 5 g / ml of spiramycin. Several apramycin-resistant clones had also grown on spiramycin-containing medium and the cosmids of these colonies had been extracted and used to transform E. coli and S. griseofuscus (Pemodet et al., 1999). Five cosmids capable of conferring resistance to apramycin to E. coli and co-resistance to apramycin and spiramycin in S. griseofuscus were thus obtained. Among these 5 cosmids, it has been determined that a cosmid named pOS44.1 has in its insert a gene (SEQ ID No. 15) which encodes a protein (SEQ ID No. 16) having a certain similarity with a protein coded by the gene. mdmA of Streptomyces mycarofaciens (SEQ ID N 88), this gene was named srmD (see alignment presented in FIG. 26 realized thanks to the FASTA program (cf. (Pearson W. R & DJ Lipman, 1988) and (Pearson WR, 1990), accessible in particular from the INFOBIOGEN resource center, Evry, France).

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 To isolate the resistance determinant contained in plasmid pOS44. 1, which was partially digested with the Sau3AI restriction enzyme so as to obtain fragments of size of about 1.5 to 3 kb, these fragments were ligated into the vector pIJ486 linearized by the enzyme BamHI (Ward et al. al., 1986). A plasmid was selected for its ability to confer spiramycin resistance in S. griseofuscus strain DSM 10191 (Rao RN et al., 1987), naturally sensitive to spiramycin (see above). For this, the plasmid pool corresponding to the Sau3AI fragments of pOS44.1 ligated into the pIJ486 vector (see above), was introduced by transformation of protoplasts into strain DSM 10191 and the transformants were selected for their resistance to thiostrepton (due to the tsr gene carried by pIJ486). Clones growing on medium containing thiostrepton were transferred to medium containing spiramycin. Several thiostrepton resistant clones also grew on spiramycin-containing medium and plasmids from these colonies were extracted. A resistance conferring plasmid containing an insert of about 1.8 kb was selected and named pOS44. 2. This insert of 1. 8kb can be easily extracted thanks to a HindIII site and an EcoRI site present in the vector on either side of the insert. This 1.8kb HindIII-EcoRI insert was sequenced and the resistance gene it contains was named srmD. This fragment containing the srmD gene was thus easily subcloned into the vector pUC19 (access number GenBank M77789) opened by EcoRI-HindIII, the plasmid obtained was named pOS44. 4. The 1.8kb HindIII-EcoRI insert, containing the srmD gene, of this plasmid was used as a probe to locate the spiramycin biosynthetic genes (see below).

 A sample of an Escherichia Coli strain DH5a containing the plasmid pOS44. 4 has been deposited with the National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms (CNCM) Pasteur Institute, 25, rue du Docteur Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, July 10, 2002 under the registration number 1-2918.

 About 2000 clones of the library, obtained above (see Example 1), were transferred to a filter for hybridization on colonies according to standard techniques (Sambrook et al., 1989).

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 The three probes described above were labeled with 32P by the technique of random priming (Kit commercialized by Roche) and used for the hybridization of the 2000 clones of the bank, transferred to filter. Hybridization was performed at 65 ° C in the buffer described by Church & Gilbert (Church & Gilbert, 1984). A washing was carried out in 2X SSC at 65 ° C. for 15 minutes and two successive washes were then carried out in 0.5 × SSC at 65 ° C., with a duration of 15 minutes each. Under these hybridization and washing conditions, 16 of the hybridized 2000 clones had a strong hybridization signal with at least one of the probes. However, no cosmid hybridized with the three probes. The 16 cosmids were extracted and digested with BamHI restriction enzyme. The comparison of the restriction profiles of these different cosmids between them led to the choice of two cosmids likely to contain the longest inserts of the region and having no common bands. Thus two cosmids one named pSPM5 and the other pSPM7 were chosen. The cosmid pSPM5 hybridized with the orf1 probes at orf4 and the or8 probe, but did not hybridize with the srmD probe. pSPM7 hybridized only with the srmD probe and not with the other two probes.

 These two cosmids were completely sequenced by the shotgun sequencing technique. The sequences of the inserts of these two cosmids: pSPM7 and pSPM5 could be assembled because although not overlapping, each of the inserts included a known sequence at one of its ends. Indeed, each of these inserts included a fragment of the sequence of one of the genes encoding an enzyme called polyketide synthase (PKS). These 5 genes were cloned by Burgett S. et al. in 1996 (US Patent 5,945,320) (see Figure 2). Thus, it has been possible to determine a unique genomic DNA sequence of S. ambofaciens. A sequence of 30943 nucleotides starting 5 'from an EcoRI site located in the first PKS gene and going to a 3' BamHI site is presented in SEQ ID No. 1. This sequence corresponds to the upstream region of the genes of the PKS (see Figure 2 and 3). A second region of 11171 nucleotides, starting from a 5 'PstI site and going up to a 3' NcoI site located in the fifth gene of the PKS, is presented in SEQ ID No. 2. This second region is the

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 downstream region of the PKS genes (downstream and upstream being defined by the orientation of the PKS genes all oriented in the same direction) (see Figure 2 and 3).

EXAMPLE 4 Analysis of the Nucleotide Sequences, Determination of the Open Reading Phases and Characterization of the Genes Involved in the Biosynthesis of Spiramycins

orfl2, orfl3c, orfl4, orf]5c, orj76, orfl7, orfl8, orfl9, orflo, or/2 le, orf22c, orf23c, orf24c et orf25c (SEQ ID N 23,25, 28,30, 34,36, 40,43, 45,47, 49,53, 60,62, 64, 66,68, 70,72, 74,76, 78,80, 82 et 84). Les gènes de la région aval ont été nommés

orfl *c, orf2*c, orf3 *c, orf4 *c, or/?*, orf6*, orf7*c, orf8*, or/9* or/70* (SEQ ID N 3, 5,7, 9, 11, 13,15, 17,19 et 21). Le c ajouté dans le nom du gène signifiant pour l'ORF en question que la séquence codante est dans l'orientation inverse (le brin codant est donc le brin complémentaire de la séquence donnée en SEQ ID N 1 ou SEQ ID N 2 pour ces gènes) (cf. figure 3). The sequences obtained were analyzed using the FramePlot program (Ishikawa J & Hotta K. 1999). This made it possible to identify, among the open reading phases, the open reading stages with typical codon usage of Streptomyces. This analysis made it possible to determine that this region comprises 35 ORFs located on either side of five genes encoding the enzyme polyketide synthase (PKS). Respectively 10 and 25 ORFs were identified downstream and upstream of these genes (downstream and upstream being defined by the orientation of the PKS genes all oriented in the same direction) (see Figure 3). Thus, the 25 open reading frames of this type, occupying a region of about 31 kb (SEQ ID N 1 and FIG. 3) were identified upstream of the 5 genes encoding PKS and occupying a region of about 11, 1kb (SEQ ID No. 2 and FIG. 3) were identified downstream of the PKS genes. The genes in the upstream region have been named gold / 7, gold / 2, gold / 3, orf4, orf5, orf6, orf7, orf8, orf9c, or / 70, orfllc,

orf2, orf13c, orf1f, orf1fc, orf76, orf17, orf18, orf19, orf1, orf2c, orf22c, orf23c, orf24c and orf25c (SEQ ID N 23,25, 28,30, 34,36, 40, 43, 45.47, 49.53, 60.62, 64, 66.68, 70.72, 74.76, 78.80, 82 and 84). Genes in the downstream region have been named

## STR1 ## wherein , 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21). The c added in the name of the gene means for the ORF in question that the coding sequence is in the reverse orientation (the coding strand is therefore the complementary strand of the sequence given in SEQ ID N 1 or SEQ ID N 2 for these genes) (see Figure 3).

 The protein sequences deduced from these open reading phases were compared with those present in different databases thanks to different

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 programs: BLAST (Altschul et al., 1990) (Altschul et al., 1997), CD-search, Cluster of Orthologous Groups (COGs) (these three programs are available in particular from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) (Bethesda , Maryland, USA)), FASTA (Pearson W. R & DJ Lipman, 1988) and (Pearson WR, 1990), BEAUTY (Worley KC et al., 1995), (these two programs are accessible in particular from INFOBIOGEN resource center, Evry, France). These comparisons made it possible to formulate hypotheses on the function of the products of these genes and to identify those likely to be involved in spiramycin biosynthesis.

EXAMPLE 5 Gene Inactivation: Principle of the Construction of a Strain of Streptomyces Ambofaciens Interrupted
The methods used consist in performing a gene replacement. The target gene to be interrupted is replaced by a copy of this gene interrupted by a cassette conferring resistance to an antibiotic (for example apramycin or hygromycin), as illustrated in FIG. 9. The cassettes used are lined on the and other by translation termination codons in all reading phases and by active transcription terminators in Streptomyces.

 The insertion of the cassette into the target gene may or may not be accompanied by a deletion in this target gene. The size of the regions flanking the cassette can range from a few hundred to several thousand base pairs.

 The constructs necessary for inactivation of the gene by the cassette were obtained from E. coli, a reference organism for obtaining recombinant DNA constructs. The interrupted gene was obtained in a plasmid replicating in E. coli but unable to replicate in Streptomyces.

 The constructs were then subcloned into vectors to allow transformation and inactivation of the desired gene in S. ambofaciens. For this, two plasmids were used:

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 pOJ260 (Bierman M. et al., 1992) (see Example 2) which confers resistance to apramycin in E. coli and Streptomyces and which was used when the target gene was interrupted by a cassette conferring resistance. with hygromycin.

- pOSK1205 (4726bp). This plasmid derives from the plasmid pBK-CMV (sold by the company Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA)) in which a fragment
April containing the sequence encoding resistance to Neomycin / Kanamycin was replaced by a sequence encoding hygromycin resistance, while retaining the promoter P SV40. For this, the plasmid pHP45- # hyg (Blondelet-
Rouault et al., 1997) was digested with the NotI and PflmI enzymes and the hygromycin resistance conferring fragment was subcloned at the April site of the pBK-CMV vector after all the ends were made end-to-end. Frank by treatment with Klenow's enzyme. In pOSK1205, the cassette that confers hygromycin resistance is preceded by the pSV40 promoter. This plasmid confers hygromycin resistance in E. coli and Streptomyces and was used when the target gene was interrupted by a cassette conferring resistance to apramycin.

 The cassettes were introduced into the target gene either by cloning using restriction sites present in the target gene, or by recombination between short identical sequences as described for example by Chaveroche et al (Chaveroche MK et al., 2000).

 The plasmid carrying the gene interrupted by the cassette can then be introduced into Streptomyces ambofaciens, for example by conjugation between E. coli and Streptomyces (Mazodier P, et al., 1989). This technique was used in the case where the base vector is the vector pOJ260. A second technique can be used: the technique of protoplast transformation after denaturation by alkaline treatment of DNA (Kieser, T et al., 2000), to increase the recombination frequency as described for example by Oh & Chater (Oh & Chater, 1997). This technique was used in the case where the base vector is pOJ260 or pOSK1205 (see below). The transformants are then selected with the antibiotic corresponding to the cassette present in the

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 target gene (see Figure 9, antibiotic B). A mixture of clones from which there has been integration by one or two recombination events is thus selected. In a second step, the antibiotic-sensitive clones for which the resistance gene is present in the vector (outside the recombination cassette) are sought (see FIG. 9, antibiotic A). Clones for which there have been in principle two recombination events leading to the replacement of the wild-type gene by the copy interrupted by the cassette can thus be selected. These steps are shown schematically in Figure 9.

 Several cassettes can be used for the interruption of target genes. For example, the Qhyg cassette which confers resistance to hygromycin may be used (Blondelet-Rouault et al., 1997, GenBank accession number: X99315).

EXAMPLE 6 Construction of a Strain of Streptomyces Ambofaciens Interrupted in Phase in the Gold / 3 Gene
The orf3 gene had been interrupted by the Qhyg cassette (see Example 2.2) and it could be shown that a strain of gold / 3 :: #hyg no longer produces spiramycin, confirming the involvement of one or several genes of the cloned region in spiramycin biosynthesis (see example 2. 2). In view of their orientation, a cotranscription of ORFs 1 to 7 is likely (see Figure 3) and the observed phenotype (non-producer of spiramycins) may be due to the inactivation of one or more genes co-transcribed with gold. / 3. To confirm the involvement of orf3 in the biosynthesis of spiramycins, a new inactivation of the or / 3 gene was performed, the latter being performed in phase.

For this, an internal DraIII fragment at or / 3 of 504 base pairs has been deleted. A DNA fragment obtained from pOS49. 1, from the EcoRI site located at position 1 (SEQ ID No. 1) to the SacI site located at position 5274 (SEQ ID No. 1) and which has a deletion between the two DraIII sites at positions 2563 and 3067 (504 nucleotides removed ) was cloned into plasmid pOJ260 (Bierman M. et al., 1992). The plasmid thus obtained was named pOS49.67.

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 The insert of pOS49. 67 thus consists of an S. ambofaciens DNA fragment containing the orf1, or5, or / 3 genes with in-phase deletion, orf4 and part of orf5.

The vector in which this insert was subcloned is pOJ260, the plasmid pOS49.67 therefore confers resistance to apramycin and was introduced by transformation of protoplasts in the strain OS49.16 (see Example 2). The strain OS49. Since it was resistant to hygromycin, hygR and apraR transformants were obtained. After two passages of such clones on nonselective medium, the clones sensitive to apramycin and hygromycin (apraS and hygS) were searched. In some of these clones, it is indeed expected that a recombination event between homologous sequences lead to the replacement of the copy of orf3 interrupted by the #hyg cassette (contained in the genome of the strain OS49.16) by the copy of gold / 3 with the phase deletion present on the vector. The clones resulting from this recombination are expected as apraS and hygS after the elimination of the vector sequences. The genotype of the strains thus obtained can be verified by hybridization or by PCR and sequencing of the PCR product (to verify that only one copy of gold / 3 deleted in phase is present in the genome of the clones obtained). Clones having only the copy of gold / 3 with a deletion in phase were thus obtained and their genotype was verified. A clone with the desired characteristics was particularly selected and was named OS49. 67.

 A sample of the strain OS49. 67 has been deposited with the National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms (CNCM) Pasteur Institute, 25, rue du Docteur Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, July 10, 2002 under the registration number 1-2916.

EXAMPLE 7 Construction of a Strain of Streptomyces Ambofaciens Interrupted in the Orf8 Gene
To achieve the inactivation of the or / 8 gene, a construct in which the #hyg cassette was introduced into the or / 8 coding sequence was obtained. For that, the

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 plasmid pOS49. 88 was first built. The plasmid pOS49. 88 is derived from plasmid pUC19 (GenBank accession number M77789) by insertion of a 3.7 kb fragment (PstI-EcoRI fragment obtained from cosmid pSPM5), containing the end of gold / 7, or / 8 and the beginning of gold / 9, cloned into the PstI-EcoRI sites of pUC19. The #hyg cassette (as a BamHI fragment, blunted by Klenow enzyme treatment) was cloned at the unique SalI site of pOS49. 88 located in or / 8 after all extremities were made blunt by treatment with Klenow enzyme.

* Cloning being a blunt end, two types of plasmids were obtained according to the direction of insertion of the cassette: pOS49. 106 in which the genes hyg and orf8 are in the same orientation and pOS49. 120 in which the genes hyg and orf8 are in opposite orientations. The insert of plasmid pOS49. 106 was then subcloned into plasmid pOJ260 to give pOS49. 107. For this, the plasmid pOS49. 106 was digested with the enzyme Asp718I and the ends were made blunt by treatment with Klenow enzyme, this digest was redigested by the enzyme PstI and the fragment containing the gene or / 8 in which the cassette #hyg was inserted, was cloned in the vector pOJ260 (see above). For this, the vector pOJ260 was digested with the enzymes EcoRV and PstI and used for ligation. This manipulation thus makes it possible to obtain an oriented ligation since each of the two fragments is frank on one side and PstI on the other. The resulting plasmid was named pOS49.107.

 The plasmid pOS49. 107 was introduced into S. ambofaciens strain ATCC23877 by protoplast transformation (Kieser, T et al., 2000). After transformation of the protoplasts, the clones are selected for their resistance to hygromycin. The hygromycin-resistant clones are then transplanted respectively on medium with hygromycin (antibiotic B) and on medium with apramycin (antibiotic A) (see FIG. 9). The hygromycin-resistant (HygR) and apramycin-sensitive (ApraS) -resistant clones are in principle those where a double crossing-over event has occurred and which have the orf8 gene interrupted by the Qhyg cassette.

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Replacing the wild copy of orf8 with the copy interrupted by the #hyg cassette has been checked by Southern Blot. Thus, the total DNA of the clones obtained was digested with several enzymes, separated on agarose gel, transferred to the membrane and hybridized with a probe corresponding to the Qhyg cassette to check the presence of the cassette in the genomic DNA of the cells. clones obtained. A second hybridization was carried out using as probe the PstI-EcoRI insert containing the end of gold / 7, or / 8 and the beginning of gold / 9 with a size of about 3.7 kb of plasmid pOS49. 88. Verification of the genotype can be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art and in particular by PCR using the appropriate oligonucleotides and sequencing of the PCR product.

 An orj8 :: Qhyg clone was chosen and named OS49.107. A sample of the strain OS49. 107 has been deposited with the National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms (CNCM) Pasteur Institute, 25, rue du Docteur Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, July 10, 2002 under the registration number 1-2917.

EXAMPLE 8 Construction of a Strain of Streptomyces Ambofaciens Interrupted in the Orf10 Gene
A 1.5 kb DNA fragment internal to the or / 70 gene was obtained by PCR using as template the genomic DNA of S. ambofaciens and the following primers: SRMR1: 5 'CTGCCAGTCCTCTCCCAGCAGTACG 3' (SEQ ID N 89) SRMR2: 5 'TGAAGCTGGACGTCTCCTACGTCGG 3' (SEQ ID N 90) This DNA fragment resulting from the PCR was cloned into the vector pCR2.1 sold by the company Invitrogen (Carlsbad, California, USA). The plasmid thus obtained was named pOS49. 32. The Qhyg cassette (in the form of a BamHI fragment, see above) was cloned at the unique internal BstEII site at the orf10 gene fragment, after all the ends were made blunt by Klenow enzyme.

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Cloning being a blunt end, two types of plasmids were obtained according to the direction of insertion of the cassette: pOS49. 43 in which the genes hyg and or / 70 are in the same orientation and pOS49. 44 in which the genes hyg and or / 10 are in opposite orientations. The insert of plasmid pOS49. 43 was transferred (as an Asp718I-XbaI fragment whose ends were made blunt by treatment with Klenow enzyme) in the EcoRV site of plasmid pOJ260 which made it possible to obtain the plasmid pOS49. 50. The plasmid pOS49. 50 containing the fragment of the orf10 gene interrupted by the Qhyg cassette was introduced into Streptomyces ambofaciens strain ATCC23877. After transformation, the clones are selected for their resistance to hygromycin. The hygromycin-resistant clones are then transplanted respectively on medium with hygromycin (antibiotic B) and on medium with apramycin (antibiotic A) (see FIG. 9). The hygromycin-resistant (HygR) and apramycin-sensitive (ApraS) -resistant clones are in principle those where a double crossing-over event has occurred and which have the orflO gene interrupted by the Qhyg cassette. Clones which possessed the hygromycin resistance marker carried by the cassette and which had lost the apramycin resistance marker carried by the vector pOJ260 were thus obtained. The replacement event of the wild copy of gold / 70 by the interrupted copy orflO :: Qhyg has been verified by Southern Blot. Thus, the total genomic DNA of the clones obtained was digested with several enzymes, separated on agarose gel, transferred to the membrane and hybridized with a probe corresponding to the #hyg cassette to check the presence of the cassette in the DNA. genomic clones obtained. A second hybridization was carried out using as probe the 1.5 kb PCR product internal to the orf10 gene (see above).

 A clone with the expected characteristics (orf10 :: # hyg) was specifically selected and named OS49.50. It has indeed been possible to verify, thanks to the two hybridizations, that the Qhyg cassette was indeed present in the genome of this clone and that the expected digestion profile is obtained in the case of a replacement, following a double recombination event of the wild-type gene by the copy interrupted by the Qhyg cassette in the genome of this clone. Verification of

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 genotype can also be performed by any method known to those skilled in the art and in particular by PCR using the appropriate oligonucleotides and sequencing of the PCR product.

EXAMPLE 9 Inactivation of Genes: Principle of the Construction of an Streptomyces Ambofaciens Strain Interrupted by the Technique of Excisable Cassettes (see FIGS. 9 and 10)
A second type of cassette can be used for the inactivation of genes: cassettes called excisable cassettes. These cassettes have the advantage of being excised in Streptomyces by a site-specific recombination event after being introduced into the S. ambofaciens genome. The goal is to inactivate certain genes in Streptomyces strains without leaving in the final strain of selection markers or large DNA sequences not belonging to the strain.

After excision there remains only a short sequence of about thirty base pairs (called scarred site) in the genome of the strain (see Figure 10).

 The implementation of this system consists, first of all, in the replacement of the wild-type copy of the target gene (by virtue of two homologous recombination events, see FIG. 9) by a construction in which an excisable cassette has been inserted in this system. target gene. The insertion of this cassette is accompanied by a deletion in the target gene (see Figure 9). In a second step, the excision of the excisable cassette of the genome of the strain is caused. The excisable cassette operates by means of a site-specific recombination system and has the advantage of allowing the production of mutants of Streptomyces not ultimately carrying a resistance gene. It also avoids possible polar effects on the expression of genes located downstream of the inactivated gene (s) (see Figure 10).

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 The use of excisable cassettes has been described and used in many organisms including mammalian, yeast and E. coli cells (Bayley et al., 1992, Brunelli and Pall, 1993, Camilli et al., 1994; and Ow, 1991, Russell et al., 1992, Lakso et al., 1992). These excisable cassettes all use the Cre site-specific recombinase acting on the lox sites. This recombination system comes from the bacteriophage PI.

 For the construction of a Streptomyces excisable cassette-type system, the site-specific recombination system described for the Streptomyces ambofaciens mobile genetic element pSAM2 was used (Boccard et al., 1989a and b). The implemented system consists first of all in constructing a recombinant vector comprising the gene to be interrupted into which an excisable cassette is inserted. Insertion into the target gene of the excisable cassette is accompanied by a deletion in the target gene. It can be performed by cloning using restriction sites present in the target gene or by recombination between short identical sequences as described for example by Chaveroche et al (Chaveroche MK et al., 2000). The excisable cassette can be constructed using, for example, the Qhyg cassette (Blondelet Rouault et al., 1997). This cassette was bordered by attR and attL sequences that normally flank the integrated copy of pSAM2 (see Figure 15). The attL and attR sequences contain all the sites necessary for site specific recombination allowing the excision of pSAM2 or any DNA fragment located between these two regions (Sezonov et al., 1997, Raynal et al., 1998). The construction of such a cassette is obviously not limited to the use of a cassette Qhyg, but other cassettes of resistors can serve as a basis for the construction of this cassette (for example the cassette #aac or Qvph ( Blondelet Rouault et al., 1997)).

 After obtaining this construct, the Streptomyces strain is transformed with the recombinant plasmid. The transformants are then selected with the antibiotic corresponding to the cassette present in the target gene (see FIG. 9, antibiotic B, it is for example a selection by hygromycin if the excisable cassette derives from the Qhyg cassette. ). A mixture of clones from which there has been integration by one or two recombination events is thus selected.

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In a second step, the antibiotic-sensitive clones for which the resistance gene is present in the vector (outside the recombination cassette) are sought (see FIG. 9, antibiotic A). It is thus possible to select the clones for which, in principle, there have been two recombination events leading to the replacement of the wild-type gene by the copy interrupted by the cassette. These steps are shown schematically in Figure 9, the genotype of the clones thus obtained is verified by Southern blot and a strain having the desired characteristics (the replacement of the wild-type gene by the copy interrupted by the excisable cassette) is selected.

 In a second step, the strain selected above is transformed by a plasmid allowing the expression of the xis and int genes which are both necessary for site-specific recombination between the attR and attL sites. This recombination leads to the departure of the excisable cassette from the genome of the strain, thanks to a recombination event (see FIG. 10) (Raynal et al., 1998). It is interesting to choose the vector carrying the genes xis and int among the relatively unstable vectors in Streptomyces (for example derived from the vector Streptomyces pWHM3, (Vara et al., 1989)), this makes it possible to obtain a strain having lost the latter. vector after a few cycles of sporulation in the absence of selection pressure.

 To excise the cassette, it is possible, for example, to use the plasmid pOSV508 (FIG. 14), which is introduced by transformation of protoplasts into the S. ambofaciens strain containing a gene interrupted by the excisable cassette. The plasmid pOSV508 is derived from the plasmid pWHM3 (Vara J et al., 1989) (see FIG. 13) in which the xis and int genes of pSAM2 (Boccard F. et al., 1989b) placed under the control of ptrc promoter (Amann, E. et al., 1988). The xis and int genes placed under the control of the ptrc promoter were subcloned in the plasmid pWHM3 from the plasmid pOSint3 (Raynal et al., 1998) (see FIG. 14). The introduction into the mutant strain of plasmid pOSV508 carrying the xis and int genes of pSAM2 will allow efficient excision by site-specific recombination of the excisable cassette between the attL and attR sites flanking this cassette (Raynal A. et al. 1998) (Figure 10). Of the transformants selected for their thiostrepton resistance due to the tsr gene carried by

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 pOSV508, one chooses those become sensitive to the antibiotic to which the presence of the cassette confers the resistance (cf figure 10). Excision is effective and it has been observed that more than 90% of the transformants are of this type. After one or more cycles of growth and sporulation on a solid medium devoid of thiostrepton, clones having lost the plasmid pOSV508 are obtained. These clones are identifiable by their sensitivity to thiostrepton. The sequence of the deleted target gene can be verified by PCR and sequencing of the PCR product.

 Finally, the resulting strain carries at the level of the inactivated gene (internal deletion, for example) a scar scar site corresponding to the minimal attB site (Raynal et al., 1998), resulting from the recombination between the attR and attL sites. This remaining minimal attB site is similar to that found naturally in strains of Streptomyces ambofaciens, Streptomyces pristinaespiralis and Streptomyces lividans (Sezonov et al., 1997).

 The gene that one wants to inactivate can be cotranscribed with other genes located downstream. To prevent the inactivation of one gene from having a polar effect on downstream gene expression in the operon, it is important to obtain a phase deletion after excision of the cassette. The system of excisable cassettes as described above makes it possible to meet such a requirement. Those skilled in the art may, in fact, easily construct three distinct excisable cassettes, these leaving after excision a sequence of 33, 34 or 35 nucleotides respectively, without a stop codon whatever the reading phase. Knowing the sequence of the target gene and the size of the deletion associated with the insertion of the cassette, it is possible to choose between these three excisable cassettes so that the excision leads to an in-phase deletion. Of the 33,34 or 35 nucleotides added, 26 correspond to the minimal attB sequence (see Figure 27).

 In the case of the present application, two excisable cassettes were used. These two cassettes are the following: att1 # hyg + (SEQ ID N 91) and att3Qaac- (SEQ ID N 92), these cassettes leave respectively 33 and 35 nucleotides after excision. They include the Qhyg cassette or the Qaac cassette respectively, the + signs and corresponding to the orientation of the resistance cassette. These two cassettes were

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 constructed and cloned at the EcoRV site of the pBC SK + vector whose HindIII site was previously deleted. The resulting plasmids were named patt1 # hyg + and patt3Qaac- respectively. The excisable cassettes can easily be removed by digestion of the plasmid with EcoRV.

EXAMPLE 10 Construction of a Strain of Streptomyces Ambofaciens Interrupted in the Orf2 Gene
Inactivation of the orf2 gene was performed using the excisable cassettes technique (see above). The starting strain used is the strain Streptomyces ambofaciens OSC2 which derives from strain ATCC23877. However, strain OSC2 differs from strain ATCC23877 in that it lost the mobile genetic element pSAM2 (Boccard et al., 1989a and b). This mobile element can be lost spontaneously during protoplastization (action of lysozyme to digest the bacterial wall and fragment mycelium (Kieser et al., 2000)) and regeneration of protoplasts of strain ATCC23877. To select the clones having lost the pSAM2 element, a screen was put in place, based on the repression of the genepra by the KorSA transcription repressor (Sezonov et al., 1995) (Sezonov G. et al., 2000) .

For this, a DNA fragment containing the promoter of the pra gene placed upstream of the aph gene (conferring resistance to kanamycin and devoid of its own promoter) was cloned into the unstable vector pWHM3Hyg, the latter derived from the plasmid pWHM3 ( Vara et al., 1989) in which the tsr gene has been replaced by the hyg gene (conferring resistance to hygromycin). The plasmid thus obtained was named pOSV510. The strain ATCC23877 was transformed after protoplastisation with the plasmid pOSV510. The Pra promoter is a promoter repressed by the KorSA repressor, the gene encoding the latter being located within the mobile element pSAM2 (Sezonov G. et al., 2000). After transformation with the plasmid pOSV510, the transformed bacteria are selected for their resistance to kanamycin (due to the aph gene carried by pOSV510). Clones having lost the integrative element pSAM2 have lost the KorSA repressor and the Pra promoter is no longer repressed and allows the expression of the

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 kanamycin resistance gene aph. Selection by kanamycin after transformation with the plasmid pOSV510 thus makes it possible to select the clones having lost the integrative element pSAM2 (and thus KorSA) and possessing the plasmid pOSV510.

Plasmid pOSV510 being unstable, after a few antibiotic-free sporulation cycles, isolated clones are subcultured on medium with kanamycin, on medium with hygromycin and on medium without antibiotic. Clones sensitive to kanamycin and hygromycin lost pOSV510. The loss of the pSAM2 element was verified by hybridization and PCR. A clone with the desired characteristics was selected and was named OSC2.

 A sample of the OSC2 strain has been deposited with the National Collection of Microorganism Cultures (CNCM) Pasteur Institute, 25, rue du Docteur Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, July 10, 2002 under the registration number I-2908 .

 The inactivation of the or / 2 gene was carried out using the technique of excisable cassettes (see above and FIG. 10). For this, a 4.5 kb insert whose sequence starts from the EcoRI site located in position 1 to the BamHI site located at position 4521 (SEQ ID No. 1) was subcloned at the EcoRI and BamHI sites of the plasmid. pUC19 (GenBank access number M77789) from the cosmid pSPM5. The plasmid thus obtained was named pOS49.99.

 This plasmid was introduced into the E. coli strain KS272 which already contained the plasmid pKOBEG (Chaveroche et al., 2000) (see FIG. 12).

 In parallel, the excisable cassette att3Qaac- (SEQ ID No. 92, see above) was amplified by PCR using the plasmid pOSK1102 as template (The plasmid pOSK1102 is a plasmid derived from the vector pGP704Not (Chaveroche et al., 2000) (Miller VL & Mekalanos JJ, 1988) in which the att3Qaac- cassette was cloned as an EcoRV fragment into the unique EcoRV site of pGP704Not) and using the following primers:

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ORF2A 5 'CCCGCGCGGCAGCCTCTCCGTGATCGAGTCCGGCGTGACCATCGCGCGCGCTTCGTTCGG-3' (SEQ ID N 93) ORF2B 5 'GCTCCGTGCGTCATGCAGGAAGGTGTCGTAGTCGCGGTAGATCTGCCTCTTCGTCCCGA-3' (SEQ ID N 94)
The 40 deoxy nucleotides located at the 5 'end of these oligonucleotides comprise a sequence corresponding to a sequence in the target gene (orj2 in the present case) and the 3' most deoxy-nucleotides located (shown in bold). above) correspond to the sequence of one end of the excisable cassette att3Qaac- (see Figure 11).

The PCR product thus obtained was used to transform the E. coli strain containing plasmids pKOBEG and pOS49. 99 as described (Chaveroche et al., 2000) (see Figure 12). Thus, the bacteria were transformed by electroporation and selected for their resistance to apramycin. The plasmids of the clones obtained were extracted and digested with several restriction enzymes, with the aim of verifying that the obtained digestion profile corresponds to the expected profile if there was insertion of the cassette (att3Qaac-) into the target gene ( or / 2), ie if there was indeed homologous recombination between the ends of the PCR product and the target gene (Chaveroche et al., 2000). Verification of the construction can also be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art and in particular by PCR using the appropriate oligonucleotides and sequencing of the PCR product. A clone whose plasmid has the expected profile was selected and the corresponding plasmid was named pSPM17. This plasmid derives from pOS49. 99 in which orf2 is interrupted by the apramycin cassette (see Figure 12).

The insertion of the cassette is accompanied by a deletion in or2 between nucleotides 211 and 492 of the coding part of or2.

The plasmid pSPM17 was digested with the enzyme EcoRI and then the ends were made blunt by treatment with Klenow enzyme, this digestion product was then digested with the enzyme XbaI and the insert containing the gene orf2 deleted. was cloned into the vector pOSK1205 (see above). For this purpose, the vector pOSK1205 was digested with the BamHI enzyme and then the ends were made blunt by treatment with

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 the Klenow enzyme, this product was then digested with the enzyme XbaI, and used for ligation with the insert obtained from pSPM17 as above. This manipulation therefore makes it possible to obtain an oriented ligation since each of the two fragments is frank on one side and XbaI on the other. The plasmid thus obtained was named pSPM21, it carries a hygromycin resistance gene (vector part) and an insert in which the deleted orf2 gene is replaced by the att3Qaac- cassette.

 The vector pSPM21 was introduced into the strain Streptomyces ambofaciens OSC2 (see above) by protoplast transformation (Kieser, T et al., 2000). After transformation, the clones are selected for their resistance to apramycin The apramycin-resistant clones are then subcultured respectively on medium with apramycin (antibiotic B) and on medium with hygromycin (antibiotic A) (see FIG. 9). The apramycin-resistant (ApraR) and hygromycin-sensitive (HygS) -resistant clones are in principle those where a double crossing-over event has occurred and which have the or / 2 gene interrupted by the att3 # aac- . These clones were selected and the replacement of the wild copy of orf2 by the copy interrupted by the cassette was verified. The presence of the att3Qaac- cassette was verified by colony PCR. Hybridization was also performed. For this, the total DNA of the clones obtained, was digested with several enzymes, separated on agarose gel, transferred to the membrane and hybridized with a 3 kb probe corresponding to an EcoRI-BamHI fragment of the insert of plasmid pOS49. .99 (see above). Verification of the genotype can also be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art and in particular by PCR using the appropriate oligonucleotides and sequencing of the PCR product.

 A clone with the expected characteristics was selected and named SPM21. It has been verified by PCR and hybridization that the att3 # aac- cassette was indeed present in the genome of this clone and that the expected digestion profile is obtained in the case of a replacement, as a result of a double recombination event, the wild-type gene by the copy interrupted by the att3Qaac- cassette in the genome of this clone. This clone therefore has the genotype: orf2 :: att3 # aac-.

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 A sample of strain SPM21 has been deposited with the National Collection of Microorganism Cultures (CNCM) Pasteur Institute, 25, rue du Docteur Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, July 10, 2002 under the registration number I-2914 .

 The strain SPM21 was transformed by the vector pOSV508 by transformation of protoplasts in order to excise the cassette (see FIG. 14). The plasmid pOSV508 is derived from the plasmid pWHM3 (Vara J et al., 1989) (see FIG. 13) in which the genes xis and int of pSAM2 (Boccard F. et al., 1989b) placed under control were added. ptrc promoter (Amann, E. et al., 1988) (see Figure 14). The introduction into the SPM21 strain of plasmid pOSV508 carrying the xis and int genes of pSAM2 allows the efficient excision by site-specific recombination of the excisable cassette between the attL and attR sites flanking this cassette (Raynal A. et al., 1998). ) (Figure 10).

Among the transformants selected for their thiostrepton resistance due to the tsr gene carried by pOSV508, those which have become sensitive to apramycin whose resistance gene is carried by the att3 # aac- cassette are chosen, the excision in fact causes the loss of this resistance gene (see Figure 10). The plasmid pOSV508 is unstable and after two successive passages on medium without antibiotic isolated clones are subcultured on medium with thiostrepton and medium without thiostrepton. Thiostrepton-sensitive clones lost pOSV508. It has been verified that the excision of the cassette results in an in-phase deletion in the orf2 gene by PCR and sequencing of the PCR product, the excision of the cassette leaves indeed a characteristic scarring sequence att3 (which is similar to the site). original attB after recombination between attL and attR sites): 5 'ATCGCGCGCGCTTCGTTCGGGACGAAGAGGTAGAT 3' (SEQ ID NO: 95).

The strain thus obtained and having the desired genotype (orf2 :: att3) was named SPM22.

 A sample of the strain SPM22 has been deposited with the National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms (CNCM) Institut Pasteur, 25, rue du Docteur Roux

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 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, July 10, 2002 under the registration number I-2915.

EXAMPLE 11 Construction of a Strain of Streptomyces Ambofaciens Interrupted in the Orfl2 Gene
For the inactivation of gold / 12, orf13c and orf1, the same starting plasmid (pSPM504) was used to introduce at different positions an excisable cassette type cassette. This plasmid has a 15.1 kb insert that corresponds to the region from or / 7 to orf17. To construct this plasmid a 15.1 kb BglII fragment from the digestion of cosmid pSPM7 (see above) was cloned into the plasmid pMBL18 (Nakano et al., 1995) digested with BamHI. The BamHI and BglII ends being compatible, the plasmid pSPM502 is obtained after ligation. The entire pSPM502 insert was then subcloned (as a HindIII / NheI fragment) into the plasmid pOSK1205 (digested with HindIII / NheI), which made it possible to obtain the plasmid pSPM504.

 This plasmid was introduced into the E. coli strain KS272 which already contained the plasmid pKOBEG (Chaveroche et al., 2000) (see FIG. 12).

 In parallel, the excisable cassette att3Qaac- was amplified by PCR using the plasmid pOSK1102 as a template (the plasmid pOSK1 102 is a plasmid derived from the pGP704Not vector (Chaveroche et al., 2000) (Miller VL & Mekalanos JJ, 1988) in wherein the att3 # aac- cassette was cloned as an EcoRV fragment into the unique EcoRV site of pGP704Not), the primers used are as follows: EDR8: 5 'CGGGATGATCGCTTGTCCGGCGGCCGGATGCCTAGCCTCATCGCGCGCGCTTCGTTCGG 3' (SEQ ID N 96)

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EDR9: 5 'CCCGATCCAGAACGTCTGGTCGGTGATCAGGTCGCTGTTCATCTGCCTCTTCGTCCCGAA 3' (SEQ ID N 97)
The 40 (only 39 for EDR8) deoxy nucleotides located at the 5 'end of these oligonucleotides have a sequence corresponding to a sequence in the target gene (or / 72 in this case) and the deoxynucleotides located the most in 3 '(shown in bold above) correspond to the sequence of one end of the excisable cassette att3Qaac- (see Figure 11).

 The PCR product thus obtained was used to transform the E. coli KS272 strain containing the plasmids pKOBEG and pSPM504 (cf above), as described by Chaveroche et al. (Chaveroche et al., 2000) (see Figure 12 for the principle, the plasmid pOS49.99 must be replaced by the plasmid pSPM504 and the plasmid obtained is no longer pSPM17 but pSPM507). Thus, the bacteria were transformed by electroporation with this PCR product and the clones were selected for their resistance to apramycin. The plasmids of the clones obtained were extracted and digested with several restriction enzymes, with the aim of verifying that the obtained digestion profile corresponds to the expected profile if there was insertion of the cassette (att3Qaac-) into the target gene ( orf12), ie if there was indeed homologous recombination between the ends of the PCR product and the target gene (Chaveroche et al., 2000). Verification of the construction can also be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art and in particular by PCR using the appropriate oligonucleotides and sequencing of the PCR product. A clone whose plasmid has the expected profile was selected and the corresponding plasmid was named pSPM507. This plasmid derives from pSPM504 in which /12 is interrupted by the att3Qaac- cassette (see FIG. 12). The insertion of the cassette is accompanied by a deletion in the orfl2 gene, the interruption begins at the thirtieth codon of orfl2. There remains after the cassette the last 46 codons of gold / 12.

 The vector pSPM507 was introduced into the strain Streptomyces ambofaciens OSC2 (see above) by protoplast transformation (Kieser, T et al., 2000). After

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 transformation, the clones are selected for their resistance to apramycin. The apramycin-resistant clones are then subcultured respectively on medium with apramycin (antibiotic B) and on medium with hygromycin (antibiotic A) (see FIG. 9). The apramycin-resistant (ApraR) and hygromycin-sensitive (HygS) -resistant clones are in principle those where a double crossing-over event has occurred and which have the orfl2 gene interrupted by the att3Qaac- cassette. These clones were more particularly selected and the replacement of the wild copy of orfl2 by the copy interrupted by the cassette was verified by hybridization. Thus, the total DNA of the clones obtained, was digested with several enzymes, separated on agarose gel, transferred to the membrane and hybridized with a probe corresponding to the cassette att3Qaac- to check the presence of the cassette in the genomic DNA. clones obtained. A second hybridization was carried out using as probe a DNA fragment obtained by PCR and corresponding to a very large part of the coding sequence of the orf12 gene.

Verification of the genotype can also be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art and in particular by PCR using the appropriate oligonucleotides and sequencing of the PCR product.

possède donc le génotype : orfl2::att3s2aac- et a été nommé SPM507. Il est inutile de procéder à l'excision de la cassette pour l'étude de l'effet de l'inactivation de orfl2, au vu de l'orientation des gènes (cf. figure 3). En effet, le fait que orf13c soit orienté en sens opposé à orfl2 montre que ces gènes ne sont pas co-transcrits. L'utilisation d'une cassette excisable permet en revanche d'avoir la possibilité de se débarrasser du marqueur de sélection à tout moment, notamment par transformation par le plasmide pOSV508. Un échantillon de la souche SPM507 a été déposé auprès de la Collection A clone with the expected characteristics (orfl2 :: att3SZaac-) was more particularly selected and named SPM507. It could indeed be verified by means of the two hybridizations that the att3 # aac- cassette was indeed present in the genome of this clone and that the expected digestion profile is obtained in the case of a replacement, following a double recombination event, the wild-type gene by the copy interrupted by the att3Qaac- cassette in the genome of this clone. This clone

therefore has the genotype: orfl2 :: att3s2aac- and has been named SPM507. There is no need to excise the cassette for the study of the effect of the inactivation of orfl2, given the orientation of the genes (see Figure 3). Indeed, the fact that orf13c is oriented in the opposite direction to orfl2 shows that these genes are not co-transcribed. The use of an excisable cassette makes it possible, on the other hand, to be able to get rid of the selection marker at any time, in particular by transformation with the plasmid pOSV508. A sample of strain SPM507 has been deposited with the Collection

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 National Microorganism Cultures (CNCM) Pasteur Institute, 25, rue du Docteur Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, July 10, 2002 under the registration number 1-2911.

EXAMPLE 12 Construction of a Strain of Streptomyces Ambofaciens Interrupted in the Orfl3c Gene
The excisable cassette att3Qaac- was amplified by PCR using as template the plasmid pOSK1102 (see above) using the following primers: EDR3: 5 'ACCGGGGCGGTCCTCCCCTCCGGGGCGTCACGGCCGCGGAATCTGCCTCTTCGTCCCGAA 3' (SEQ ID N 98) EDR4: 5 'CACGCAGCGAGCCGACGCACTGATGGACGACACGATGGCCATCGCGCGCGCTTCGTTCGG 3 '(SEQ ID N 99)
The 40 deoxy nucleotides located at the 5 'end of these oligonucleotides comprise a sequence corresponding to a sequence in the target gene (orf13c in the present case) and the 3' most deoxy-nucleotides (shown in bold). above) correspond to the sequence of one end of the att3Qaac- excisable cassette (see FIG. 11).

 The PCR product thus obtained was used to transform E. coli strain KS272 containing plasmids pKOBEG and pSPM504 (see above), as described by Chaveroche et al. (Chaveroche et al., 2000) (see Figure 12 for the principle, the plasmid pOS49.99 must be replaced by the plasmid pSPM504 and the plasmid obtained is no longer pSPM17 but pSPM508). Thus, the bacteria were transformed by electroporation with the PCR product and the clones were selected for their resistance to apramycin. The plasmids of the clones obtained were extracted and digested with several restriction enzymes, in order to verify that the digestion profile obtained corresponds to the expected profile if there was insertion of the cassette (att3Qaac-) into the gene.

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 target (orf13c), that is to say whether there has been homologous recombination between the ends of the PCR product and the target gene (Chaveroche et al., 2000). Verification of the construction can also be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art and in particular by PCR using the appropriate oligonucleotides and sequencing of the PCR product. A clone whose plasmid has the expected profile was selected and the corresponding plasmid was named pSPM508. This plasmid derives from pSPM504 in which orf13c is interrupted by the apramycin cassette (see FIG. The insertion of the cassette is accompanied by a deletion in the orfl3c gene, the interruption begins at the sixth codon of orfl3c. There remains after the cassette the last 3 codons of orfl3c.

 The vector pSPM508 was introduced into the strain Streptomyces ambofaciens OSC2 (see above) by protoplast transformation (Kieser, T et al., 2000). After transformation, the clones are selected for their resistance to apramycin. The apramycin-resistant clones are then subcultured respectively on medium with apramycin (antibiotic B) and on medium with hygromycin (antibiotic A) (see FIG. 9). The apramycin-resistant (ApraR) and hygromycin-sensitive (HygS) -resistant clones are in principle those where a double crossing-over event has occurred and which have the orfl3c gene interrupted by the att3Qaac- cassette. These clones were more particularly selected and the replacement of the wild copy of orfl3c by the copy interrupted by the cassette was verified by hybridization. Thus, the total DNA of the clones obtained, was digested with several enzymes, separated on agarose gel, transferred to the membrane and hybridized with a probe corresponding to the cassette att3Qaac- to check the presence of the cassette in the genomic DNA. clones obtained. A second hybridization was carried out using as probe a PCR product corresponding to a sequence overflowing a hundred base pairs upstream and downstream of the coding sequence of orf13c. Verification of the genotype can also be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art and in particular by PCR using the appropriate oligonucleotides and sequencing of the PCR product.

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Un clone présentant les caractéristiques attendues (orfl3c::att3Qaac-) a été plus particulièrement sélectionné et nommé SPM508. Il a pu en effet être vérifié grâce aux deux hybridations que la cassette att3Qaac- était bien présente dans le génome de ce clone et que l'on obtient bien le profil de digestion attendu dans le cas d'un remplacement, à la suite d'un double événement de recombinaison, du gène sauvage par la copie interrompue par la cassette att3Qaac- dans le génome de ce clone. Ce clone

possède donc le génotype : orfl3c::att3P,.aac- et a été nommé SPM508. Il est inutile de procéder à l'excision de la cassette pour l'étude de l'effet de l'inactivation de orfl3c, au vu de l'orientation des gènes (cf. figure 3), le fait que orfl4 soit orienté en sens opposé à orfl3c montre que ces gènes ne sont pas co-transcrits. L'utilisation d'une cassette excisable permet en revanche d'avoir la possibilité de se débarrasser du marqueur de sélection à tout moment. Un échantillon de la souche SPM508 a été déposé auprès de la Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes (CNCM) Institut Pasteur, 25, rue du Docteur Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, le 10 juillet 2002 sous le numéro d'enregistrement 1-2912.

A clone with the expected characteristics (orfl3c :: att3Qaac-) was more particularly selected and named SPM508. It has indeed been possible to verify, thanks to the two hybridizations, that the att3Qaac- cassette was indeed present in the genome of this clone and that the expected digestion profile is obtained in the case of a replacement, as a result of a double recombination event of the wild-type gene by the copy interrupted by the att3Qaac- cassette in the genome of this clone. This clone

therefore has the genotype: orfl3c :: att3P, .aac- and has been named SPM508. There is no need to excise the cassette to study the effect of the inactivation of orfl3c, in view of the orientation of the genes (see Figure 3), the fact that orfl4 is oriented in the direction of opposite to orfl3c shows that these genes are not co-transcribed. Using an excisable cassette, however, allows you to get rid of the selection marker at any time. A sample of the SPM508 strain has been deposited with the National Collection of Microorganism Cultures (CNCM) Pasteur Institute, 25, rue du Docteur Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, July 10, 2002 under the registration number 1-2912 .

EXAMPLE 13 Construction of a Strain of Streptomyces Ambofaciens Interrupted in the Orfl4 Gene
The excisable cassette att3Qaac- was amplified by PCR using as template the plasmid pOSK1102 (see above) using the following primers: EDR5: 5'GGGCGTGAAGCGGGCGAGTGTGGATGTCATGCGAGTACTCATCGCGCGCGCTTCGTTCGG 3 '(SEQ ID NO 100) EDR6: 5'CGGGAAACGGCGTCGCACTCCTCGGGGGCCGCGTCAGCCCATCTGCCTCTTCGTCCCGAA 3 '(SEQ ID N 101)

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The 40 deoxy nucleotides at the 5 'end of these oligonucleotides have a sequence corresponding to a sequence in the target gene (gold / 74 in this case) and the 3' most deoxy nucleotides (shown in FIG. bold above) correspond to the sequence of one end of the att3Qaac- excisable cassette (see Figure 11).

 The PCR product thus obtained was used to transform E. coli strain KS272 containing plasmids pKOBEG and pSPM504 (see above), as described by Chaveroche et al. (Chaveroche et al., 2000) (see Figure 12 for the principle, the plasmid pOS49.99 must be replaced by the plasmid pSPM504 and the plasmid obtained is no longer pSPM17 but pSPM509). Thus, the bacteria were transformed by electroporation with the PCR product and the clones were selected for their resistance to apramycin. The plasmids of the clones obtained were extracted and digested with several restriction enzymes, with the aim of verifying that the obtained digestion profile corresponds to the expected profile if there was insertion of the cassette (att3Qaac-) into the target gene ( orfl4), ie if there was indeed homologous recombination between the ends of the PCR product and the target gene (Chaveroche et al., 2000). Verification of the construction can also be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art and in particular by PCR using the appropriate oligonucleotides and sequencing of the PCR product. A clone whose plasmid has the expected profile was selected and the corresponding plasmid was named pSPM509. This plasmid derives from pSPM504 in which orf14 is interrupted by the apramycin cassette (see FIG. The insertion of the cassette is accompanied by a deletion in the orfl4 gene, the interruption begins at the fourth codon of orfl4. There remains after the cassette the last codon of orfl4.

 The vector pSPM509 was introduced into the strain Streptomyces ambofaciens OSC2 (see above) by protoplast transformation (Kieser, T et al., 2000). After transformation, the clones are selected for their resistance to apramycin. The apramycin-resistant clones are then subcultured respectively on medium with apramycin (antibiotic B) and on medium with hygromycin (antibiotic A) (see FIG. 9). Apramycin-resistant clones (ApraR) and hygromycin-sensitive clones (HygS)

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are in principle those where a double crossing event has occurred and which have the orfl4 gene interrupted by the att3Qaac- cassette. These clones were more particularly selected and the replacement of the wild copy of orfl4 by the copy interrupted by the cassette was verified by hybridization. Thus, the total DNA of the clones obtained, was digested with several enzymes, separated on agarose gel, transferred to membrane and hybridized with a probe corresponding to the cassette att3 # aac- to check the presence of the cassette in the Genomic DNA of the clones obtained. A second hybridization was carried out using as probe a PCR product corresponding to a sequence overflowing a hundred base pairs upstream and downstream of the orf19 coding sequence. Verification of the genotype can also be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art and in particular by PCR using the appropriate oligonucleotides and sequencing of the PCR product.

A clone with the expected characteristics (orfl4 .: att3d2aac-) was more particularly selected and named SPM509. It has indeed been possible to verify, thanks to the two hybridizations, that the att3Qaac- cassette was indeed present in the genome of this clone and that the expected digestion profile is obtained in the case of a replacement, as a result of a double recombination event of the wild-type gene by the copy interrupted by the att3Qaac- cassette in the genome of this clone. This clone therefore has the genotype: orf14 :: att3 # aac- and has been named SPM509. There is no need to excise the cassette to study the effect of the inactivation of orfl4, given the orientation of the genes (see Figure 3), the fact that orf15c is oriented in the direction of opposite to orfl4 shows that these genes are not co-transcribed. Using an excisable cassette, however, allows you to get rid of the selection marker at any time. A sample of the SPM509 strain has been deposited with the National Collection of Microorganism Cultures (CNCM) Pasteur Institute, 25, rue du Docteur Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, July 10, 2002 under the registration number 1-2913 .

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EXAMPLE 14 Construction of a Strain of Streptomyces Ambofaciens Interrupted in the Orf6 Gene
The inactivation of the orf6 * gene was performed using the excisable cassettes technique (see above and FIG. 10). For this, the cosmid pSPM7 was used as a template to amplify a fragment of the orf6 * gene by virtue of the following oligonucleotides: C9583: 5 'CTGCAGGTGCTCCAGCGCGTCGATCT 3' (trace oligo) (SEQ ID No. 102) C9584: 5 'CTGCAGACGGAGGCGGACCTGCGGCT 3' (oligo antisense) (SEQ ID NO: 103)
The deoxy nucleotides located at the 3 'end of these oligonucleotides correspond to a sequence located in the coding part of the orf6 * gene (SEQ ID No. 13) and the 6 most deoxy-nucleotides located in 5' correspond to the sequence a PstI site to facilitate cloning later. The amplified DNA fragment is about 1.11 kb in size. This PCR product is cloned into the vector pGEM-T Easy (marketed by the company Promega (Madison, Wisconcin, USA)), which made it possible to obtain the plasmid named pBXL 111 (see FIG. 16).

excisable attl2hyg+ a été préparée à partir du plasmide pattlS2hyg+ (cf. ci-dessus) par digestion de ce plasmide par EcoRV. Cette dernière a ensuite été sous-clonée dans le vecteur pBXLl 111 préalablement préparé comme décrit ci-dessus (digestion SmaI et Asp718I puis traitement à l' enzyme de Klenow). Le plasmide obtenu a été nommé The excisable cassette att1 # hyg + was then introduced into the coding sequence of the orf6 * gene. For this, the plasmid pBXL1111 was digested with the restriction enzymes SmaI and Asp718I and the digestion product was treated with Klenow enzyme. This manipulation makes it possible to carry out an internal deletion of 120 bp in the coding sequence of the orf6 * gene (see FIG. In addition, on either side of the restriction sites, 511 bp and 485 bp of the orf6 * sequence remain, which will allow homologous recombination for the inactivation of the orf6 * gene. The tape

excisable attl2hyg + was prepared from the plasmid pattlS2hyg + (see above) by digestion of this plasmid with EcoRV. The latter was then subcloned into the vector pBXL111 previously prepared as described above (SmaI and Asp718I digestion followed by treatment with the Klenow enzyme). The plasmid obtained was named

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 pBXL1112 (see Figure 17). In this construct, the or / 6 * gene has a deletion of 120pb and is interrupted by the att1 # hyg + cassette.

 The plasmid pBXL1112 was then digested with the enzyme PstI (site bordering the cassette since present in the PCR oligonucleotides) and the PstI insert of 3.7 kb comprising a portion of orf6 * interrupted by the cassette att1 # hyg + was then cloned at the PstI site of plasmid pOJ260 (see above). The plasmid thus obtained was named pBXL113.

 The vector pBXL1113 was introduced into the strain Streptomyces ambofaciens OSC2 (see above) by protoplast transformation (Kieser, T et al., 2000). After transformation, the clones are selected for their resistance to hygromycin. The hygromycin-resistant clones are then transplanted respectively on medium with hygromycin (antibiotic B) and on medium with apramycin (antibiotic A) (see FIG. 9). The hygromycin-resistant (HygR) and apramycin-sensitive (ApraS) -resistant clones are in principle those where a double crossing-over event has occurred and which have the or / 0 * gene interrupted by the cassette att1 # hyg + . These clones were more particularly selected and the replacement of the wild copy of orf6 * by the copy interrupted by the cassette was verified by the Southern blot technique. Thus, the total DNA of the clones obtained, was digested with several enzymes, separated on agarose gel, transferred to membrane and hybridized with a probe corresponding to the gene hyg (obtained by PCR) to check the presence of the cassette in the Genomic DNA of the clones obtained. A second hybridization was carried out using as probe the PstI-PstI insert containing the orf6 * gene, of a size of about 1.1 kb and obtained from the plasmid pBXLllll (see above and FIG. 16). . Verification of the genotype can also be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art and in particular by PCR using the appropriate oligonucleotides and sequencing of the PCR product.

 A clone with the expected characteristics (orf6 * :: attl2hyg +) was more particularly selected and named SPM501. It could indeed be verified thanks to the two hybridizations that the cassette att1 # hyg + was present in the genome of this

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 clone and that we obtain the expected digestion profile in the case of a replacement, as a result of a double recombination event, of the wild-type gene by the copy interrupted by the cassette att1 # hyg + in the genome of this gene. clone. This clone therefore has the genotype: orf6 * :: att1 # hyg + and has been named SPM501. A sample of the strain SPM501 has been deposited with the National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms (CNCM) Institut Pasteur, 25, rue du Docteur Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, July 10, 2002 under the registration number 1-2909 .

 The SPM501 strain was transformed by the vector pOSV508 by protoplast transformation to excise the cassette (see FIG. 14). Plasmid pOSV508 is derived from the plasmid pWHM3 (Vara J et al., 1989) (see FIG. 13) in which the xis and int genes of pSAM2 (Boccard F. et al., 1989b) placed under the control of the ptrc promoter ( Amann, E. et al., 1988) have been added (see Figure 14). The introduction into the SPM501 strain of plasmid pOSV508 carrying the xis and int genes of pSAM2 allows efficient excision by specific site-specific recombination of the excisable cassette between the attL and attR sites flanking this cassette (Raynal A. et al., 1998). (Figure 10). Among the transformants selected for their thiostrepton resistance due to the tsr gene carried by pOSV508, those which have become sensitive to hygromycin whose resistance gene is carried by the cassette att1 # hyg + are chosen, the excision in fact causes the loss of this resistance gene (see Figure 10). The plasmid pOSV508 is unstable and after two successive passages on medium without antibiotic isolated clones are subcultured on medium with thiostrepton and medium without thiostrepton. Thiostrepton-sensitive clones lost pOSV508. It was verified that the excision of the cassette did occur in the orf6 * gene by PCR and sequencing of the PCR product. The disruption begins at the 158th codon, 40 codons are deleted (120pb), and excision of the cassette leaves a characteristic 33bb att binding sequence: 5 'ATCGCGCGCTTCGTTCGGGACGAAGAGGTAGAT 3' (SEQ ID N 104).

The strain thus obtained and having the desired genotype (orf6 * :: attl) was named SPM502.

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 A sample of the SPM502 strain has been deposited with the National Collection of Microorganism Cultures (CNCM) Pasteur Institute, 25, rue du Docteur Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, July 10, 2002 under the registration number 1-2910 .

EXAMPLE 15 Analysis of strains of Streptomyces ambofaciens interrupted in the genes gold / 2, orf3, or / 8, orfl0, orf12, orf13c, orf1, orf6 *
To test the spiramycin production of the various strains obtained, a microbiological test based on the sensitivity of a strain of Micrococcus luteus was developed (see Gourmelen A. et al., 1998). The strain of Micrococcus luteus used is a strain derived from the strain DSM1790 naturally sensitive to spiramycin (this strain is available in particular from the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (Deutsche Sammlung von Mikro-organismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, DSMZ), ( Braunschweig, Germany), under the number DSM1790), the strain used in this test differs from the strain DSM1790 in that it is resistant to congocidin. This strain is a spontaneous mutant obtained by selection on medium containing increasing doses of congocidine. Such a strain has been selected because Streptomyces ambofaciens produces both spiramycin and congocidin. The aim is to measure the spiramycin production of the various strains obtained by means of a microbiological test based on the sensitivity of a strain of Micrococcus luteus, it is necessary to have a strain resistant to congocidine.

 The different Streptomyces strains to be tested were cultured in 500 ml baffled Erlenmeyer flasks (500 ml Erlenmeyer flasks) containing 70 ml of MP5 medium (Pernodet et al., 1993). The quenched Erlenmeyer flasks were inoculated at an initial concentration of 2.5 106 spores / ml of the different strains of S. ambofaciens and grown at 27 ° C. with orbital shaking of 250 rpm. Samples of 2 ml of suspensions were made after 48.72 and 96 hours of culture and centrifuged. The

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 various supernatants were then frozen at -20 C. A tenth dilution of these supernatants in sterile culture medium is used for the test (see Figure 18).

 The spirocynin-sensitive, but conocidin-resistant Micrococcus luteus indicator strain was cultured in 2TY medium (Sambrook et al., 1989) containing 5 g / ml congocidin for 48 h at 37 C. Optical density (OD) ) of the culture is measured and this culture is diluted so as to adjust the optical density to 4.

0.4 ml of this preculture is diluted in 40 ml of DAM5 medium (Difco Antibiotic Medium 5, marketed by the company Difco), previously heated to a temperature of about 45 C. This medium is then poured into a square box 12x12 cm and allowed to rest at room temperature.

 Once the medium has cooled and solidified, Whatman AA paper discs (cf.

Gourmelen A. et al., 1998) 12 mm in diameter were impregnated with 70 III of the tenth dilution of each supernatant and deposited on the surface of the can. Disks imbibed with a solution of spiramycin of different concentrations (2-4-8 g / ml in MP5 culture medium) are used as the standard range. The dishes are left at 4 ° C. for 2 hours so as to allow the antibiotics to diffuse into the agar and are then incubated at 37 ° C. for 24 to 48 hours.

 If the disc contains spiramycin, it diffuses into the agar and inhibits the growth of the indicator strain of Micrococcus luteus. This inhibition creates a halo around the disc, this halo reflecting the area where the strain of Micrococcus luteus did not grow. The presence of this halo is therefore an indication of the presence of spiramycin and makes it possible to determine whether the S. ambofaciens strain corresponding to the disc in question is producing or not producing spiramycin. A comparison with the diameters of inhibition obtained for the standard range makes it possible to obtain an indication of the amount of spiramycin produced by this strain.

 The different strains described in the preceding examples were used in this test to detect their spiramycin production. The results obtained are summarized in Table 38.

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Table 3

<Tb>
<tb> Strain <SEP> Gene <SEP> inactivated <SEP> Example <SEP> in <SEP> Phenotype <SEP>: <SEP>
<tb> which <SEP> the <SEP> Producer <SEP> (+) <SEP> or
<tb> strain <SEP> is <SEP> non-producer <SEP> (-) <SEP> of
<tb> described <SEP> spiramycin
<tb> ATCC23877 <SEP> None <SEP> 1 <SEP> (+)
<tb> OS49. <SEP> 16 <SEP> orf3 :: # hyg <SEP> 2 <SEP> (-)
<tb> OS49. <SEP> 67 <SEP> orf3deletion <SEP> in <SEP> phase <SEP> 6 <SEP> (-)
<tb> OS49. <SEP> 107 <SEP> orf8 :: # hyg <SEP> 7 <SEP> (-)
<tb> OS49. <SEP> 50 <SEP> orf10 :: <SEP>#hyg<SEP> 8 <SEP> (-)
<tb> OSC2 <SEP> None <SEP> 10 <SEP> (+)
<tb> SPM21 <SEP> orf2 :: att3 # aac- <SEP> 10 <SEP> (-)
<tb> SPM22 <SEP> orf2 :: att3 <SEP> deletion <SEP> in <SEP> phase <SEP> 10 <SEP> (-)
<tb> SPM501 <SEP> orf6 * :: att1 # hyg + <SEP> 14 <SEP> (-)
<tb> SPM502 <SEP> orf6 * :: attl <SEP> deletion <SEP> in <SEP> phase <SEP> 14 <SEP> (+)
<Tb>

SPM507 orfl2: : att3.l.aac- 11 (-) SPM508 orfl3c: : att3.aac- 12 (+)

SPM507 orfl2:: att3.l.aac- 11 (-) SPM508 orfl3c:: att3.aac- 12 (+)

<Tb>
<tb> SPM509 <SEP> orf4 :: att3 # aac- <SEP> 13 <SEP> (-)
<Tb>

These results make it possible to draw a number of conclusions regarding the function of the different genes involved in the biosynthesis of the

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 spiramycin. Thus the or / 3 gene is essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycin. In fact a phase inactivation in this gene leads to a strain (OS49.67, (see Example 6)) no longer producing spiramycin. Inactivation in phase makes it possible to rule out the hypothesis of a possible influence of the introduced cassette on the expression of genes located downstream of / 3.

 Similarly, the orf8 and orf10 genes encode proteins essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycin since strains OS49.107 and OS49.50 have a nonproductive phenotype. Moreover, in these last two strains, it is the inactivation of the corresponding gene which is responsible for this non-producing phenotype, since in view of the orientation of the various orfs (see FIG. can have polar effect.

souche SPM507 possède le génotype : orfl2: : att3SZaac-. Il est inutile de procéder à l'excision de la cassette pour l'étude de l'effet de l'inactivation de orfl2, au vu de l'orientation des gènes (cf. figure 3). Le fait que orfl3c soit orienté en sens opposé à orfl2 montre que ces gènes ne sont pas co-transcrits. L'utilisation d'une cassette excisable permet en revanche d'avoir la possibilité de se débarrasser du marqueur de sélection à tout moment. Le phénotype de la souche SPM507 est non producteur, on peut donc en conclure que le gène orfl2 est un gène essentiel à la biosynthèse de la spiramycine chez S. ambofaciens.

The study of strains possessing an excisable cassette also makes it possible to draw a number of conclusions regarding the function of the interrupted genes. The

strain SPM507 has the genotype: orfl2:: att3SZaac-. There is no need to excise the cassette for the study of the effect of the inactivation of orfl2, given the orientation of the genes (see Figure 3). The fact that orfl3c is oriented in the opposite direction to orfl2 shows that these genes are not co-transcribed. Using an excisable cassette, however, allows you to get rid of the selection marker at any time. The phenotype of the SPM507 strain is nonproductive, so it can be concluded that the orfl2 gene is a gene essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycin in S. ambofaciens.

The SPM508 strain has the genotype: orfl3c :: att3S2aac-. There is no need to excise the cassette for the study of the effect of the inactivation of orfl3c, given the orientation of the genes (see Figure 3). The fact that orfl4 is oriented in the opposite direction to orfl3c shows that these genes are not co-transcribed. Using an excisable cassette, however, allows you to get rid of the selection marker at any time. The phenotype of strain SPM508 is a producer, one can

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La souche SPM509 possède le génotype : orfl4: : att3Saac-. Il est inutile de procéder à l'excision de la cassette pour l'étude de l'effet de l'inactivation de or/14, au vu de l'orientation des gènes (cf. figure 3), le fait que orfl5c soit orienté en sens opposé à or/14 montre que ces gènes ne sont pas co-transcrits. L'utilisation d'une cassette excisable permet en revanche d'avoir la possibilité de se débarrasser du marqueur de selection à tout moment. Le phénotype de la souche SPM509 est non producteur, on peut donc en conclure que le gène or/14 est un gène essentiel à la biosynthèse de la spiramycine chez S. ambofaciens. therefore conclude that the orf13c gene is not a gene essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycin in S. ambofaciens.

The strain SPM509 has the genotype: orfl4 :: att3Saac-. There is no need to excise the cassette for the study of the effect of gold / 14 inactivation, given the orientation of the genes (see Figure 3), the fact that orfl5c is oriented opposite to gold / 14 shows that these genes are not co-transcribed. Using an excisable cassette, however, allows you to get rid of the selection marker at any time. The phenotype of the SPM509 strain is nonproductive, so it can be concluded that the or / 14 gene is a gene essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycin in S. ambofaciens.

 The strain SPM21 has the genotype: orf2 :: att3 # aac-. The phenotype of this strain is non-producer of spiramycins. However, the orientation of the orf1 to orf8 genes (see Figure 3) suggests that these genes are cotranscribed. Also, the phenotype observed may be due to a polar effect of the cassette introduced in or / 2 on the expression of genes located downstream in the operon. The strain SPM22 has the genotype orf2 :: att3 and was obtained after excision in the introduced cassette. Excision of the cassette leaves only a characteristic cicatricial sequence (see Example 10).

Since the SPM22 strain also has a non-producing phenotype, it can be concluded that the or / 2 gene is a gene essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycin in S. ambofaciens. Here, only the effect due to the inactivation of gold / 2 is observed.

The SPM501 strain has the genotype: orf6 * :: attl.s2hyg +. The phenotype of this strain is non-producer of spiramycins. However, since the orf5 * and orf6 * genes (see FIG. 3) have the same orientation, the observed phenotype may be due to a polar effect of the cassette introduced into orf6 * on the expression of orf5 *. The arrangement of these genes suggests that they can be cotranscribed. To answer this question, strain SPM502 was obtained after phase excision of the introduced cassette. In this strain, only the effect of the inactivation of orf6 * is observed. This strain

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 has the genotype orf6 * :: attl (see example 14). Excision of the cassette leaves only a cicatricial sequence in phase (see Example 14). The strain SPM502 has a producing phenotype (this strain, however, only produces spiramycin I (cf Example 16)). It can therefore be concluded that the orf5 * gene is a gene essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycin in S. ambofaciens, since its indirect inactivation in the SPM501 strain leads to a non-producing phenotype. On the other hand ; the orf6 * gene is not a gene essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycin I in S. ambofaciens (on the other hand it is essential for the production of spiramycin II and III (see Example 16)).

EXAMPLE 16 Determination of the Production of Spiramycins I, II and III in Mutant Strains Obtained
The different strains to be tested were each cultured in 7 500 ml baffled erlenmeyers containing 70 ml of MP5 medium (Pernodet et al., 1993). The erlens were inoculated with 2.5 106 spores / ml of the different strains of S. ambofaciens and grown at 27 ° C. with orbital shaking at 250 rpm for 72 hours. The cultures corresponding to the same clone are pooled, possibly filtered on a pleated filter, and centrifuged for 15 min at 7000 rpm. The different supernatants were then stored at -30 C.

 Assays were performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) by ion pairing. The HPLC analysis of the culture medium makes it possible to precisely determine the concentration of the three forms of spiramycin. The column used (Macherey-Nagel) is filled with a Nucleosil phase of octyl grafted silica.

The particle size is 5 m and the pore size 100. The internal diameter of the column is 4.6mm and its length 25cm. The mobile phase is a mixture of buffer H3PO4 (pH2.2) and acetonitrile 70/30 (v / v) containing 6.25 g / l of NaClO4 perchlorate. The analysis is carried out under isocratic conditions with a flow rate set at 1 ml / min. The

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 column is thermoregulated at 23 C. The detection is performed by UV spectrophotometry at 238 nm. The sample is refrigerated at +10 C and quantification is determined from the peak area (by external calibration). Under these conditions, the retention times of spiramycin I, II and III are respectively about 17; and 30 minutes, as could be verified by a commercial sample comprising all three forms of spiramycin.

 The OSC2 strain has a spiramycin-producing phenotype. This is the parental strain used to obtain strains possessing an excisable cassette (see Example 15). This strain was therefore used as a positive control of production of the three forms of spiramycin. This strain produces all three spiramycin forms as verified by HPLC (see Figure 19).

SPM507 possède le génotype : of f12:: att3,aac-. Le phénotype de la souche SPM507 est non producteur (cf. exemple 15), on peut donc en conclure que le gène orfl2 est un gène essentiel à la biosynthèse de la spiramycine chez S. ambofaciens. Cette souche ne produit plus de spiramycines comme il a été vérifié par CLHP (cf. figure 22). Ce résultat confirme le caractère essentiel du gène or/72 dans la biosynthèse de la spiramycine.

The study of strains possessing an excisable cassette makes it possible to draw a number of conclusions regarding the function of the interrupted genes. Strain

SPM507 has the genotype: of f12 :: att3, aac-. The phenotype of the strain SPM507 is non-producer (see Example 15), it can therefore be concluded that the orfl2 gene is a gene essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycin in S. ambofaciens. This strain no longer produces spiramycins as verified by HPLC (see Figure 22). This result confirms the essential character of the or / 72 gene in the biosynthesis of spiramycin.

The SPM508 strain has the genotype: orfl3c :: att3S2aac-. The phenotype of the SPM508 strain produces spiramycin (see Example 15), it can therefore be concluded that the orfl3c gene is not a gene essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycin in S. ambofaciens. This strain produces spiramycin I, II and III as verified by HPLC (see Figure 23). This result confirms that the orfl3c gene is not a gene essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycins I, II and III of S. ambofaciens.

 The SPM509 strain has the genotype: orf14 :: att3 # aac-. The phenotype of strain SPM509 is nonproductive, so it can be concluded that the orfl4 gene is a

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essential gene for the biosynthesis of spiramycin in S. ambofaciens. This strain no longer produces spiramycins as verified by HPLC (see Figure 24). This result confirms the essentiality of the or / 14 gene in the biosynthesis of spiramycin.

The SPM501 strain has the genotype: orf6 *:: attl S2hyg +. The phenotype of this strain is non-producer of spiramycins. This strain no longer produces spiramycins as verified by HPLC (see Figure 20). However, since the orf5 * and orf6 * genes (see FIG. 3) have the same orientation, the observed phenotype may be due to a polar effect of the cassette introduced into orf6 * on the expression of orf5 * in the operon. This suggests that these genes are cotranscribed. To answer this question, strain SPM502 was obtained by excision of the introduced cassette, producing a phase deletion in the or6 * gene and restoring the expression of orf5 *.

This strain has the genotype orf6 * :: attl (see example 14 and 15). Excision of the cassette leaves only a scarring phase in phase (see Example 14). The strain SPM502 has a phenotype producing spiramycin. However, as proved by HPLC, this strain produces only spiramycin I and does not produce spiramycin II and III (see Figure 21). It can therefore be concluded from these results that the or / 5 * gene is an essential gene for the biosynthesis of spiramycin in S. ambofaciens, since its indirect inactivation in the SPM501 strain leads to a non-spiramycin-producing phenotype (see Figure 20). ). On the other hand ; the orf6 * gene is not a gene essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycin I in S. ambofaciens, since the inactivation of this gene leads to a spiramycin I-producing phenotype (see Figure 21).

However, orf6 * is essential for the production of spiramycin II and III (see Example 16)).

The orf6 * gene therefore encodes an acyl transferase responsible for the modification of platenolide at position 3 (see FIG.

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EXAMPLE 17 Determination of the starting point of translation of orf 10 and improvement of spiramycin production
17. 1 Construction of Plasmids pSPM523. pSPM524 and pSPM525:
The orf10 gene has been identified in Streptomyces ambofaciens and has been designated srmR by Geistlich et al. (Geistlich, M., et al., 1992). Inactivation of the orf10 gene was performed (see Example 8). It was thus possible to show that the resulting strain no longer produces spiramycins (see Example 15). This confirms that the or / 70 gene is well implicated in the biosynthesis of spiramycins. The protein encoded by this gene is therefore essential for the biosynthesis of spiramycins. However, the analysis of the sequence shows that two ATG codons located in the same reading phase can be used for the translation of orf10 (see Figure 28). One of the two possible codons (the most upstream codon) starts at the position 10656 of the sequence given in SEQ ID N 1, while the other possible codon situated further downstream starts at the position 10809 (see SEQ ID N 1). Before testing a possible effect of srmR overexpression on spiramycin production, it is important to first determine the start point of the translation.

 In order to determine the start site of the translation, three constructions comprising three forms of orf10 have been realized. The latter were obtained by PCR using oligonucleotides comprising either a HindIII restriction site or a BamHI restriction site.

The first pair used for the amplification corresponds to the following oligonucleotides: EDR39: 5'CCCAAGCTTGAGAAGGGAGCGGACATTCATGGCCCGCGCCGAACGC3 '(SEQ ID N 122) (the HindIII site is in bold) EDR42: 5'CGGGATCCGGCTGACCATGGGAGACGGGCGCATCGCCGAGTTCAGC3' (SEQ ID NO: 123) (the BamHI site FIG. in bold)

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 The primer pair EDR39-EDR42 allows the amplification of a gold / 70 fragment comprising the most 3 'ATG (position 10809 in the sequence given in SEQ ID No. 1) (see FIG. 28). . The fragment obtained has a size of about 2 kb and will be called thereafter "orf10 short", it does not contain the promoter of gold / 70. This 2kb fragment was cloned into the pGEM-T easy vector to give rise to plasmid pSPM520.

The second pair used for the amplification corresponds to the following oligonucleotides: EDR40: 5'CCCAAGCTTGAGAAGGGAGCGGACATTCAATGCTTTGGTAAAGCAC3 '(SEQ ID N 124) (the HindIII site is in bold) EDR42: 5'CGGGATCCGGCTGACCATGGGAGACGGGCGCATCGCCGAGTTCAGC3' (SEQ ID N 123) (the BamHI site appears in bold) The primer pair EDR40-EDR42 allows the amplification of a fragment of orf10 comprising the most 5 'ATG (position 10656 in the sequence given in SEQ ID No. 1) (see FIG. ). This 2.2 kb fragment, hereinafter referred to as "orf10 long", was cloned into the pGEM-T easy vector to give rise to the plasmid pSPM521, this plasmid does not contain the gold / 70 promoter.

The third pair used for the amplification corresponds to the following oligonucleotides: EDR41: 5'-CCCAAGCTTTCAAGGAACGACGGGGTGGTCAGTCAAGT-3 '(SEQ ID N 125) (the HindIII site is in bold) EDR42: 5'CGGGATCCGGCTGACCATGGGAGACGGGCGCATCGCCGAGTTCAGC3' (SEQ ID N 123) (the BamHI site is in bold) The primer pair EDR41-EDR42 allows amplification of the orf10 gene with both ATGs, as well as its own promoter (see Figure 28). This fragment of 2.8 kb

<Desc / Clms Page number 147>

 hereinafter referred to as "orf10 pro" was cloned into the pGEM-T easy vector to give rise to plasmid pSPM522.

The "orf10 pro" fragment was obtained using as template the chromosomal DNA of the OSC2 strain. The fragments "short orf10" and "orf10 long" were obtained by using as template the DNA of the fragment "orf10 pro" previously purified.

 The HindIII-BamHI inserts of the plasmids pSPM520, pSPM521 and pSPM522 were then subcloned in the vector pUWL201 (plasmid derived from the plasmid pUWL199 (Wehmeier UF, 1995) in which the KpnI-BamHI fragment of the ermE promoter region (cf. Bibb et al., 1985, especially Figure 2) carrying a mutation increasing the strength of the promoter (ermE * promoter) (Bibb et al., 1994) was introduced (see Doumith et al., 2000)) previously digested with HindIII-BamHI enzymes. Thus, three plasmids were obtained: pSPM523 (derived from pUWL201 with the form "short orf10" as insert), pSPM524 (derived from pUWL201 with the form "orf10 long" as insert) and pSPM525 (derived from pUWL201 with the form " orf10 pro ") (Figure 28).

17. 2 Transformation of the OS49 strain. 50 by the constructions pSPM523, pSPM524 and pSPM525:
The strain OS49. 50 (strain interrupted in the orf10 gene, see Example 8) was transformed independently by protoplast transformation (Kieser, T et al., 2000) with each of the plasmids pSPM523, pSPM524 and pSPM525. A negative control was also carried out by transforming the strain OS49.50 by the plasmid pUWL201 without insert. After transformation of the protoplasts, the clones are selected for thiostrepton resistance. The transformation of the clones by each of the plasmids is verified by extraction of these plasmids. Thus four new strains were obtained: the strain OSC49.50 pUWL201, resulting from the transformation with the plasmid pUWL201 without insert, the strain OSC49. PSPM523, resulting from the transformation with plasmid pSPM523, strain OSC49. 50 pSPM524, resulting from the transformation by the

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 plasmid pSPM524 and finally the strain OS49. PSPM525, resulting from transformation with plasmid pSPM525.

 The spiramycin production of each of these four strains was tested by HPLC. For this, the different Streptomyces strains to be tested were cultured in 500 ml baffled Erlenmeyer flasks (500 ml Erlenmeyer flasks) containing 70 ml of MP5 medium (Pernodet et al., 1993). When the strain contains the plasmid pUWL201 or one of its derivatives, 5 g / ml of thiostrepton is added. The quenched Erlenmeyer flasks were inoculated at an initial concentration of 2.5 106 spores / ml of the different strains of S. ambofaciens and the cultures were incubated at 27 ° C. with orbital shaking at 250 rpm for 96 hours. The cells were then removed from the medium by centrifugation and the supernatant was analyzed by HPLC (see Example 16) to determine the amount of spiramycin produced. Using a standard sample and measuring peak air, it was possible to determine the amount of each of the spiramycins produced by these strains. The results of this analysis are shown in Table 40, the data are expressed in mg per liter of supernatant. The results correspond to the total production of spiramycins (obtained by adding spiramycin I, II and III production).

Table 40. Spiramycin production of strains derived from OS49.50, (results expressed in mg / l).

<Tb>
<Tb>

Strain <SEP> Production <SEP> in <SEP> Spiramycine
<tb> OS49.50 <SEP> 0
<tb> pUWL201
<tb> OS49.50 <SEP> 0
<tb> pSPM523
<tb> OS49. <SEP> 50 <SEP> 93
<tb> pSPM524
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 149>

<Tb>
<tb> OS49. <SEP> 50 <SEP> 149
<tb> pSPM525
<Tb>

As shown in the results given in Table 40, the negative control (strain OS49.50 transformed with plasmid pUWL201) does not produce spiramycin. When the plasmid pSPM523 (which contains the form "short orflO") is introduced into the strain OS49. 50, no production of spiramycin is observed.

In contrast, the presence of plasmid pSPM524 (which contains the "long orf10" form) and plasmid pSPM525 (which contains the "orf10 pro" form) restores the production of spiramycin in the OS49 host strain. 50. Thus, only the fragments of orf10 containing the most upstream ATG make it possible to restore spiramycin synthesis.

 In order to confirm these results, the plasmid pSPM521 (plasmid pGEM-T easy containing the form "long orflO") was digested with the restriction enzyme XhoI (this enzyme has a unique site in this plasmid, located between the two ATG (see Figure 28)). The XhoI ends were then blunted by Klenow enzyme treatment. The plasmid was then closed on itself by the action of T4 DNA ligase to give rise to the plasmid pSPM527. If the most upstream ATG (position 10656 in the sequence given in SEQ ID No. 1) is well used as a translation initiation site, this processing will cause a shift of the reading frame at the XhoI site and will have effect the production of a protein not exhibiting activating activity. On the other hand, if the initiation of the translation takes place at the level of the ATG further downstream (position 10809 in the sequence given in SEQ ID No. 1), this treatment should have little or no effect on the expression of OrflO. (considering the location of the start point of transcription) and no effect on the protein produced.

 The BamHI-HindIII insert of pSPM527 was then subcloned into the vector pUWL201 to give rise to the plasmid pSPM528. This plasmid was introduced into the strain OS49. 50 and a clone possessing the desired plasmid was more particularly selected. Spiramycin production of the strain

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 The resultant was then tested by HPLC (see Example 16 and above). Contrary to what was observed with plasmid pSPM524 (see Table 40), the presence of plasmid pSPM528 in strain OS49.50 does not restore the production of spiramycin. This confirms that the start of the translation of the orf10 gene is the most downstream ATG (ATG 1 see Figure 28).

17. 3 Improvement of spiramycin production of S. ambofaciens strain OSC2:
In order to test the effect of the overexpression of the orf10 gene on the production of spiramycins, the plasmids pSPM523, pSPM524, pSPM525 and pSPM528 were introduced into the strain OSC2. For this, protoplasts of strain OSC2 were transformed (Kieser, T et al., 2000) independently by each of the plasmids pSPM523, pSPM524, pSPM525 and pSPM528. A negative control was also carried out by transforming the strain OSC2 by the plasmid pUWL201 without insert. After transformation of the protoplasts, the clones are selected for thiostrepton resistance. Thus, five new strains were obtained: the OSC2 pUWL201 strain, resulting from the transformation by the plasmid pUWL201 without insert, the OSC2 strain pSPM523, resulting from the transformation with the plasmid pSPM523, the OSC2 strain pSPM524, resulting from the transformation with the plasmid pSPM524, the strain OSC2 pSPM525, resulting from the transformation with the plasmid pSPM525 and finally the OSC2 strain pSPM528, resulting from the transformation with the plasmid pSPM528. The spiramycin production of these strains was then analyzed by HPLC (in the same manner as in Example 17.2). Analysis of spiramycin production of strain OSC2 was also performed in parallel for comparison. The results of this analysis are shown in Table 41, the data are expressed in mg per liter of supernatant. The results correspond to the total production of spiramycins (obtained by adding spiramycin I, II and III production).

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Table 41. Spiramycin production of strains derived from OSC2, (results expressed in mg / 1).

<Tb>
<Tb>

Strain <SEP> Production <SEP> in <SEP> spiramycins
<tb> OSC2 <SEP> 69
<tb> OSC2 <SEP> 103
<tb> pUWL201
<tb> OSC2 <SEP> 19
<tb> pSPM523
<tb> OSC2 <SEP> 135
<tb> pSPM524
<tb> OSC2 <SEP> 278
<tb> pSPM525
<tb> OSC2 <SEP> 68
<tb> pSPM528
<Tb>

Thus, it is observed that the presence of the plasmid pSPM524 or the plasmid pSPM525 significantly increases the spiramycin production of the strain OSC2. This demonstrates that overexpression of OrflO has a positive effect on spiramycin production. The plasmid pSPM528 has no effect on the production of spiramycins.

 Plasmids pSPM525 and pUWL201 were likewise introduced into strain SPM502 (see Example 14). Thus two new strains were obtained: the strain SPM502 pUWL201, resulting from the transformation with the plasmid

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 pUWL201 without insert, and the strain SPM502 pSPM525, resulting from the transformation with the plasmid pSPM525.

 A sample of the SPM502 pSPM525 strain (this strain contains the plasmid pSPM525, see above) has been deposited with the National Collection of Microorganism Cultures (CNCM) Institut Pasteur, 25, rue du Docteur Roux 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, February 26, 2003 under the registration number 1-2977.

 The spiramycin production of strains SPM502 pUWL201 and SPM502 pSPM525 was analyzed by HPLC (in the same manner as in Example 17.2).

 Analysis of the spiramycin production of the SPM502 strain was also performed in parallel for comparison. The results of this analysis are shown in Table 42, the data are expressed in mg per liter of supernatant. The results correspond to spiramycin I production. Indeed, none of these strains produce spiramycin II and III.

Table 42. Spiramycin 1 production of strains derived from SPM502, (results expressed in mg / l).

<Tb>
<Tb>

Strain <SEP> Spiramycin <SEP> 1
<tb> SPM502 <SEP> 47
<tb> SPM502 <SEP> pUWL201 <SEP> 72
<tb> SPM502 <SEP> pSPM525 <SEP> 130
<Tb>

Thus, it has been observed that the overexpression of the orf10 gene in the SPM502 strain significantly increases the production of spiramycin I.

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 EXAMPLE 18 Construction of a genomic DNA library of Streptomyces ambofaciens strain OSC2 in E. coli in the cosmid pWED2.

18. 1 Construction of the cosmid pWED2:
In order to facilitate the inactivation of genes in Streptomyces, a cosmid bearing the oriT sequence of plasmid RK2 (which allows its introduction by conjugation into Streptomyces from a suitable strain of E. coli) and also carrying a gene of resistance to an antibiotic conferring a detectable phenotype in Streptomyces, was constructed. Such a cosmid containing large genomic DNA inserts of Streptomyces ambofaciens can be used in gene inactivation experiments.

 To construct this vector, a pac-oriT cassette (EcoRV fragment) was introduced into cosmid pWED1 (Gourmelen et al., 1998), derived from the cosmid pWED15 (Wahl et al., 1987), at the unique HpaI site. The pac-oriT cassette was obtained by PCR. For this, the pac gene was amplified by PCR from the plasmid pVF 10.4 (Vara et al., 1985, Lacalle et al., 1989) using as primer the primer A (sequence 5'CCAGTAGATATCCCGCCAACCCGGAGCTGCAC-3 (SEQ ID NO: 126), the EcoRV restriction site was underlined and the 20 nucleotide fat sequence corresponds to a region upstream of the pac gene promoter) and as the second primer, the B (5 'sequence) primer GAAAAGATCCGTCATGGGGTCGTGCGCTCCTT-3 '(SEQ ID N 127), which comprises at its 5' end a sequence of 12 nucleotides corresponding to the beginning of the oriT sequence (double underlined) and a sequence of 20 nucleotides (in bold) corresponding to the end of the genepac (see Figure 29, 1st PCR).

 The oriT gene was in turn amplified by PCR from plasmid pPM803 (Mazodier, P. et al., 1989) using, as first primer, primer C (sequence 5'-CACGACCCCATGACGGATCTTTTCCGCTGCAT-3 '(SEQ ID N 128)), which comprises at its 5 'end a sequence of 12 nucleotides corresponding to a sequence downstream of the coding sequence of the pac gene (in bold) and a sequence of

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 20 nucleotides corresponding to the beginning of the sequence on?) And as a second primer, the primer D (of sequence 5'GAGCCGGATATCATCGGTCTTGCCTTGCTCGT-3 '(SEQ ID N 129)) which comprises the restriction site EcoRV (underlined simple) and a sequence 20 nucleotides corresponding to the end of the oriT sequence (double underlined) (see Figure 29, 2nd PCR).

 The amplification product obtained with primers A and B and that obtained with primers C and D have at one end a common sequence of 24 nucleotides. A third PCR was performed by mixing the two amplification products obtained previously and using primers A and D as primers (see FIG. 29, 3rd PCR). This made it possible to obtain an amplification product corresponding to the pac + oriT set. This pac-oriT fragment was then cloned into the vector pGEM-T Easy (marketed by Promega (Madison, Wisconcin, USA)), which made it possible to obtain the plasmid pGEM-T-pac-oriT. The insert of this plasmid was then subcloned into cosmid pWED1. For this, the plasmid pGEM-pac-oriT was digested with the enzyme EcoRV and the EcoRV insert containing the pac + oriT set was inserted into the cosmid pWED1 previously opened with the enzyme HpaI. The cosmid thus obtained was named pWED2 (see Figure 30).

 This cosmid makes it easier to inactivate genes in Streptomyces.

Indeed, it carries the oriT sequence (which allows its introduction by conjugation into Streptomyces from a suitable strain of E. coli) but also an antibiotic resistance gene conferring a detectable phenotype in Streptomyces. Such a cosmid containing large genomic DNA inserts of Streptomyces ambofaciens can be used in gene inactivation experiments.

 Thus a cosmid derived from pWED2 containing the target gene may, for example, be introduced into the E. coli strain KS272 containing the plasmid pKOBEG (see Chaveroche et al., 2000) and a cassette will be introduced into the target gene according to the technique described by Chaveroche et al. 2000. The cosmid obtained by this technic (cosmid in which the target gene is inactivated), can then be

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 introduced into a strain of E. coli such as strain S 17.1 or any other strain which makes it possible to transfer, by conjugation, plasmids containing the oriT sequence to Streptomyces.

 After conjugation between E. coli and Streptomyces, Streptomyces clones in which the wild-type copy of the target gene has been replaced by the interrupted copy can be obtained as described in Example 2.

 The resistance gene expressed in Streptomyces present on this new cosmid is the pac gene of Streptomyces alboniger (Vara, J et al., 1985, Lacalle et al., 1989) which encodes puromycin N-acetyltransferase and which confers resistance to puromycin. In gene inactivation experiments, we will look for clones in which a double recombination event has occurred. These clones will have eliminated cosmid pWED2 and will therefore become sensitive to puromycin again.

18. 2 Construction of a genomic DNA library of the OSC2 strain of Streptomyces ambofaciens in E. coli in the cosmid pWED2
The genomic DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens strain OSC2 was partially digested with BamHI restriction enzyme to obtain DNA fragments of size between about 35 and 45 kb. These fragments were then cloned into cosmid pWED2, the latter having been digested beforehand with BamHI and then treated with alkaline phosphatase. The ligation mixture was then packaged in vitro in lambda phage particles using the Packagene Lambda DNA packaging system sold by Promega (Madison, Wisconcin, USA) according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The phage particles obtained were used to infect the strain SURE @ E. coli marketed by Stratagene (LaJolla, California, USA). The selection of the clones was carried out on LB + ampicillin medium (50 g / ml), the cosmid pWED2 conferring resistance to ampicillin.

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EXAMPLE 19 Isolation of cosmids from the new library covering the region of the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway
19. 1 Colony hybridization of the genomic library of Streptomyces ambofaciens OSC2:
Cosmids from the new Streptomyces ambofaciens OSC2 library (see Example 18) covering orf10 * or a part or all orf25c or a region further upstream of orf25c were isolated. For this, successive hybridizations on E. coli colonies. coli obtained according to Example 18 were carried out using the following 3 probes (see FIG. 31): the first probe used corresponds to a DNA fragment of approximately 0.8 kb amplified by PCR using the cosmid as matrix pSPM5 and the following primers: ORF23c: 5'-ACGTGCGCGGTGAGTTCGCCGTTGC-3 '(SEQ ID NO: 130) and ORF25c: 5'-CTGAACGACGCCATCGCGGTGGTGC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 131).

The PCR product thus obtained contains a fragment of the beginning of orf23c, orf24c in its entirety and the end of orf25c (see Figure 31, probe I).

The second probe used corresponds to a DNA fragment of approximately 0.7 kb amplified by PCR using as template the total DNA of the S. ambofaciens strain ATCC23877 and the following primers: ORF1 * c: 5'-GACCACCTCGAACCGTCCGGCGTCA- 3 '(SEQ ID NO: 132) and ORF2 * c: 5'-GGCCCGGTCCAGCGTGCCGAAGC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 133).

The PCR product thus obtained contains a fragment of the end of the orfl * c and the beginning of orf2 * c (see Figure 31, probe II).

The third probe used corresponds to an EcoRI-BamHI fragment of approximately 3 kb containing the orfl, or / 2 and orf3 and obtained by digestion of the plasmid pOS49.99 (see FIG. 31, probe III).

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 About 2000 clones of the library obtained in Example 18. 2 were transferred to a colony hybridization filter according to standard techniques (Sambrook et al., 1989).

 The first probe (see FIG. 31, probe I) was labeled with 32P by the random priming technique (Kit marketed by Roche) and used for hybridization on 2000 clones of the library, after transfer to a filter. Hybridization was performed at 65 ° C in the buffer described by Church & Gilbert (Church & Gilbert, 1984). Two washes were performed at 2x SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65 ° C, the first for 10 minutes and the second for 20 minutes and a third 30-minute wash was then performed at 0. 2 × SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65 ° C. Under these hybridization and washing conditions, 20 of the 2000 hybridized clones showed a strong hybridization signal with the first probe. These clones were cultured in LB + ampicillin medium (50 g / ml) and the corresponding cosmids were extracted by alkaline lysis (Sambrook et al., 1989) and then digested with BamHI restriction enzyme. The digests were then separated on agarose gel, transferred onto a nylon membrane and hybridized with the first probe (see above: the ORF23c-ORF25c PCR product, probe I) under the same conditions as above. above. Twelve cosmids had a BamHl fragment hybridizing strongly with the probe used.

These 12 cosmids were named pSPM34, pSPM35, pSPM36, pSPM37, pSPM38, pSPM39, pSPM40, pSPM41, pSPM42, pSPM43, pSPM44 and pSPM45. The profiles, after digestion with BamHI, of these 12 cosmids were compared with each other and with that of cosmid pSPM5. Moreover PCR amplification experiments using different primers corresponding to different genes already identified in the orflorf25c region have made it possible to position the insert of some of these cosmids with respect to each other and also to determine the location of these inserts. in the orflorf25c region already known (see Figure 32). The cosmid pSPM36 was particularly chosen because it was likely to contain a large region upstream of the orf25c (cf.

Figure31 and 32).

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 In a second step, and using the same conditions as those described above, the 2000 clones of the Streptomyces ambofaciens OSC2 library were hybridized with the second probe corresponding to the PCR product: ORF1 * c-ORF2 * c (cf. Figure 31, probe II). This hybridization made it possible to isolate cosmids whose insert is located in the orfl * c region at orf10 * c. Under the hybridization conditions used, 16 of the 2000 hybridized clones showed a strong hybridization signal with this second probe. These 16 clones were cultured in LB + ampicillin medium (50 μg / ml) and the corresponding 16 cosmids were extracted by alkaline lysis (Sambrook et al., 1989) and then digested with BamHI restriction enzyme. The digestion profiles (after digestion with BamHI) of these 16 cosmids were compared with each other and with that of cosmid pSPM7. PCR amplification experiments with the ORF1 * c and ORF2 * c primers made it possible to choose two cosmids which contained the orf1 * c and orf2 * c genes and whose profiles had common bands but also different bands. In addition to other PCR amplification experiments using different primers corresponding to different genes already identified in the region orf1 * c to orfl0 * c have made it possible to position the insert of these cosmids with respect to each other and to determine also the location of these inserts in the region orfl * c to orfl0 * c already known (see Figure 32). The two most particular cosmids selected were named pSPM47 and pSPM48 (see Figure 32).

 Using the same conditions as those described above, the 2000 clones of the Streptomyces ambofaciens OSC2 library were also hybridized with the third probe corresponding to the EcoRI-BamHI DNA fragment of the plasmid pOS49. 99 (see figure 31 probe ni). This hybridization made it possible to isolate the cosmids containing the orf3 orf3 region and likely to contain either a large part of the PKS genes, or a large part of the orf25c genes of the biosynthesis pathway. spiramycin. Under these hybridization conditions, 35 of the hybridized 2000 clones showed a strong hybridization signal with the third probe. These 35 clones were cultured in LB + ampicillin medium (50 g / ml) and the corresponding cosmids were extracted by alkaline lysis (Sambrook et al., 1989) and then digested with

<Desc / Clms Page number 159>

 the BamHI restriction enzyme. The profiles, after digestion with BamHI, of these 35 cosmids were compared with each other and with that of the cosmid pSPM5. In addition, PCR amplification experiments using different primers corresponding to different genes already identified in the orf1 to c25c region, made it possible to verify that these cosmids contained well inserts from the orf1c to c25c region and to position the inserts of these inserts. cosmid with respect to each other and with respect to the region orf1 to orf25c already known (see Figure 32). Five cosmids were more particularly selected, they were named pSPM50, pSPM51, pSPM53, pSPM55 and pSPM56 (see Figure 32).

 19. 2 Subcloning and sequencing of a portion of the cosmid insert pSPM36.

 The probe of approximately 0.8 kb obtained by PCR with primers ORF23c and ORF25c (see above and FIG. 31, probe I) was also used in Southern blot experiments on the total DNA of S. ambofaciens. OSC2 digested with PstI enzyme. Under the hybridization conditions described above, this probe reveals a unique PstI fragment of about 6 kb when hybridized to the total DNA of S. ambofaciens OSC2 digested with the enzyme PstI. There is a PstI site at the level of orf23c (see SEQ ID No. 80) but no other PstI site up to the end (BamHI site) of the known sequence (see SEQ ID No. 1). This PstI-BamHI fragment has a size of about 1.4 kb. The 6 kb PstI fragment hybridized to the total DNA of S. ambofaciens digested with the PstI enzyme therefore contains a region of approximately 4.6 kb located upstream of orj25c. This region is likely to contain other genes whose products are involved in the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway. It was verified by digestion that cosmid pSPM36 did indeed contain this 6 kb PstI fragment. This fragment was isolated from pSPM36, in order to determine the sequence further upstream of orf25c. For this, the cosmid pSPM36 was digested with the PstI restriction enzyme. The PstI-PstI fragment of a size of approximately 6 kb was isolated by electroelution from a 0.8% agarose gel and then cloned into pBK-CMV vector (4512bp) (marketed by Stratagene (La Jolla, California, USA)). The plasmid thus obtained was named pSPM58 (see FIG. 33) and the sequence of its insert was determined. The sequence of this insert is presented in SEQ ID N 134.

<Desc / Clms Page number 160>

However, the entire sequence was not determined and it subsite a hole of about 450 nucleotides, the part of the undetermined sequence was noted by a succession of N in the corresponding sequence.

 19. 3 Analysis of new nucleotide sequences, determination of open reading phases and characterization of genes involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins.

 The sequence of the cosmid insert pSPM58 obtained was analyzed using the FramePlot program (Ishikawa J & Hotta K. 1999). This made it possible to identify, among the open reading phases, the open reading stages with typical codon usage of Streptomyces. This analysis determined that this insert has 4 new ORFs upstream of the orf25c (see Figure 34). These genes were named gold / 26 (SEQ ID N 107), or / 27 (SEQ ID N 109), orj28c (SEQ ID N 111, the sequence of this orf was not completely determined since a hole of about 450 nucleotide subsite during the sequencing of the insert of pSPM58, these 450 nucleotides are in the form of a segre of N in the sequence SEQ ID N 111) and orf29 (the sequence of this latter orf was incomplete in this insert) . The c added in the name of the gene means for the ORF in question that the coding sequence is in the reverse orientation (see Figure 34).

 The protein sequences deduced from these open reading phases were compared with those present in different databases through different programs: BLAST (Altschul et al., 1990) (Altschul et al., 1997), CD-search, (these two programs are available from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) (Bethesda, Maryland, USA), FASTA (Pearson W.

R & D. J. Lipman, 1988) and (Pearson W. R., 1990) (this program is accessible in particular from the INFOBIOGEN resource center, Evry, France). These comparisons made it possible to formulate hypotheses on the function of the products of these genes and to identify those likely to be involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins.

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 19. 4 Subcloning and sequencing another part of cosmid insert pSPM36.

 The probe of about 0.8 kb obtained by PCR with primers ORF23c and ORF25c (see above and FIG. 31, probe 1) was also used in Southern blot experiments on the total DNA of the OSC2 strain. digested with StuI enzyme. Under the hybridization conditions described above for this probe, this probe reveals a unique StuI fragment of about 10 kb when hybridized to the total DNA of the StuI enzyme-digested OSC2 strain. Given the presence of a StuI site in orf23c (see SEQ ID No. 80) and the location of this site with respect to the PstI site, this 10 kb fragment includes all of the previously studied PstI fragment (insert of pSPM58) and allows access to an untested region of about 4 kb. (see Figure 33). It was verified by digestion that the cosmid pSPM36 contained this StuI fragment of 10 kb. This fragment was isolated from the cosmid pSPM36, in order to determine the sequence of the late / 29 and other genes further upstream of orfl9. For this, the cosmid pSPM36 was digested with the StuI restriction enzyme. The StuI-StuI fragment of a size of approximately 10 kb was isolated by electroelution from an 0.8% agarose gel and then cloned into the vector pBK-CMV (4512bp) (sold by the company Stratagene ( La Jolla, California, USA)). The plasmid thus obtained was named pSPM72 (see Figure 33). The latter was then digested with EcoRI (EcoRI site in the insert of pSPM58) and HindIII (HindIII site in the multiple cloning site of the vector, immediately after the StuI site of the end of the insert) (see FIG. 33). The EcoRI-HindIII DNA fragment thus obtained corresponds to a fragment of the insert of the plasmid pSPM72 (see FIG. 33) and was subcloned into the vector pBC-SK + (sold by the company Stratagene (La Jolla, California, USA)) previously digested with EcoRI and HindIII. The plasmid thus obtained was named pSPM73 and the sequence of its insert was determined. The sequence of this insert is presented in SEQ ID N 135.

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 19. 5 Analysis of new nucleotide sequences, determination of open reading phases and characterization of genes involved in spiramycin biosynthesis.

 The partial sequence of the cosmid insert pSPM73 obtained was analyzed using the FramePlot program (Ishikawa J & Hotta K. 1999). This made it possible to identify, among the open reading phases, the open reading stages with typical codon usage of Streptomyces. This analysis determined that this insert has 4 ORFs, one incomplete and three complete (see Figure 34). The incomplete ORF corresponds to the 3 'portion of the or / 29 coding sequence which made it possible to complete the sequence of this gene by means of the partial sequence of this same orf obtained during the sequencing of the insert of plasmid pSPM58 ( see example 19. 2 and 19. 3), the combination of the two sequences thus made it possible to obtain the complete sequence of orj29. The 4 genes have been named gold / 29 (SEQ ID No. 113), orf30c (SEQ ID No. 115), or / 31 (SEQ ID No. 118) and orf32c (SEQ ID No. 120). The c added in the name of the gene means for the ORF in question that the coding sequence is in the reverse orientation (see Figure 34).

 The protein sequences deduced from these open reading phases were compared with those present in different databases through different programs: BLAST (Altschul et al., 1990) (Altschul et al., 1997), CD-search, (these two programs are available from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) (Bethesda, Maryland, USA), FASTA (Pearson W. R & DJ Lipman, 1988) and (Pearson WR, 1990). These comparisons made it possible to formulate hypotheses on the function of the products of these genes and to identify those likely to be involved in spiramycin biosynthesis.

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EXAMPLE 20 Analysis of the Production of Spiramycin Biosynthetic Intermediates:
20. 1 Sample preparation:
The different strains to be tested were each cultured in 7 500 ml flasked Erlenmeyer flasks containing 70 ml of MP5 medium (Pemodet et al., 1993). The erlens were inoculated with 2.5 106 s / ml of the different strains of S. ambofaciens and grown at 27 C with orbital shaking at 250 rpm for 96 hours. The cultures corresponding to the same clone are pooled, possibly filtered on a pleated filter, and centrifuged for 15 min at 7000 rpm.

 The pH of the must is then adjusted to 9 with sodium hydroxide and the supernatant is extracted with methyl iso-butyryl ketone (MIBK). The organic phase (MIBK) is then recovered and evaporated. The dry extract is then taken up in 1 ml of acetonitrile, then diluted to 1/10 (100 l qsp lml with water) before being used for analyzes in liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (CL / MS).

20. 2 Analysis of CL / MS samples:
The samples were analyzed in LC / MS in order to determine the mass of the different products synthesized by the strains to be tested.

 The high performance liquid chromatography column used is a Kromasil C8 150 * 4.6mmm, 5mmm, 100 column.

The mobile phase is a gradient consisting of a mixture of acetonitrile and an aqueous solution of trifluoroacetic acid at 0. 05%, the flow rate is set at 1 ml / min. The temperature of the column oven is maintained at 30 C.

The UV detection at the outlet of the column was carried out at two different wavelengths: 238 nm and 280 nm.

The mass spectrometer coupled to the chromatography column is a Simple Quadripole device marketed by Agilent, with cone voltages at 30 and 70V.

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20. 3 Analysis of biosynthetic intermediates produced by strain OS49.67:
The strain OS49. 67 in which the or / 3 gene is inactivated by an in-phase deletion does not produce spiramycins (see Examples 6 and 15).

A sample was prepared according to the method described above (see section 20.1) and analyzed by LC / MS as described above (see section 20.2).

More particularly, the analysis by chromatography was carried out in a solvent gradient with 20% of acetonitrile at time T = 0 to 5 min and then linear rise at 30% at T = 35 minutes, followed by a plateau of about 20 minutes. at T = 50 minutes.

 Under these conditions, two products were observed more particularly: an absorbent at 238 nm (retention time of 33.4 min) and an absorbent at 280 nm (retention time of 44.8 min) (see Figure 35). Figure 35 shows the superposition of the HPLC chromatograms made at 238 and 280 nm (high) as well as the UV spectra of the eluted molecules at 33.4 minutes and 44.8 minutes (low).

 The analysis conditions in coupled mass spectrometry were as follows: the scanning is done in scan mode, covering a mass range between 100 and 1000 Da. The gain of the electro-multiplier was IV. For the electrospray source, the nebulization gas pressure was 35 psig, the drying gas flow rate was 12.0 1.min-1, the drying gas temperature was 350 C, the capillary tension was raised to +/- 3000 V These experiments made it possible to determine the mass of the two separated products. These masses are respectively 370 g / mol for the product eluted first ([M-H2O] + = 353 majority product) and 368 g / mol for the second product ([MH2O] + = 351 majority product).

 In order to obtain the structure, the above-mentioned products were isolated and purified under the following conditions: the mobile phase is a mixture of an aqueous solution of 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid and 70/30 acetonitrile (v / v). The chromatography is carried out in isocratic regime with a fixed flow rate of 1 ml / min. Under these conditions, the retention times of the two products are respectively 8 and 13.3 minutes. Moreover, in this case, the sample prepared (see paragraph 20.1) is not diluted in water before the 10 l injection.

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 The 2 products are recovered at the outlet of the chromatographic column and isolated under the following conditions: an Oasis HLB cartridge 1 cc 30mg (Waters) is conditioned sequentially with 1 ml of acetonitrile, then 1 ml of water / acetonitrile (20 v / 80v) and 1ml of water / acetonitrile 80/20. The sample is then introduced and the cartridge washed successively with 1 ml of water / acetonitrile (95/5), 1 ml of water / deuterated acetonitrile (95/5) and then eluted with 600 μl of water / deuterated acetonitrile 40 / 60.

The recovered solution is then directly analyzed by NMR.

The NMR spectra obtained for these two compounds are as follows: First eluted product: Platenolide A: (Spectrum 9646V) Spectrum 1H in CD3CN (chemical shifts in ppm): 0.90 (3H, t, J = 6Hz), 0, 93 (3H, d, J = 5Hz), 1.27 (3H, d, J = 5Hz), between 1.27 and 1.40 (3H, m), 1.51 (1H, m), 1.95 (1H, m), 2.12 (1H, m), 2.30 (1H, d, J = 12Hz), 2.50 (1H, d, J = 11Hz), 2.58 (1H, dd, J). = 9 and 12 Hz), 2.96 (1H, d, J = 7 Hz), 3.43 (3H, s), 3.70 (1H, d, J = 9 Hz), 3.86 (1H, d, J = 7Hz), 4.10 (1H, m), 5.08 (1H, m), 5.58 (1H, dt, J = 3 and 12Hz), 5.70 (1H, dd, J = 8 and 12 Hz), 6.05 (1H, dd, J = 9 and 12 Hz), 6.24 (1H, dd, J = 9 and 12Hz).

-Second product eluted: Platenolide B: (Spectrum 9647V) Spectrum 1H in CD3CN (chemical shifts in ppm): 0.81 (3H, t, J = 6Hz), 0.89 (1H, m), 1.17 (3H , d, J = 5Hz), 1.30 (4H, m), 1.47 (2H, m), 1.61 (1H, t, J = 10Hz), 2.20 (1H, m), 2, 38 (1H, d, J = 13Hz), 2.52 (1H, m), 2.58 (1H, m), 2.68 (1H, dd, J = 8 and 13Hz), 3.10 (1H, m.p. d, J = 7Hz), 3.50 (3H, s), 3.61 (1H, d, J = 8Hz), 3.82 (1H, d, J = 7Hz), 5.09 (1H, m). , 6.20 (1H, m), 6.25 (1H, dd, J = 9 and 12Hz), 6.58 (1H, d, J = 12Hz), 7.19 (1H, dd, J = 9 and 12Hz).

 These experiments made it possible to determine the structure of these two compounds.

The first eluted product is platenolide A and the second is platenolide B, the structure deduced from these two meolecules is shown in FIG.

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La souche SPM509 dans laquelle le gène orfl4 est inactivé (orfl4:: att3,slaac-) ne produit pas de spiramycines (cf. exemple 13,15 et 16). Un échantillon a été préparé selon la méthode décrite ci-dessus (cf. paragraphe 20. 1) et a été analysé par CL/SM comme décrit ci-dessus (cf. le paragraphe 20. 2 et 20.3). L'analyse des intermédiaires de biosynthèse présents dans le surnageant de culture de la souche SPM509 cultivée en milieu MP5 a montré que cette souche ne produisait que la forme B du platénolide ( platénolide B , cf. figure 36) mais pas la forme A ( platénolide A , cf. figure 36). 20.4 Analysis of Biosynthesis Intermediates Produced by SPM509:

The strain SPM509 in which the orflu4 gene is inactivated (orf14 :: att3, slaac-) does not produce spiramycins (see Example 13, 15 and 16). A sample was prepared according to the method described above (see paragraph 20. 1) and analyzed by LC / MS as described above (see paragraph 20.2 and 20.3). Analysis of the biosynthetic intermediates present in the culture supernatant of the strain SPM509 grown in MP5 medium showed that this strain only produced the B form of platenolide (platenolide B, see FIG. 36) but not the A form (platenolide). A, see Figure 36).

EXAMPLE 21: Interruption of the Orfl4 Gene in a Strain Interrupted in the Orf3 Gene (OS49.67)
The orfl4 gene product is essential for spiramycin biosynthesis (see Example 13, 15 and 16: the SPM509 strain in which this gene is interrupted no longer produces spiramycins). Analysis of the biosynthesis intermediates present in the culture supernatant of the strain SPM509 grown in MP5 medium showed that this strain produced only the B form of platenolide but not the A form (see Example 20). One of the hypotheses that may explain this observation is that the orfl4 product is involved in the conversion of form B of platenolide to form A by an enzymatic reduction step. To test this hypothesis, the orfl4 gene was inactivated in a mutant no longer producing spiramycin, but producing platenolide forms A and B. This is the case of the strain OS49. 67 (see Example 6 and 20) in which the or / 3 gene is inactivated by a phase deletion (# orf3). To inactivate the orfl4 gene in this strain, the plasmid pSPM509 was introduced by transformation of protoplasts of the strain OS49. 67 (Kieser, T et al., 2000). The inactivation of the or / 74 gene has already been described in the case of the OSC2 strain (see Example 13) and the same procedure was used for the inactivation of the orf14 gene in the OS49 strain. 67. After transformation with the plasmid pSPM509, the clones are selected for their resistance to apramycin. Clones resistant to

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apramycin are then transplanted respectively on medium with apramycin and on medium with hygromycin. The apramycin-resistant (ApraR) and hygromycin-sensitive (HygS) -resistant clones are in principle those where a double crossing-over event has occurred and in which the orflu4 gene has been replaced by a copy of orfl4 interrupted by the cassette att3 # aac-. These clones were more particularly selected and the replacement of the wild copy of orfl4 by the copy interrupted by the cassette was verified by hybridization. Thus, the total DNA of the clones obtained, was digested with several enzymes, separated on agarose gel, transferred to the membrane and hybridized with a probe corresponding to the cassette att3 # aac- to verify that gene replacement had indeed occurred. place. Verification of the genotype can also be carried out by any method known to those skilled in the art and in particular by PCR using the appropriate oligonucleotides and sequencing of the PCR product.

A clone with the expected characteristics (Aorf3, orfl4 :: att3S2aac-) was more particularly selected and named SPM510. It could indeed be verified by means of the two hybridizations that the att3 # aac- cassette was indeed present in the genome of this clone and that the expected digestion profile is obtained in the case of a replacement, following a double recombination event, wild-type gene orfl4 by the copy interrupted by the cassette att3 # aac- in the genome of this clone.

EXAMPLE 22 Functional Complementation of the Orfl4 Gene Interruption
22. 1 Construction of the plasmid pSPM519:
The orflu4 gene was amplified by PCR using the following pair of oligonucleotides: EDR31: 5 'CCCAAGCTTCTGCGCCCGCGGGCGTGAA 3' (SEQ ID N 136) and EDR37: 5 'GCTCTAGAACCGTGTAGCCGCGCCCCGG 3' (SEQ ID N 137) and as DNA template chromosome of the OSC2 strain. The

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 oligonucleotides EDR31 and EDR37 respectively carry the restriction site HindIII and XbaI (sequence in bold). The 1.2 kb fragment thus obtained was cloned into the vector pGEM-T easy (marketed by Promega (Madison, Wisconcin, USA)) to give rise to plasmid pSPM515. This plasmid was then digested with the restriction enzymes HindIII and XbaI. The 1.2 kb HindIII / XbaI insert obtained was cloned into the vector pUWL201 (see Example 17.1) previously digested with the same enzymes. The plasmid thus obtained was named pSPM519.

22. 1 Transformation of strains SPM509 and SPM510 by the plasmid pSPM519:
Plasmid pSPM519 was introduced into strains SPM509 (see Example 13) and SPM510 (see Example 17) by protoplast transformation (Kieser, T et al., 2000). After transformation, the clones are selected for thiostrepton resistance. The clones are then subcultured on a medium containing thiostrepton.

 The strain SPM509 is a strain which does not produce spiramycins (see Example 13, 15 and 16 and FIG. 24). The spiramycin production of the SPM509 strain transformed with the vector pSPM519 (strain named SPM509 pSPM519) was analyzed by cultivating this strain in MP5 medium in the presence of thiostrepton. The culture supernatants were then analyzed by HPLC (see Examples 16 and 17). The results of this analysis are shown in Table 43, the data are expressed in mg per liter of supernatant. The results correspond to the total production of spiramycins (obtained by adding spiramycin I, II and III production). It has been observed that the presence of the vector pSPM519 in strain SPM509 restores the production of spiramycins (see Table 43).

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Table 43. Spiramycin production of the strain SPM509 transformed with the vector pSPM519, (results expressed in mg / l of supernatant).

<Tb>
<Tb>

Strain <SEP> Production <SEP> in <SEP> spyramicines
<tb> SPM509 <SEP> pSPM519 <SEP> 58
<Tb>

The SPM510 strain transformed with the plasmid pSPM519 was named SPM510 pSPM509.

EXAMPLE 23: functional of the interruption of the orf3 gene by the tylB gene of S. fradiae
23. 1 Construction of Plasmid pOS49.52:
The plasmid pOS49. 52 corresponds to a plasmid allowing the expression of the TylB protein in S. ambofaciens. To construct it, the coding sequence of the S. fradiae tylB gene (Merson-Davies & Cundliffe, 1994, GenBank accession number: U08223 (region sequence), SFU08223 (DNA sequence) and AAA21342 (protein sequence)) was introduced into the plasmid pKC1218 (Bierman et al., 1992, Kieser et al., 2000, an E. coli strain containing this plasmid is accessible in particular from the ARS (NRRL) Agricultural Research Service Culture Collection) (Peoria, Minois, USA), under number B-14790). In addition, this coding sequence has been placed under the control of the ermE * promoter (see above, in particular Example 17.1, Bibb et al., 1985, Bibb et al., 1994).

23. 1 Transformation of the OS49 strain. 67 by the plasmid pOS49.52:
The strain OS49. 67 in which the or / 3 gene is inactivated by an in-phase deletion does not produce spiramycins (see Examples 6 and 15). The plasmid pOS49. 52 was introduced in strain OS49. 67 by protoplast transformation (Kieser, T et al., 2000). After transformation, the clones are selected for their resistance to

<Desc / Clms Page number 170>

 apramycin. The clones are then subcultured on a medium containing apramycin. A clone was particularly selected and was named OS49.67pOS49.52.

 As demonstrated above, strain OS49.67 does not produce spiramycins (see Examples 6 and 15). The spiramycin production of strain OS49. Transformed by the vector pOS49.52 was analyzed by the technique described in Example 15. It was thus possible to demonstrate that this strain has a phenotype producing spiramycins. Thus the TylB protein allows the functional complementation of the interruption of the orf3 gene.

EXAMPLE 24: Improvement of spiramycin production by overexpression of the orfl8c gene
24. 1 Construction of the plasmid pSPM75:
The orf28c gene was amplified by PCR using an oligonucleotide pair having a HindIII restriction site or a BamHI restriction site. These primers have the following sequence: KF30: 5 'AAGCTTGTGTGCCCGGTGTACCTGGGGAGC 3' (SEQ ID NO: 138) with a HindIII restriction site (shown in bold) KF31: 5 'GGATCCCGCGACGGACACGACCGCCGCGCA 3' (SEQ ID NO: 139) with the restriction site BamHI (which appears in bold) The KF30 and KF31 primers carry the HindIII and BamHI restriction site respectively (sequence in bold). The pair of primers KF30 and KF31 makes it possible to amplify a DNA fragment of a size of approximately 1.5 kb containing the orj28c gene by using the cosmid pSPM36 as a template (see above). The 1.5 kb fragment thus obtained was cloned into the vector pGEM-T easy (marketed by Promega (Madison, Wisconcin, USA)) to give rise to plasmid pSPM74. The plasmid pSPM74 was then digested with the restriction enzymes HindIII and BamHI and the HindIII / BamHI insert of approximately 1.5 kb obtained was subcloned in the vector pUWL201 (cf.

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 Example 17.1) previously digested with the same enzymes. The plasmid thus obtained was named pSPM75, it contains the entire coding sequence of orf28c placed under the control of the ermE * promoter.

* 24. 2 Transformation of the strain OSC2 by the plasmid pSPM75:
Plasmid pSPM75 was introduced into OSC2 strains by protoplast transformation (Kieser, T et al., 2000). After transformation of the protoplasts, the clones are selected for thiostrepton resistance. The clones are then subcultured on a thiostrepton-containing medium and the transformation with the plasmid is verified by plasmid extraction. Two clones were more particularly selected and named OSC2 / pSPM75 (1) and OSC2 / pSPM75 (2).

 In order to test the effect of overexpression of the orj28c gene on the production of spiramycins, the spiramycin production of clones OSC2 / pSPM75 (1) and OSC2 / pSPM75 (2) was tested by the technique described in Example 15. Analysis of spiramycin production of strain OSC2 was also performed in parallel for comparison. It has thus been observed that the presence of the plasmid pSPM75 significantly increases the spiramycin production of the strain OSC2. This demonstrates that the overexpression of orf28c leads to an increase in spiramycin production and confirms its role as a regulator.

 Spiramycin production of clones OSC2 / pSPM75 (1) and OSC2 / pSPM75 (2) was also analyzed by HPLC (in the same manner as in Example 17.2). Analysis of spiramycin production of strain OSC2 was also performed in parallel for comparison. The results of this analysis are shown in Table 44, the data are expressed in mg per liter of supernatant. The results correspond to the total production of spiramycins (obtained by adding spiramycin I, II and III production).

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Table 44. Spiramycin production of strains derived from OSC2 transformed with pSPM75, (results expressed in mg / l).

<Tb>
<Tb>

Strain <SEP> Spiramycine
<tb> OSC2 <SEP> 50
<tb> OSC2 / pSPM75 (l) <SEP> 120
<tb> OSC2 / pSPM75 <SEP> (2) <SEP> 155
<Tb>

Thus, it is observed that the presence of the plasmid pSPM75 significantly increases the spiramycin production of the strain OSC2. This demonstrates that overexpression of orf28c has a positive effect on spiramycin production.

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List of constructions described in this application List of abbreviations: Am: Ampicillin; Hyg: Hygromycin; Sp: Spiramycin; Ts: Thiostrepton; Cm: Chloramphenicol. Kn: Kanamycin, Apra: apramycin.

<Tb>
<tb> Name <SEP> of <SEP><SEP> Marker <SEP> Main <SEP> characteristics <SEP> Reference
<tb> construction <SEP> of <SEP> selection
<Tb>

pWE15 Am (Wahl, et al., I987)

pWE15 Am (Wahl, et al., I987)

<Tb>
<tb> pWED1 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWE15 <SEP> in <SEP> which <SEP> a <SEP> (Gourmelen <SEP> and <SEP> al.,
<tb> fragment <SEP> HpaI-HpaI <SEP> from <SEP> 4.1 <SEP> kb <SEP> 1998)
<tb> a <SEP> summer <SEP> deleted
<tb> pOJ260 <SEP> Apra <SEP> Conjugative, <SEP> no <SEP> replicative <SEP> in <SEP> (Bierman <SEP> and <SEP> al.,
<tb> Streptomyces <SEP> 1992)
<tb> pHP45 <SEP> Qhyg <SEP> Hyg <SEP> Cassette <SEP> Qhyg <SEP> in <SEP> pHP45. <SEP> (Blondelet-Rouault
<tb> and <SEP> al., <SEP> 1997)
<tb> pKC505 <SEP> Apra <SEP> Cosmid <SEP> (Richardson <SEP> MA <SEP>)
<tb> al., <SEP> 1987)
<tb> pIJ486 <SEP> Ts <SEP> Replicative <SEP> Plasmid <SEP> (Ward <SEP> and <SEP> Al., <SEP> 1986)
<tb> multicopies <SEP> Streptomyces
<tb> pOSint3 <SEP> Am <SEP> ptrc-xis-int <SEP> in <SEP> pTrc99A <SEP> (Raynal <SEP> and <SEP> al., <SEP> 1998)
<tb> pWHM3 <SEP> Am, <SEP> Ts <SEP> Vector <SEP> replication shuttle <SEP><SEP> E. <SEP> (Vara <SEP> and <SEP> al., <SEP> 1989)
<tb> coli / Streptomyces.
<tb> pKOBEG <SEP> Cm <SEP> (Chaveroche <SEP> and <SEP> al.,
<tb> 2000)
<tb> pGP704Not <SEP> Am <SEP> (Chaveroche <SEP> and <SEP> al.,
<tb> 2000)
<tb> pMBL18 <SEP> Am <SEP> (Nakano <SEP> and <SEP> al.,
<tb> 1995)
<tb> pGEM-T <SEP> Easy <SEP> Am <SEP> vector <SEP> E. <SEP> coli <SEP> for <SEP> cloning <SEP> Mezei <SEP> and <SEP> al., <SEP> 1994
<tb> of <SEP> products <SEP> PCR
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 174>

<Tb>
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 1 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 2
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 11 <SEP> Am <SEP> Fragment <SEP> SacI <SEP> of <SEP> pOS49. <SEP> 1 <SEP> Example <SEP> 2
<tb> in <SEP> pUC <SEP> 19. <SEP>
<tb> pOSC49. <SEP> 12 <SEP> Ch <SEP> Fragment <SEP> XhoI <SEP> of <SEP> pOS49. <SEP> 11 <SEP> Example <SEP> 2
<tb> in <SEP> pBC <SEP> SK +
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 14 <SEP> Cm, Hyg <SEP> pOSC49.12 <SEP> with <SEP> the <SEP> gene <SEP> or / 3 <SEP> Example <SEP> 2
<tb> interrupted <SEP> with <SEP> the <SEP> cassette
<tb>#hyg
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 16 <SEP> Apra, <SEP> Hyg <SEP> Insert <SEP> of <SEP> pOS49. <SEP> 14 <SEP> in <SEP> Example <SEP> 2
<tb> pOJ260
<tb> Cm <SEP> Fragment <SEP> BamHI-PstI <SEP> of <SEP> Example <SEP> 3
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 28 <SEP> 3.7kb <SEP> from <SEP> pOS49. <SEP> 1 <SEP> in <SEP> pBC
<tb> SK +
<tb> pOS44. <SEP> 1 <SEP> Apra, <SEP> Sp <SEP> pKC505 <SEP> containing <SEP> a <SEP> insert <SEP> (Pernodet <SEP> and <SEP> al.,
<tb> conferring <SEP><SEP> resistance <SEP><SEP> 1999)
<tb> spiramycin <SEP> in <SEP> S.
<tb> griseofuscus
<tb> pOS44. <SEP> 2 <SEP> Ts, <SEP> Sp <SEP> Fragment <SEP> Sau3AI <SEP> of <SEP> 1.8 <SEP> kb <SEP> Example <SEP> 3
<tb> pOS44. <SEP> 1 <SEP> in <SEP> pIJ486 <SEP>
<tb> pOS44. <SEP> 4. <SEP> Am <SEP> Insert <SEP> of <SEP> pOS44. <SEP> 2 <SEP> in <SEP> Example <SEP> 3
<tb> pUC19
<tb> pSPM5 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> of DNA <SEP> of <SEP> Example <SEP> 3
<tb> S. <SEP> ambofaciens <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> of
<tb> site <SEP> BamHI
<tb> pSPM7 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWEDl <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> of DNA <SEP> of <SEP> Example <SEP> 3
<tb> S. <SEP> ambofaciens <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> of
<tb> site <SEP> BamHI
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 175>

<Tb>
<tb> pOSK1205 <SEP> Hyg <SEP> pBK-CMV <SEP> in <SEP> which <SEP> hyg <SEP> Example <SEP> 5 <SEP>
<tb> replaces <SEP> neo
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 67 <SEP> Apra <SEP> Fragment <SEP> EcoRI-SacI <SEP> of <SEP> Example <SEP> 6
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 1, <SEP> with <SEP> one
<tb> internal <SEP> deletion <SEP> of <SEP> 504
<tb> nucleotides, <SEP> in <SEP> pOJ260
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 88 <SEP> Am <SEP> Fragment <SEP> of <SEP> 3. <SEP> 7 <SEP> kb <SEP> PstI- <SEP> Example <SEP> 7 <SEP>
<tb> EcoRI <SEP> of <SEP> pOS49. <SEP> 1 <SEP> in
<tb> pUC19
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 106 <SEP> Am <SEP> p049.88 <SEP> with <SEP> hyg <SEP> in <SEP> or / 8 <SEP> Example <SEP> 7
<tb> (hyg <SEP> and <SEP> or / 8 <SEP> in <SEP> the <SEP> same
<tb> orientation)
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 120 <SEP> Am <SEP> pOS49.88 <SEP> with <SEP> hyg <SEP> in <SEP> or / 8 <SEP> Example <SEP> 7
<tb> (hyg <SEP> and <SEP> or / 8 <SEP> in <SEP> of
<tb> opposite <SEP> orientations)
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 107 <SEP> Apra, <SEP> Hyg <SEP> Insert <SEP> of <SEP> pOS49.106 <SEP> in <SEP> Example <SEP> 7
<tb> pOJ260
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 32 <SEP> Am, <SEP> Kn <SEP> Fragment <SEP> of <SEP> 1.5 <SEP> kb <SEP> internal <SEP> to <SEP> Example <SEP> 8 <SEP>
<tb> orf10 <SEP> in <SEP> pCR2.1-TOPO
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 43 <SEP> Am, <SEP> Kn <SEP> pOS49. <SEP> 32 <SEP> with <SEP> hyg <SEP> in <SEP> or / 70 <SEP> Example <SEP> 8
<tb> (hyg <SEP> and <SEP> orflO <SEP> in <SEP> the same <SEP>
<tb> orientation)
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 44 <SEP> Am, <SEP> Kn <SEP> pOS49. <SEP> 32 <SEP> with <SEP> hyg <SEP> in <SEP> or / 76 '<SEP> Example <SEP> 8 <SEP>
<tb> (hyg <SEP> and <SEP> or / 70 <SEP> in <SEP> of
<tb> opposite <SEP> orientations)
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 50 <SEP> Apra, <SEP> Hyg <SEP> Insert <SEP> of <SEP> pOS49. <SEP> 43 <SEP> in <SEP> Example <SEP> 8 <SEP>
<tb> pOJ260
<tb> pWHM3Hyg <SEP> Am, <SEP> Hyg <SEP> pWHM3 <SEP> in <SEP> where <SEP> tsr <SEP> is <SEP> Example <SEP> 10
<tb> replaced <SEP> with <SEP> Hyg
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 176>

<Tb>
<tb> pOSV508 <SEP> Am, <SEP> Ts <SEP> ptrc-xis-int <SEP> in <SEP> pWHM3 <SEP> Example <SEP> 9
<Tb>

pattlS2hyg+ Cm, Hyg Cassette att1Ohyg+ dans pBC Exemple 9

pattlS2hyg + Cm, Hyg Cassette att1Ohyg + in pBC Example 9

<Tb>
<tb> SK + <SEP> of which <SEP> the <SEP> site <SEP> HindIII <SEP> has <SEP> been
<tb> deleted
<Tb>

patt3naac- Cm, Gn Cassette att32aac- dans pBC Exemple 9

patt3naac- Cm, Gn Cassette att32aac- in pBC Example 9

<Tb>
<tb> SK + <SEP> of which <SEP> the <SEP> site <SEP> HindIII <SEP> has <SEP> been
<tb> deleted
<tb> pOSV510 <SEP> Am, <SEP> Hyg <SEP> pro <SEP> pra-Amh <SEP> in <SEP> Example <SEP> 10
<tb> pWHM3Hyg
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 99 <SEP> Am <SEP> Fragment <SEP> EcoRI-BamHI <SEP> of <SEP> Example <SEP> 10
<tb> 4.5 <SEP> kb <SEP> of <SEP> pSPM5 <SEP> in <SEP> pUC19
<tb> pOSK1102 <SEP> Am, <SEP> Apra <SEP> pGP704Not <SEP> containing <SEP><SEP> Example <SEP> 10
<tb> tape <SEP> att3QaacpSPM17 <SEP> Am, <SEP> Apra <SEP> pOS49. <SEP> 99 <SEP> in <SEP> where <SEP> or / 2 <SEP> is <SEP> Example <SEP> 10
<tb> interrupted <SEP> with <SEP> the <SEP> cassette
<tb> att3QaacpSPM21 <SEP> Hyg, <SEP> Apra <SEP> pOSK1205 <SEP> containing <SEP> insert <SEP> Example <SEP> 10
<tb> EcoRI-XbaI <SEP> of <SEP> pSPM17 <SEP> (in
<tb> which <SEP> orf2 <SEP> is <SEP> interrupted
<tb> by <SEP> the <SEP> cassette <SEP> att3 # aac-)
<tb> pSPM502 <SEP> Am <SEP> Fragment <SEP> BglII <SEP> of <SEP> 15.1 <SEP> kb <SEP> of <SEP> Example <SEP> 11
<tb> pSPM7danspMBL18
<tb> pSPM504 <SEP> Hyg <SEP> Insert <SEP> of <SEP> pSPM502 <SEP> in <SEP> Example <SEP> 11
<tb> pOSK1205
<tb> pSPM507 <SEP> Hyg, <SEP> Apra <SEP> pSPM504 <SEP> in <SEP> which <SEP> or / 72 <SEP> Example <SEP> 11
<tb> is <SEP> interrupted <SEP> with <SEP> the <SEP> cassette
<tb> att3 # aacpSPM508 <SEP> Hyg, <SEP> Apra <SEP> pSPM504 <SEP> in <SEP> which <SEP> orfl3c <SEP> Example <SEP> 12
<tb> is <SEP> interrupted <SEP> with <SEP> the <SEP> cassette
<tb> att3Qaac-
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 177>

<Tb>
<tb> pSPM509 <SEP> Hyg, <SEP> Apra <SEP> pSPM504 <SEP> in <SEP> which <SEP> orfl4 <SEP> Example <SEP> 13
<tb> is <SEP> interrupted <SEP> with <SEP> the <SEP> cassette
<tb> att3QaacpBXLllll <SEP> Am <SEP> Fragment <SEP> of <SEP> 1.11 <SEP> kb <SEP> Example <SEP> 14
<tb> containing <SEP> or / 6 * <SEP> amplified <SEP> by
<tb> PCR <SEP> to <SEP> from <SEP> of <SEP> pSPM7, <SEP> in
<tb> the <SEP> vector <SEP> pGEM-T <SEP> Easy
<tb> pBXL1112 <SEP> Am, <SEP> Hyg <SEP> pBXLllll <SEP> in <SEP> which <SEP> the <SEP> Example <SEP> 14
<tb> cassette <SEP> attlQhyg + <SEP> a <SEP> summer
<tb> introduced <SEP> after <SEP> deletion <SEP> of
<tb> 120 <SEP> pb <SEP> in <SEP> the <SEP> sequence
<tb> coding <SEP> of <SEP> gene <SEP> or / 6 *
<tb> pBXLI <SEP> 113 <SEP> Apra, <SEP> Hyg <SEP> Insert <SEP> PstI <SEP> of <SEP> 3. <SEP> 7 <SEP> kb <SEP> of <SEP> Example <SEP> 14
<tb> pBXLl <SEP> 112 <SEP> in <SEP> pOJ260
<tb> pSPM520 <SEP> Am <SEP> Fragment <SEP> of <SEP> PCR <SEP> amplified <SEP> by <SEP> Example <SEP> 17
<tb> the <SEP> oligonucleotides <SEP> EDR39EDR42 <SEP> in <SEP> pGEM-T <SEP> Easy
<tb> pSPM521 <SEP> Am <SEP> Fragment <SEP> of <SEP> PCR <SEP> amplified <SEP> by <SEP> Example <SEP> 17
<tb> the <SEP> oligonucleotides <SEP> EDR40EDR42 <SEP> in <SEP> pGEM-T <SEP> Easy
<tb> pSPM522 <SEP> Am <SEP> Fragment <SEP> of <SEP> PCR <SEP> amplified <SEP> by <SEP> Example <SEP> 17
<tb> the <SEP> oligonucleotides <SEP> EDR41EDR42 <SEP> in <SEP> pGEM-T <SEP> Easy
<tb> pUWL201 <SEP> Am, Ts <SEP> (Doumith <SEP> and <SEP> al.,
<tb> 2000)
<tb> pSPM523 <SEP> Am, <SEP> Ts <SEP> Fragment <SEP> HindIII-BamHI <SEP> of <SEP> Example <SEP> 17
<tb> the <SEP> insert of the <SEP> plasmid <SEP> pSPM520
<tb> in <SEP> the <SEP> vector <SEP> pUWL201
<tb> pSPM524 <SEP> Am, <SEP> Ts <SEP> Fragment <SEP> HindIII-BamHI <SEP> of <SEP> Example <SEP> 17
<tb> the <SEP> insert of the <SEP> plasmid <SEP> pSPM521
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 178>

<Tb>
<tb> in <SEP> the <SEP> vector <SEP> pUWL201
<tb> pSPM525 <SEP> Am, <SEP> Ts <SEP> Fragment <SEP> HindIII-BamHI <SEP> of <SEP> Example <SEP> 17
<tb> the <SEP> insert of the <SEP> plasmid <SEP> pSPM522
<tb> in <SEP> the <SEP> vector <SEP> pUWL201
<tb> pSPM527 <SEP> Am <SEP> pSPM521 <SEP> with <SEP><SEP> offset <SEP> Example <SEP> 17
<tb> frame <SEP> from <SEP> read <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> from
<tb> site <SEP> XhoI <SEP>
<tb> pSPM528 <SEP> Am <SEP>, <SE> Ts <SEP> Fragment <SEP> HindIII-BamHI <SEP> of <SEP> Example <SEP> 17
<tb> the <SEP> insert of the <SEP> plasmid <SEP> pSPM527
<tb> in <SEP> the <SEP> vector <SEP> pUWL201 <SEP>
<tb> pVF <SEP> 10.4 <SEP> (Vara <SEP> and <SEP> al., <SEP> 1985 <SEP>;
<tb> Lacalle <SEP> and <SEP> al., <SEP> 1989)
<tb> pPM803 <SEP> Ts <SEP> (Mazodier, P. <SEP> and <SEP> al.,
<tb> 1989)
<tb> pGEM-T-pac- <SEP> Am <SEP> Cassette <SEP> pac-oriT <SEP> (amplified <SEP> Example <SEP> 18
<tb> oriT <SEP> by <SEP> PCR <SEP> to <SEP> from <SEP> of <SEP> pVF <SEP> 10.4
<tb> and <SEP> pPM803) <SEP> in <SEP> in <SEP> pGEMT <SEP> Easy <SEP>
<tb> pWED2 <SEP> Am <SEP> Cassette <SEP> pac-oriT <SEP> obtained <SEP> to <SEP> Example <SEP> 18
<tb> from <SEP> of <SEP> pGEM-T-pac-oriT
<tb> inserted <SEP> in <SEP> pWEDl
<tb> pSPM34 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM35 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM36 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM37 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 179>

<Tb>
<tb> pSPM38 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM39 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM40 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM41 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM42 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM43 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM44 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM45 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM47 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM48 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM50 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM51 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM52 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM53 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM55 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 180>

<Tb>
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM56 <SEP> Am <SEP> pWED2 <SEP> with <SEP> insert <SEP> at <SEP> level <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> of the <SEP><SEP> BamHI site
<tb> pSPM58 <SEP> Kn <SEP> Fragment <SEP> PstI-PstI <SEP> of about <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> 6kb <SEP> of <SEP> the <SEP> insert of <SEP> pSPM36
<tb> in <SEP> pBK-CMV
<tb> pSPM72 <SEP> Kn <SEP> Fragment <SEP> StuI-StuI <SEP> of about <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> 10 <SEP> kb <SEP> of <SEP> the <SEP> insert of <SEP> pSPM36
<tb> cloned <SEP> in <SEP> pBK-CMV
<tb> pSPM73 <SEP> Cm <SEP> Fragment <SEP> EcoRI-HindIII <SEP> of <SEP> Example <SEP> 19
<tb> the <SEP> insert of <SEP> pSPM72 <SEP> in <SEP> pBCSK +
<tb> pSPM515 <SEP> Am <SEP> Fragment <SEP> of <SEP> PCR <SEP> amplified <SEP> by <SEP> Example <SEP> 22
<tb> EDR31-EDR37 <SEP> in <SEP> pGEM-T
<tb> easy
<tb> pSPM519 <SEP> Am, <SEP> Ts <SEP> Insert <SEP> HindIII / XbaI <SEP> of <SEP> Example <SEP> 22
<tb> pSPM515 <SEP> in <SEP> pUWL201
<tb> pOS49. <SEP> 52 <SEP> Apra <SEP><SEP><SEP> coding sequence of <SEP> tylB <SEP> under <SEP> Example <SEP> 23
<tb><SEP> control of <SEP> promoter <SEP> ermE *
<tb> in <SEP> the <SEP> plasmid <SEP> pKC1218
<tb> pSPM74 <SEP> Am <SEP> Fragment <SEP> of <SEP> PCR <SEP> amplified <SEP> by <SEP> Example <SEP> 24
<tb> KF30-KF31 <SEP> in <SEP> pGEM-T
<tb> easy
<tb> pSPM75 <SEP> Am, <SEP> Ts <SEP> Insert <SEP> HindIII / BamHI <SEP> of <SEP> Example <SEP> 24
<tb> pSPM74 <SEP> in <SEP> pUWL201
<Tb>

<Desc / Clms Page number 181>

Deposit of biological material
The following organizations were registered on July 10, 2002 with the National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms (CNCM), 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, according to the provisions of the Budapest Treaty.

 - Strain OSC2 under the registration number 1-2908.

 Strain SPM501 under the registration number 1-2909.

 - strain SPM502 under the registration number 1-2910.

 Strain SPM507 under the registration number 1-2911.

 Strain SPM508 under the registration number 1-2912.

 - strain SPM509 under the registration number 1-2913.

 Strain SPM21 under the registration number 1-2914.

 - strain SPM22 under the registration number 1-2915.

 - OS49 strain. 67 under the registration number 1-2916.

 - OS49 strain. 107 under the registration number 1-2917.

 Escherichia coli strain DH5a containing the plasmid pOS44. 4 under the registration number 1-2918.

The following organizations were registered on February 26, 2003 with the
National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms (CNCM), 25 rue du Docteur
Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, according to the provisions of the Budapest Treaty.

 Strain SPM502 pSPM525 under the registration number 1-2977.

<Desc / Clms Page number 182>

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Claims (89)

A polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins, characterized in that the sequence of said polynucleotide is: (a) one of the sequences SEQ ID N 3.5, 7.9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 , 21, 23, 25, 28, 30.34, 36.40, 43.45, 47.49, 53.60, 62.64, 66.68, 70.72, 74.76, 78.80, 82 , 84, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 118, and 120, (b) one of the sequences consisting of the variants of sequences (a), (c) one of the sequences derived from sequences (a) and (b) because of of the degeneracy of the genetic code.  A polynucleotide hybridizing under high stringency hybridization conditions to at least one of the polynucleotides of claim 1.  A polynucleotide having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 98% nucleotide identity with a polynucleotide comprising at least 10, 12, 15, 18, 20 to 25, 30, 40, 50, 60.70, 80.90, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, 1050, 1100, 1150, 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350, 1400, 1450, 1500, 1550, 1600, 1650, 1700, 1750, 1800, 1850 or 1900 consecutive nucleotides of a polynucleotide according to claim 1.  4. Polynucleotide according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that it is isolated from a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces.  5. Polynucleotide according to claim 2,3 or 4 characterized in that it encodes a protein involved in the biosynthesis of a macrolide.  6. A polynucleotide according to claim 2, 4 or 5 characterized in that it encodes a protein having a similar activity to the protein encoded by the polynucleotide with which it hybridizes or has the identity. <Desc / Clms Page number 192>  A polypeptide resulting from the expression of a polynucleotide according to claim 1, 2,3, 4,5 or 6.  8. A polypeptide involved in the biosynthesis of spiramycins, characterized in that the sequence of said polypeptide is: (a) one of the sequences SEQ ID N 4,6, 8,10, 12,14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, 35, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 117, 119 and 121, (b) one of the sequences as defined in (a) except that throughout said sequence one or more amino acids have been substituted, inserted or deleted without affecting its functional properties, (c) one of the sequences consisting of the variants of the sequences (a). ) and B).  9. A polypeptide having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 98% amino acid identity with a polypeptide comprising at least 10, 15, 20, 30 to 40, 50, 60, 70 , 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320, 340, 360, 380, 400, 420, 440, 460, 480, 500, 520, 540, 560, 580, 600, 620 or 640 amino acids consecutive of a polypeptide according to claim 8.  10. Polypeptide according to claim 9 characterized in that it is isolated from a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces.  11. Polypeptide according to claim 9 or 10 characterized in that it encodes a protein involved in the biosynthesis of a macrolide.  A polypeptide according to claim 9, 10 or 11 characterized in that it has an activity similar to that of the polypeptide with which it shares the identity. <Desc / Clms Page number 193>  13. Recombinant DNA characterized in that it comprises at least one polynucleotide according to one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.  14. recombinant DNA according to claim 13 characterized in that said recombinant DNA is included in a vector.  15. Recombinant DNA according to claim 14 characterized in that said vector is selected from bacteriophages, plasmids, phagemids, integrative vectors, fosmids, cosmids, shuttle vectors, BAC or PAC.  16. Recombinant DNA according to claim 15, characterized in that it is chosen from pOS49. 1, pOS49. 11, pOSC49. 12, pOS49. 14, pOS49. 16, pOS49.28, pOS44. 1, pOS44. 2, pOS44. 4, pSPM5, pSPM7, pOS49. 67, pOS49. 88, pOS49.106, pOS49. 120, pOS49. 107, pOS49. 32, pOS49. 43, pOS49. 44, pOS49. 50, pOS49. 99, pSPM17, pSPM21, pSPM502, pSPM504, pSPM507, pSPM508, pSPM509, pSPM1, pBXL1111, pBXL1112, pBXL1113, pSPM520, pSPM521, pSPM522, pSPM523, pSPM524, pSPM525, pSPM527, pSPM528, pSPM34, pSPM35, pSPM36, pSPM37, pSPM38, pSPM39, pSPM40, pSPM41, pSPM42, pSPM43, pSPM44, pSPM45, pSPM47, pSPM48, pSPM50, pSPM51, pSPM52, pSPM53, pSPM55, pSPM56, pSPM58, pSPM72, pSPM73, pSPM515, pSPM519, pSPM74 and pSPM75.  17. An expression vector characterized in that it comprises at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide according to claim 7,8, 9,10, 11 or 12.  An expression system comprising an appropriate expression vector and a host cell for expression of one or more polypeptides according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12. <Desc / Clms Page number 194>  19. Expression system according to claim 18, characterized in that it is chosen from prokaryotic expression systems or eukaryotic expression systems.  20. Expression system according to claim 19, characterized in that it is chosen from among the expression systems in the bacterium E. coli, the baculovirus expression systems allowing expression in insect cells, the d expression for expression in yeast cells, expression systems allowing expression in mammalian cells.  21. Host cell into which at least one polynucleotide and / or at least one recombinant DNA and / or at least one expression vector according to one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13 has been introduced. , 14, 15, 16 or 17.  22. A process for producing a polypeptide according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 characterized in that said method comprises the following steps: a) inserting at least one nucleic acid encoding said polypeptide into an appropriate vector; b) culturing, in a suitable culture medium, a host cell previously transformed or transfected with the vector of step a); c) recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract; d) separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained in step c), said polypeptide; e) where appropriate, characterizing the recombinant polypeptide produced.  23. Microorganism blocked in one step of the biosynthetic pathway of at least one macrolide. <Desc / Clms Page number 195>  24. Microorganism according to claim 23 characterized in that it is obtained by inactivating the function of at least one protein involved in the biosynthesis of this or these macrolides in a microorganism producing this or these macrolide.  25. The microorganism according to claim 24, characterized in that the inactivation of this or these proteins is carried out by mutagenesis in the gene (s) coding for said protein (s) or by expression of one or more antisense RNA complementary to said protein (s). RNA or messenger RNAs encoding said protein (s).  26. The microorganism according to claim 25, characterized in that the inactivation of this or these proteins is carried out by mutagenesis by irradiation, by the action of a mutagenic chemical agent, by site-directed mutagenesis or by gene replacement.  27. Microorganism according to claim 25 or 26 characterized in that the mutagenesis (s) are carried out in vitro or in situ, by deletion, substitution, deletion and / or addition of one or more bases in the gene (s) under consideration or by inactivation. gene.  28. Microorganism according to claim 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27 characterized in that said microorganism is a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces.  29. Microorganism according to claim 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 or 28 characterized in that the macrolide is spiramycin.  30. The microorganism according to claim 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 or 29 characterized in that said microorganism is a strain of S. ambofaciens. <Desc / Clms Page number 196>  31. The microorganism according to claim 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 characterized in that the mutagenesis is carried out in at least one gene comprising a sequence according to one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4. , 5 or 6.  Microorganism according to claim 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31, characterized in that the mutagenesis is carried out in one or more genes comprising one of the sequences corresponding to one or more of the sequences SEQ ID N 3.5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40, 43, 45, 47, 49, 53, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70.72, 74.76, 78.80, 82.84, 107.109, 111.113, 115.118, and 120, 33. The microorganism according to claim 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 or 32, characterized in that the mutagenesis consists of the gene inactivation of a gene comprising a sequence corresponding to the sequence SEQ ID No. 13.  34. Strains of Streptomyces ambofaciens characterized in that it is a strain selected from: - one of the strains deposited with the National Collection of Cultures de Microorganisms (CNCM) on July 10, 2002 under the registration number I-2909,1-2911,1-2912,1-2913,1-2914,1-2915,1-2916 or 1-2917 - strain SPM510.  35. Process for the preparation of a macrolide biosynthesis intermediate, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) cultivating, in a suitable culture medium, a microorganism according to one of claims 23, 24, 25, 26 , 27,28, 29,30, 31,32, 33 or 34, b) recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract, c) separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained in step b), said biosynthetic intermediate. <Desc / Clms Page number 197>  36. Process for the preparation of a molecule derived from a macrolide, characterized in that a biosynthetic intermediate is prepared according to the process of claim 35 and the intermediate thus produced is modified.  37. Preparation process according to claim 36, characterized in that said intermediate is modified chemically, biochemically, enzymatically and / or microbiologically.  38. Preparation process according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that one introduces into said microorganism one or more genes encoding proteins capable of modifying the intermediate by using it as a substrate.  39. Preparation process according to claim 36, 37 or 38 characterized in that the macrolide is spiramycin.  40. Preparation process according to claim 36, 37, 38 or 39 characterized in that the microorganism used is a strain of S. ambofaciens.  41. Microorganism producing spiramycin I but not producing spiramycin II and III.  42. Microorganism according to claim 41, characterized in that it comprises all the genes necessary for the biosynthesis of spiramycin I, but the gene comprising the sequence SEQ ID No. 13 or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived therefrom due to the degeneracy of the genetic code and encoding a polypeptide SEQ ID N 14 or one of its variants is not expressed or has been rendered inactive.  43. The microorganism according to claim 42, characterized in that said inactivation is carried out by mutagenesis in the gene encoding said protein or by <Desc / Clms Page number 198>  the expression of an antisense RNA complementary to the messenger RNA encoding said protein.  44. The microorganism according to claim 43, characterized in that said mutagenesis is carried out in the promoter of this gene, in the coding sequence or in a non-coding sequence so as to inactivate the coded protein or to prevent its expression or translation. .  45. The microorganism according to claim 43 or 44, characterized in that the mutagenesis is carried out by irradiation, by the action of a mutagenic chemical agent, by site-directed mutagenesis or by gene replacement.  46. Microorganism according to claim 43, 44 or 45 characterized in that the mutagenesis is performed in vitro or in situ, by deletion, substitution, deletion and / or addition of one or more bases in the gene or by gene inactivation.  47. Microorganism according to claim 41 or 42, characterized in that said microorganism is obtained by expressing the genes of the spiramycin biosynthetic pathway without these comprising the gene comprising the sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 13 or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived from them because of the degeneracy of the genetic code and encoding a polypeptide of sequence SEQ ID No. 14 or one of its variants.  48. The microorganism according to claim 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 or 47 characterized in that said microorganism is a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces.  49. The microorganism according to claim 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 or 48 characterized in that said microorganism is obtained from a starting strain producing spiramycins I, II and III. <Desc / Clms Page number 199>  50. The microorganism according to claim 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 or 49, characterized in that it is obtained by mutagenesis in a gene comprising the sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 13 or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived from them because of the degeneracy of the genetic code and encoding a polypeptide of sequence SEQ ID N 14 or one of its variants having the same function.  51. The microorganism according to claim 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 or 50, characterized in that said microorganism is obtained from a strain of S. ambofaciens producing spiramycins I, II and III, in which gene inactivation of the gene comprising the sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 13 or one of the sequences derived therefrom is performed because of the degeneracy of the genetic code.  52. S. ambofaciens strain characterized in that it is the strain deposited with the National Collection of Microorganism Cultures (CNCM) on July 10, 2002 under the registration number 1-2910.  53. A method for producing spiramycin I, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: (a) culturing, in a suitable culture medium, a microorganism according to one of claims 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 or 52, (b) recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract, (c) separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained in step b), spiramycin I.  54. Use of a polynucleotide according to one of claims 1, 2,3, 4, 5 or 6 to improve the production of macrolides of a microorganism. <Desc / Clms Page number 200>  55. A mutant macrolide-producing microorganism characterized in that it possesses a genetic modification in at least one gene comprising a sequence according to one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 and / or that it overexpresses at least at least one gene comprising a sequence according to one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.  56. The mutant microorganism according to claim 55, characterized in that the genetic modification consists of a deletion, a substitution, a deletion and / or addition of one or more bases in the gene or genes considered for the purpose of expressing one or more proteins having a higher activity or to express a higher level of this or these proteins.  57. The mutant microorganism according to claim 55, characterized in that the overexpression of the gene in question is obtained by increasing the number of copies of this gene and / or by placing a promoter that is more active than the wild-type promoter.  58. Mutant microorganism according to claim 55 or 57, characterized in that the overexpression of the gene in question is obtained by transforming a macrolide-producing microorganism with a recombinant DNA construct according to claim 13, 14 or 17, allowing the overexpression of this gene. .  59. The mutant microorganism according to claim 55, 56, 57 or 58 characterized in that the genetic modification is carried out in one or more genes comprising one of the sequences corresponding to one or more of the sequences SEQ ID N 3.5, 7.9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40, 43, 45, 47, 49, 53, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 82, 84, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 118, and 120, or one of its variants or one of the sequences derived therefrom due to the degeneracy of the genetic code.  60. The mutant microorganism according to claim 55,56, 57,58 or 59 characterized the microorganism overexpresses one or more genes comprising one of <Desc / Clms Page number 201>  sequences corresponding to one or more of the sequences SEQ ID N 3.5, 7.9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40, 43, 45, 47 , 49, 53, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 118, and 120, or any of its variants or one of the sequences derived from them because of the degeneracy of the genetic code.  61. The mutant microorganism according to claim 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 or 60 characterized in that said microorganism is a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces.  62. Mutant microorganism according to claim 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 or 61, characterized in that the macrolide is spiramycin.  63. The mutant microorganism according to claim 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 or 62 characterized in that said microorganism is a S. ambofaciens strains.  64. Process for the production of macrolides, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: (a) culturing, in a suitable culture medium, a microorganism according to one of claims 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 , 61, 62, 63 or 64, (b) recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract, (c) separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained in step b ), the one or more macrolides produced.  65. Use of a sequence and / or a recombinant DNA and / or a vector according to one of claims 1, 2,3, 4,5, 6,7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14,15, 16 or 17 for the preparation of hybrid antibiotics.  66. Use of at least one polynucleotide and / or at least one recombinant DNA and / or at least one expression vector and / or at least one polypeptide <Desc / Clms Page number 202>  and / or at least one host cell according to one of claims 1, 2, 3,4, 5,6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 21 to achieve one or more bioconversions.  67. A polynucleotide characterized in that it is a polynucleotide complementary to one of the polynucleotides according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.  68. Microorganism producing at least one spiramycin characterized in that it overexpresses: a gene capable of being obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the following pair of primers: 5 'AAGCTTGTGTGCCCGGTGTACCTGGGGAGC 3 (SEQ ID NO: 138) and 5 'GGATCCCGCGACGGACACGACCGCCGCGCA 3' (SEQ ID N 139) and as a template the cosmid pSPM36 or the total DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens, or a gene derived therefrom due to the degeneracy of the code genetic.  69. Microorganism according to claim 68 characterized in that it is a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces.  70. Microorganism according to claim 68 or 69 characterized in that it is a bacterium of the species Streptomyces ambofaciens.  71. Microorganism according to claim 68, 69 or 70 characterized in that the overexpression of said gene is obtained by transformation of said microorganism with an expression vector.  72. Strains of Streptomyces ambofaciens characterized in that it is the strain OSC2 / pSPM75 (I) or strain OSC2 / pSPM75 (2).  73. Recombinant DNA characterized in that it comprises: a polynucleotide capable of being obtained by polymerase chain reaction using the pair of primers with the following sequence: 5 ' AAGCTTGTGTGCCCGGTGTACCTGGGGAGC 3 '(SEQ ID N 13 8) and 5' <Desc / Clms Page number 203> 1460, 1470, 1480, 1490 or 1500 consecutive nucleotides of this polynucleotide. 850,900, 950,1000, 1050, 1100, 1150, 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350, 1400, 1450, 100,150, 200,250, 300,350, 400,450, 500,550, 600,650, 700,750, 800, GGATCCCGCGACGGACACGACCGCCGCGCA 3 '(SEQ ID N 139) and as a template the cosmid pSPM36 or the total DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens, or a fragment of at least 10, 12, 15, 18, 20 at 25,30, 40,50 60.70, 80.90,  74. Recombinant DNA according to claim 73 characterized in that it is a vector.  75. Recombinant DNA according to claim 73 or 74, characterized in that it is an expression vector.  76. Host cell into which at least one recombinant DNA has been introduced according to one of claims 73, 74 or 75.  77. A process for producing a polypeptide characterized in that said method comprises the following steps: a) transforming a host cell with at least one expression vector according to claim 75; b) culturing, in a suitable culture medium, said host cell; c) recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract; d) separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained in step c), said polypeptide; e) where appropriate, characterizing the recombinant polypeptide produced.  78. Microorganism according to claim 51 characterized in that the gene inactivation is carried out by deletion in phase of the gene or a part of the gene comprising the sequence corresponding to SEQ ID N 13 or one of the sequences derived therefrom. because of the degeneracy of the genetic code. <Desc / Clms Page number 204>  79. Microorganism according to one of claims 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 or 78, characterized in that it overexpresses furthermore: a gene capable of be obtained by polymerase chain reaction using the pair of primers of the following sequence: 5 ' AAGCTTGTGTGCCCGGTGTACCTGGGGAGC 3 '(SEQ ID N 138) and 5' GGATCCCGCGACGGACACGACCGCCGCGCA 3 '(SEQ ID NO: 139) and as a template the cosmid pSPM36 or the total DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens, or a gene derived therefrom due to the degeneracy of the genetic code.  80. Expression vector characterized in that the polynucleotide of sequence SEQ ID No. 47 or a polynucleotide derived from it because of the degeneracy of the genetic code is placed under the control of a promoter allowing the expression of the protein encoded by the said polynucleotide in Streptomyces ambofaciens.  81. Expression vector according to claim 80, characterized in that it is plasmid pSPM524 or pSPM525.  82. Streptomyces ambofaciens strain transformed with a vector according to claim 80 or 81.  83. Microorganism according to one of claims 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 78 or 79, characterized in that it further overexpresses the SEQ ID coding sequence gene. N 47 or a coding sequence derived therefrom due to the degeneracy of the genetic code.  84. Microorganism according to claim 83 characterized in that it is the strain SPM502 pSPM525 deposited with the National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms (CNCM) Institut Pasteur, 25, rue du Docteur Roux <Desc / Clms Page number 205>  75724 Paris Cedex 15, France, on February 26, 2003 under the registration number 1-2977.  85. A method for producing spiramycin (s), characterized in that it comprises the following steps: (a) culturing, in a suitable culture medium, a microorganism according to one of claims 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 78, 79, 82, 83 or 84, (b) recovering the conditioned culture medium or a cell extract, (c) separating and purifying from said culture medium or from the cell extract obtained at step b), spiramycins.  86. A polypeptide characterized in that its sequence comprises the sequence SEQ ID N 112.  87. A polypeptide characterized in that its sequence corresponds to the translated sequence of the coding sequence of: - a gene capable of being obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the pair of primers with the following sequence: 'AAGCTTGTGTGCCCGGTGTACCTGGGGAGC 3' (SEQ ID NO: 138) and 5 'GGATCCCGCGACGGACACGACCGCCGCGCA 3' (SEQ ID NO: 139) and as a template the cosmid pSPM36 or the total DNA of Streptomyces ambofaciens, or a gene derived therefrom due to of the degeneracy of the genetic code.  88. Expression vector for the expression of a polypeptide according to claim 86 or 87 in Streptomyces ambofaciens.  89. Expression vector according to claim 88, characterized in that it is plasmid pSPM75.