Microbial conversion of anthracyclinones to daunomycin by blocked mutants of Streptomyces coeruleorubidus.

Abstract
Baumycin-negative mutants of S. coeruleorubidus ME130-A4 do not convert daunomycinone to daunomycin and baumycins. They biosynthesize daunomycin from aklavinone and .epsilon.-rhodomycinone, indicating the glycosidation of the aglycone before the synthesis of daunomycinone. The biosynthetic pathway from .epsilon.-rhodomycinone to daunomycin was further confirmed by studying the bioconversion of anthracyclinones and anthracyclines, which are presumed to be intermediates.