First Y-type actinomycins from Streptomyces with divergent structure-activity relationships for antibacterial and cytotoxic properties.

Streptomyces sp. strain Gö-GS12 was found to produce five novel actinomycins Y(1)-Y(5) (). Their amino acid pattern discloses them as members of a new family of this important class of antibiotics.

Biosynthesis of fungal melanins and their importance for human pathogenic fungi.

For more than 40 years fungi have been known to produce pigments known as melanins. Predominantly these have been dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA)-melanin and dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin. The biochemical and genetical analysis of the biosynthesis pathways have led to the identification of the genes and corresponding enzymes of the pathways.