Streptomyces is a genus of Actinobacteria. They are Gram-positive, have a high GC-content and can be found predominantly in soil. Most Streptomycetes produce spores.
The complete genome of one of the species, Streptomyces coelicolor, was published in 2002. It contains the largest number of genes of any bacterium characterised so far. Another unique characteristic is that its chromosome is linear instead of circular.
Streptomycetes are characterised by a complex secondary metabolism. They produce a large number of antibiotics that are in clinical use; the now rarely used Streptomycin takes its name directly from the Streptomyces. They are not known to cause disease themselves.
External link