Streptomyces, Greek Habitats and Novel Pharmaceuticals: A Promising Challenge

• Published in: Microbiology research 2021-12, Vol.12 (4), p.840-846
• Main Authors: Laskaris, Paris, Karagouni, Amalia D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: actinobacteria; Antibiotics; anticancer; Antioxidants; Antiparasitic agents; Antitumor agents; Biodiversity; Biofilms; Cancer therapies; Cytotoxicity; Gram-positive bacteria; Infections; Inhibitors; Metabolites; microbial products; Microorganisms; Natural products; Oxidative stress; Pharmaceuticals; Plant diseases; Protein synthesis; Proteins; Secondary metabolites; Streptomyces; Toxins; Tropical diseases
• ISSN: 2036-7481; 2036-7481
• DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres12040061

Bacteria of the genus Streptomyces produce a very large number of secondary metabolites, many of which are of vital importance to modern medicine. There is great interest in the discovery of novel pharmaceutical compounds derived from strepomycetes, since novel antibiotics, anticancer and compounds for treating other conditions are urgently needed. Greece, as proven by recent research, possesses microbial reservoirs with a high diversity of Streptomyces populations, which provide a rich pool of strains with potential pharmaceutical value. This review examines the compounds of pharmaceutical interest that have been derived from Greek Streptomyces isolates. The compounds reported in the literature include antibiotics, antitumor compounds, biofilm inhibitors, antiparasitics, bacterial toxin production inhibitors and antioxidants. The streptomycete biodiversity of Greek environments remains relatively unexamined and is therefore a very promising resource for potential novel pharmaceuticals.