155. Antibiotic bleomycin is secreted by:
(1) Bacillus sp.
(2) Aspergillus sp.
(3) Streptomyces sp.
(4) Acremonium sp.

Bleomycin: The Antibiotic Secreted by Acremonium sp.

Bleomycin is a potent antibiotic that has found significant use in cancer treatment, particularly in combination therapies for certain cancers such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma, testicular cancer, and others. One of the key aspects of bleomycin is its microbial origin, and it is produced by the fungus Acremonium sp., which belongs to the family of Aspergillaceae.

The Role of Acremonium sp. in Antibiotic Production

Acremonium is a genus of filamentous fungi, and its species are known to produce a wide variety of bioactive compounds. Among these compounds is bleomycin, an antibiotic that has garnered attention due to its ability to target and bind to DNA, causing strand breaks that interfere with cellular functions. This makes it a valuable therapeutic agent for cancer treatment.

Interestingly, despite the significant use of bleomycin in the medical field, it is important to note that it is not the only antibiotic to come from the Acremonium sp. Other species in the same genus are also known to produce antifungal and antibacterial compounds.

The Mechanism of Action of Bleomycin

Bleomycin works by causing breaks in the DNA of cancer cells. It binds to DNA and generates free radicals, which in turn cause single- and double-strand breaks. This disrupts the replication and transcription processes within the cell, leading to cell death. It is this unique mechanism that makes bleomycin particularly effective against rapidly dividing cancer cells.

Conclusion

While Acremonium sp. is the producer of bleomycin, its use extends far beyond its role as an antibiotic in microbial therapy. In oncology, bleomycin’s ability to interfere with DNA replication has made it a key player in chemotherapy treatments for various cancers. The discovery of this antibiotic from Acremonium highlights the diverse and important role that microorganisms play in the development of pharmaceutical agents.