LAUSR

In Streptomyces, the onset of antibiotic production and sporulation is coordinated through small diffusible molecules known as γ-butyrolactones (GBLs). These are active in very low amounts, and their extraction and characterization are challenging. Here we describe a rapid, small-scale method for the extraction of GBL from Streptomyces coelicolor, from both solid and liquid cultures, which provides sufficient material for subsequent bioassays and partial characterization. We also present two different bioassay techniques for the detection and quantification of the GBL content in the extracts: the antibiotic bioassay and the kanamycin bioassay.