Streptomyces hygroscopicus

Streptomyces hygroscopicus is a bacterial species in the genus Streptomyces.

Biochemistry
S. hygroscopicus cultures can be used to produce a number of chemical compounds or enzymes.

Immunosuppressants
Sirolimus (also known as rapamycin) is an immunosuppressant that has been isolated from S. hygroscopicus from soil samples from Easter Island. Ascomycin can be used to treat autoimmune diseases and skin diseases, and can help prevent rejection after an organ transplant.

Antibiotics
The antibiotics geldanamycin, hygromycin B, nigericin and validamycin are found in S. hygroscopicus.

Experimental cancer drugs
Indolocarbazoles can be found in S. hygroscopicus cultures.

Anthelmintics and insecticides
Milbemycin and milbemycin oxime can be found in S. hygroscopicus cultures.

Herbicide
S. hygroscopicus also produces the natural herbicide bialaphos.

Enzymes
The enzymes alpha,alpha-trehalose-phosphate synthase (GDP-forming), carboxyvinyl-carboxyphosphonate phosphorylmutase and hygromycin-B kinase can be isolated from cultures of S. hygroscopicus.