An influence of the copy number of biosynthetic gene clusters on the production level of antibiotics in a heterologous host

• Phage φC31 attachment sites were integrated into the genome of S. albus J1074.
• Secondary metabolite production was tested in a panel of four strains.
• Additional copy of secondary metabolite clusters can increase the production up to 700%.
• A new compound could be detected, isolated and the structure was elucidated.

Streptomyces albus J1074 is a well-known host for heterologous expression of secondary metabolites. To further increase its potential and to study the influence of cluster multiplication, additional φC31-attachment site was integrated into its genome using a system for transposon mutagenesis. Four secondary metabolite clusters were expressed in strains with different numbers of attachment sites, ranging from one to three copies of the site. Secondary metabolite production was examined and a new compound could be detected, purified and its structure was elucidated.