LL-D49194 antibiotics, a novel family of antitumor agents. Taxonomy, fermentation and biological properties.

A novel family of antitumor antibiotics, designated LL-D49194, was isolated from the fermentation broth of an actinomycete strain identified as Streptomyces vinaceus-drappus. LL-D49194 alpha 1 and beta 2 were active against Gram-positive and inactive against Gram-negative bacteria in vitro. The beta 1 component was not active against either Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. These antibiotics exhibited significant in vivo activities against several murine tumors, albeit with differing potencies.