Tatumine, a peptide from Bacillus brevis Vm4-572-403.

The mutant 572-403 of Bacillus brevis Vm4 was isolated from N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso guanidine (nitrosoguanidine)-treated cultures of the parental strain. The mutant produces tatumine and edeine B when grown in a defined medium at 40 degrees C. Tatumine is composed of spermidine, glycine, isoserine, and an unidentified ninhydrin-positive compound; it has a molecular weight of less than 730 d (edeine A). It is soluble in water and isopropanol. Tatumine has no antimicrobial activity but has selective cytotoxicity against cultured cells of sarcoma origin. This activity is not destroyed by heating for 1 hour at 60 degrees C.