Actinomycetales is an order of Actinobacteria. They are very diverse and contain a variety of subdivisions as well as yet unclassified isolates. This is mainly because some genera are very difficult to classify because of a highly niche dependend phaenotype. For example Nocardia contains several species that are first believed to be distinct species before it was proven that their difference is purely depending on their growth conditions.
Classification difficultActinomycetales are Gram positive, however several species have complex cell wall structures that makes the gram staining unsuitable. Examples: Mycobacteriaceae Pathogenic FamiliaeSeveral Actinomycetales are pathogenic to humans or animals, plants or other cells. Among them, the leading killer of humans is Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Biotechnologically exploited FamiliaeSome species are used in industry and pharma-research because of their properties. Streptomycetaceae have a unique cell morphology, cell cycle and a variety of antibiotics they produce were essential for today's antibiotic discoveries. Corynebacteriaceae, especially Corynebacterium glutamicum is used in biotechnology for production. External links
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