The first complete genome sequence of S. avermitilis was completed in 2003.[4] The genome consists of a single chromosome with a linear structure, unlike most bacterial genomes, which exist in the form of circular chromosomes.[5]
Avermectins are industrially derived from the fermentation products of S. avermitilis.[1][6] Avermectin itself was discovered by the Satoshi Ōmura group[6] and first disclosed in Burg et al. 1979.[1] One of the most widely employed drugs against nematode and arthropod infestations is the avermectin derivative ivermectin, as well as abamectin, a widely used insecticide and antihelmintic.
^Kim, S. B.; Goodfellow, M. (2002). "Streptomyces avermitilis sp. nov., nom. Rev., a taxonomic home for the avermectin-producing streptomycetes". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 52 (Pt 6): 2011–2014. doi:10.1099/ijs.0.02265-0. PMID12508861.
^Takahashi, Y.; Matsumoto, A.; Seino, A.; Ueno, J.; Iwai, Y.; Omura, S. (2002). "Streptomyces avermectinius sp. nov., an avermectin-producing strain". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 52 (Pt 6): 2163–2168. doi:10.1099/ijs.0.02237-0. PMID12508884.