A-factor is a
protein which is found in the
bacterial
genus Streptomyces. This
protein helps start the production of the
antibiotic streptomycin and the process of
morphological differentiation in
biochemical reactions. It is used in
biotechnology to
induce these reactions in the cells of
mutant strains of
Streptomyces that can't produce it
naturally.
From the BioTech Dictionary at http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/. For further information see the BioTech homenode.