One metabolite, two pathways: convergence of polypropionate biosynthesis in fungi and marine molluscs

Org Lett. 2012 Feb 17;14(4):992-5. doi: 10.1021/ol2032653. Epub 2012 Feb 8.

Abstract

Structural similarity or even the identity of polyketide compounds does not necessarily imply unique biosynthesis. Feeding experiments with a (13)C labeled precursor establish that the C(3) units in 7-methyl-cyercene-1 (1) are derived from intact propionate in the marine mollusc Ercolania funerea. The same compound in the terrestrial fungus Leptosphaeria maculans/Phoma lingam is synthesized by an acetate/SAM pathway thus proving for the first time metabolic convergence of polyketide biosynthesis in eukaryotes. Traditional (1)H-(13)C NMR correlation spectroscopy has been successfully applied to estimate (13)C incorporation in biosynthetic experiments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ascomycota / chemistry
  • Ascomycota / metabolism*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Mollusca / chemistry
  • Mollusca / metabolism*
  • Polyketides / chemistry
  • Polyketides / metabolism
  • Propionates / chemistry*
  • Propionates / metabolism*

Substances

  • Polyketides
  • Propionates