BIOSYNTHESIS OF DIPLOSPORIN BY DIPLODIA-MACROSPORA - RING FORMATION INVOLVING METHIONINE-DERIVED CARBON-ATOMS

The biosynthesis of diplosporin, a metabolite produced by Diplodia macrospora, has been studied utilizing both 14C- and 13C-labelled precursors. The results indicate that diplosporin is formed from methionine and a single acetate-derived polyketide chain. This study presents a rare instance in which methionine-derived carbon atoms are incorporated into a carbocyclic and a heterocyclic ring. The inhibitory effect of methionine on the production of diplosporin was noted. A related metabolite, 5-deoxydiplosporin, was isolated from the culture medium of D. macrospora.