Biosynthesis of the sesquiterpenoid tricothecane antibiotics

Abstract

A study of the incorporation of [2-³H₂,2-¹⁴C]-mevalonic acid in trichodermol and tricothecin suggests that the starter methyl groups of the farnesyl pyrophosphate retain their individuality in these sesquiterpenes, that the hydroxylation at C-4 proceeds with retention of configuration, and that a ring-A epoxide such as crotocin may be a precursor of tricothecin.