The biosynthesis of sclerin

Abstract

The biosynthesis of sclerin, a physiologically active metabolite produced by a Sclerotinia fungus, has been investigated by feeding experiments with [1-¹⁴C]- and [2-¹⁴C]-acetate, and [¹⁴C]formate. As a result, a biosynthetic scheme involving two separate polyacetyl chains is proposed. This mechanism is extended to explain the biosyntheses of the co-metabolites and the possibility of its operating in polyketide biosynthesis more widely than is conceived at present is suggested. It has been shown that the lead tetra-acetate method of decarboxylation can be a useful alternative of Schmidt degradation in tracer studies.