Strictosidine (isovincoside): the key intermediate in the biosynthesis of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids
Abstract
In contrast to previous assumptions the precursor of monoterpenoid Catharanthus alkaloids, which arises from the enzymatic condensation of tryptamine (I) and secologanin (II), is 3α(S)-strictosidine (isovincoside)(III) and not its 3β(R)-epimer vincoside (IV).