Aspyrone biosynthesis in Aspergillus melleus: identification of the intermediates formed on the polyketide synthase (PKS) in the first chain extension cycle leading to crotonate

Abstract

Incorporation studies, using intact cells of Aspergillus melleus and deuterium labelled precursors in association with ²H NMR spectroscopy as method of analysis, have shown that the enzyme-bound intermediates generated in the first two steps of the chain extension cycle catalysed by the aspyrone polyketide synthase (PKS) are thioesters of acetoacetic acid and (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid.