Biosynthesis of the allene (−)-marasin in Marasmius ramealis

Abstract

[1-¹⁴C]-E-dehydromatricaria methyl ester and dimethyl [1-¹⁴C]-deca-4,6,8-triyne-1,10-dioate are incorporated into the allene (−)-marasin in Marasmius ramealis without scrambling of the ¹⁴C label. This and the levels of the incorporations (0.8% and 4.9% respectively) strongly suggests that the above esters, or close relatives, can be converted directly into (−)-marasin in M. ramealis, and that the diyne-allene moiety in this latter compound arises by the rearrangement, under enzymic control, of an alkyltriyne moiety.