Biosynthesis of mycophenolic acid. The synthesis of 6-farnesyl-5,7-dihydroxy-4-methylphthalide in a cell-free preparation from Penicillium brevicompactum
Abstract
A dialysed ammonium sulphate fraction of a cellfree preparation from Penicillium brevicompactum catalyses the synthesis of 6-farnesyl-5,7-dihydroxy-4-methylphthalide (10) from 5,7-dihydroxy-4-methylphthalide (1) and either (3RS)mevalonic acid (5) or farnesyl pyrophosphate (8).