Biosynthesis of spicifernin, a unique metabolite of the phytopathogenic fungus, Cochliobolus spicifer
Abstract
The biosynthesis of spicifernin 1 has been studied by feeding 13C- and 2H-labelled precursors to Cochliobolus spicifer cultures; the labelling pattern demonstrated by 13C NMR spectroscopic analysis of the enriched products indicates that spicifernin is derived from a single polyketide chain bearing two C-methyl groups from C1 units which undergoes double oxidative C–C bond cleavage and a decarboxylation.