Biosynthetic studies on mycotoxins using multiple stable isotope labelling and NMR spectroscopy

The biosynthesis of terretonin and mevinolin, polyketide metabolites from mycotoxin-producing Aspergillus terreus strains, have been examined by incorporation of precursors multiply-labelled with 13C, 18O, and 2H. A variety of one and two dimensional NMR techniques permit facile spectral assignment and location of labelled sites. The results show that the polyketide parts of both metabolites, terretonin and mevinolin, are assembled by enzymes similar to those of fatty acid biosynthesis and that extensive oxidative transformation occurs in the later stages of biosynthesis. 25 refs.; 8 figs.; 1 table