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Research article2012Peer reviewed

Biosynthesis of fomannoxin in the root rotting pathogen Heterobasidion occidentale

Hansson, David; Menkis, Audrius; Olson, Åke; Stenlid, Jan; Broberg, Anders; Karlsson, Magnus

Abstract

Fomannoxin is a biologically active benzohydrofuran, which has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenicity of the root rotting fungus Heterobasidion annosum sensu lato. The biosynthesis of fomannoxin was investigated through an isotopic enrichment study utilizing [1-C-13]glucose as metabolic tracer. C-13 NMR spectroscopic analysis revealed the labeling pattern and showed that the isoprene building block originates from the mevalonic acid pathway, whereas the aromatic motif is formed via the shikimic acid route by elimination of pyruvate from chorismic acid. A natural product, 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)benzaldehyde (1), was isolated and characterized, and was suggested to be a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of fomannoxin and related secondary metabolites previously identified from the H. annosum fungal species complex. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Heterobasidion occidentale; Bondarzewiaceae; Biosynthesis investigation; Benzohydrofuran; Fomannoxin

Published in

Phytochemistry
2012, Volume: 84, pages: 31-39 Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND