The incorporation of C1 units in the biosynthesis of tuberin and xanthocillin

Abstract

By a combination, particularly, of ²H and ¹³C labelling it is shown that glycine is incorporated into the N-formyl group of tuberin (1) with stereospecific loss of the 2-pro-S proton whereas both C-2 protons are retained in the O-methyl group, but there is also non-stereospecific loss of both protons in the formation of both C₁ groups; evidence is presented that the isonitrile carbon atoms in the xanthocillin (2) do not derive via the C₁-tetrahydrofolate pool.