BIOSYNTHETIC STUDIES ON THE MACROLIDE ANTIBIOTIC TURIMYCIN USING ¹⁴C-LABELED PRECURSORS

Abstract

Using a strain of Streptomyces hygroscopicus JA 6599 several ¹⁴C-compounds were investigated as potential precursors of the macrolide antibiotic turimycin followed by partial degradation to localize the radioactivity. L-Methionine-¹⁴C-methyl and n-butyrate-1-¹⁴C were incorporated exclusively and in a specific manner. The incorporation ratios were dependent on the addition time of the precursors. Studies of the incorporation of acylmycaroses and demycarosyl turimycin into the antibiotic are also reported.