STUDIES ON THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF β-AMINO ACIDS, THE LIPID MOIETY OF ITURINS A, IN BACILLUS SUBTILIS

Abstract

The biosynthesis of the β-amino acid components of iturins A was studied in comparison to the biosynthesis of fatty acids. Palmitic acid was incorporated into the lipid moiety of iturins A when it was added to the culture medium of the iturin producer Bacillus subtilis. Addition of unlabeled palmitic acid enhanced the formation of straight-chain β-amino acids and addition of valine or leucine increased the production of branched β-amino acids. These mod fications correlated with modifications in the corresponding biosynthesized fatty acids.