Abstract
When Sorangium cellulosum So ce90 is grown without XAD adsorber resin there is a steady state of epothilone A and B biosynthesis and hydroxylation of these products to epothilones E and F. This biotransformation at position C-21 of the thiazole ring is not restricted to producers of epothilones. It is carried out by a substrate induced monooxygenase. Epothilones E and F are further degraded by opening of the lactone ring by an esterase. Steps of degradation of different strains of S. cellulosum are compared.
