Metabolic Products of Aspergillus terreus. X. : Biosynthesis of Asterriquinones

Abstract

The biosynthesis of asterriquinones in Aspergillus terreus var. africanus IFO 8835 has been elucidated. Enzymatic activities for the formation of demethyl asterriquinone-D (asterriquinone synthase), prenyltransferase and methyltransferase on asterriquinone were detected in a crude extract of mycelium. Demethyl asterriquinone is biosynthesized from indolepyruvic acid and then methylation of the hydroxyl of group of the quinone moiety occurs.Prenylation proceeds simultaneously at the C-7, C-2 and N-1 positions of the indole moiety.