THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF THE MACROLIDE ANTIBIOTIC LUCENSOMYCIN

Abstract

The biosynthesis of lucensomycin in cultures of Streptomyces lucensis has been studied using 14C-labelled precursors. The aglycone arises from two propionate and twelve acetate units. One propionate unit provides the chain-initiating unit, whilst the second, involved in chain-extension, undergoes oxidation of its methyl group to form the free carboxyl function of the aglycone.