Biosynthesis of the mitomycin antibiotics from 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid

Abstract

The efficient, specific incorporation of isotope from [carboxy-13C]-3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid into the C-6 methyl group of porfiromycin by Streptomyces verticillatus establishes this amino-acid as the biogenetic precursor of the methylbenzoquinone nucleus of the mitomycin antibiotics.