1-METHOXYPYRENE AND 1,6-DIMETHOXYPYRENE - 2 NOVEL METABOLITES IN FUNGAL METABOLISM OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS

The metabolism of pyrene by Penicillium glabrum strain TW 9424, a stra in isolated from a site contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocar bons (PAHs) was investigated in submerged cultures. The metabolites fo rmed were identified as 1-hydroxypyrene, 1,6- and 1,8-dihydroxypyrene, 1,6- and 1,8-pyrenequinone, and 1-pyrenyl sulfate, In addition, two n ew metabolites were isolated and identified by UV, H-1 nuclear magneti c resonance, and mass spectroscopy as 1-methoxypyrene and 1,6-dimethox ypyrene. Experiments with [methyl-H-3]S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) re vealed that SAM is the coenzyme that provides the methyl group for the methyltransferase involved, To our knowledge, this is the first time that methoxylated metabolites of PAHs have been isolated from fungal c ultures.