Biosynthesis of the hemi- and monoterpene moieties of isoprenyl phenyl ethers from the liverwort Trichocolea tomentella

The incorporation of C-13 labelled glucose into trichocolein, deoxytomentel lin, trans-phytol and stigmasterol has been studied in axenic cultures of t he liverwort Trichocolea tomentella. Quantitative C-13 NMR spectroscopic an alysis of the resulting labelling patterns showed that the isoprene units o f the hemi- and monoterpenoid moieties and the diterpene phytol are derived from the methylerythritol phosphate pathway, whereas the isoprene units of stigmasterol are built up via the mevalonic acid pathway. These results in dicate the involvement of both IPP biosynthetic pathways in different cellu lar compartments. A new, hydroperoxy geranyl phenyl ether derivative is als o described. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.