BIOCHEMISTRY OF THE USTILAGINALES: XIII. OBSERVATIONS ON THE STRUCTURE AND BIOSYNTHESIS OF 4-O-β-D-MANNOPYRANOSYL-D-ERYTHRITOL

Abstract

D-Glucose-6-C14, D-erythrose-4-C14, and D-erythritol-4-C14were used as precursors in the biosynthesis of 4-O-β-D-mannopyranosyl erythritol by Ustilago sp. PRL 627 and the patterns of C14labelling in the products determined. The disaccharide appears to be formed by direct transformation of D-glucose to a D-mannose unit which is then attached to C-4 of D-erythritol.* The labelling of the D-erythritol † portion shows that 80% of C-4 of the molecule is derived from the 6-position of D-glucose.