ABSTRACT
New sesquiterpene backbones are accessible after biotransformation of presilphiperfolan-8ß-ol synthase (BcBOT2), a fungal sesquiterpene synthase, with non-natural farnesyldiphosphates in which methyl groups are shifted by one position toward the diphosphate terminus. One of the macrocycles formed, a new germacrene A derivative, undergoes a Cope rearrangement to iso-ß-elemene. Three of the new terpenoids show olfactoric properties that range from an intense peppery note to a citrus, ozone-like, and fruity scent.
Subject(s)
Carbon-Carbon Lyases/metabolism , Polyisoprenyl Phosphates/metabolism , Sesquiterpenes/metabolism , Carbon-Carbon Lyases/chemistry , Molecular Structure , Polyisoprenyl Phosphates/chemistry , Sesquiterpenes/chemistry , Substrate SpecificityABSTRACT
The substrate flexibility of eight purified sesquiterpene cyclases was evaluated using six new heteroatom-modified farnesyl pyrophosphates, and the formation of six new heteroatom-modified macrocyclic and tricyclic sesquiterpenoids is described. GC-O analysis revealed that tricyclic tetrahydrofuran exhibits an ethereal, peppery, and camphor-like olfactoric scent.
