52. Further Studies on the Biosynthesis of Tabtoxin (Wildfire Toxin): Incorporation of Pyruvate into the β-Lactam Moiety
Pyruvic acid (7) was synthesized and administered to cultures of Pseudomonas syringae pv tabaci.C(2) and C(3) of 7 were incorporated as an intact unit into the β-lactam moiety of tabtoxin (1).The result suggests that the biosynthesis of 1 is proceeding in part along the lysine pathway.The labelling pattern in 1 and an incorporation experiment with α,α'-dideuterated (+/-)-2,6-diaminopimelic acid (19) indicate that the branching in the biosynthesis of 1 occurs before lysine is formed.