Metabolic products of Aspergillus terreus. X. Biosynthesis of asterriquinones.

The biosynthesis of asterriquinones in Aspergillus terreus var. africanus IFO 8835 has been elucidated. Enzymatic activities for the formation of demethyl asterriquinone-D (asterriquinone synthase), prenyltransferase and methyltransferase on asterriquinone were detected in a crude extract of mycelium. Demethyl asterriquinone is biosynthesized from indolepyruvic acid and then methylation of the hydroxyl of group of the quinone moiety occurs.Prenylation proceeds simultaneously at the C-7, C-2 and N-1 positions of the indole moiety.