Is isoprene emitted by plants synthesized via the novel isopentenyl pyrophosphate pathway?

Abstract

The incorporation of deuterium labeled 1-deoxy-D-xylulose into isoprene, emitted by three higher plants upon illumination, was analysed by headspace GC-MS. A high extent of incorporation into isoprene was found, indicating that isoprene is synthesized in higher plants via the novel isopentenyl pyrophosphate pathway, of which 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate is an intermediate. A new chemical synthesis of methyl [1-2H1]-1-deoxy-α/β-D-xyluloside from D-xylulose is presented.