The biosynthesis of triterpenoids of the hopane series in the Eubacteria: A mine of new enzyme reactions

Abstract

Incorporation of 13C labelled acetate or glucose into the hopanoids, a triterpenic series widespread in Eubacteria, threw light on two unique features of terpenoid biochemistry: i) a carbon/carbon linkage between a triterpenic moiety and a D-pentose in the bacteriohopane skeleton and ii) a new biogenetic pathway for the formation of the isoprenic units, fully different from the classical Bloch-Lynen route determined for Eukaryotes and Archaebacteria. © 1993 IUPAC