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Biosynthesis of Corynomycolic Acid from Two Molecules of Palmitic Acid

Nature volume 184, pages 1563–1564 (1959)Cite this article

Abstract

CORYNOMYCOLIC acid, C32H64O3, m.p. 70°, [α]D = + 7.5° has been isolated from the lipids of Corynebacterium diphtheriæ 1 and C. ovis 2. Its structure (III, R = H) has been established by degradation3 and confirmed by synthesis: the condensation of two molecules of methyl palmitate (I, R = CH3) in presence of NaH gives the β-ketoester (II, R = CH3) which is reduced by NaBH4 to a mixture of two diastereo-isomers (III, R = CH3)4; one of these has been shown to be racemic methyl corynomycolate5.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut de Biologie Physico-chimique, Paris

    MIREILLE GASTAMBIDE-ODIER & E. LEDERER

  2. Service de Biologie, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Saclay (Seine et Oise)

    MIREILLE GASTAMBIDE-ODIER & E. LEDERER

Authors
  1. MIREILLE GASTAMBIDE-ODIER
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  2. E. LEDERER
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GASTAMBIDE-ODIER, M., LEDERER, E. Biosynthesis of Corynomycolic Acid from Two Molecules of Palmitic Acid. Nature 184, 1563–1564 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1038/1841563b0

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