Biosynthesis halogenated alkaloids

The biosynthesis of organohalogens has seen enormous interest since the first survey, and several examples are mentioned earlier in the present review. Space does not allow for full coverage of this topic, but some additional examples are presented here. The reader is also directed to general reviews on the biosynthesis of marine natural products, many of which contain halogen (2398-2401), terrestrial fungal (basidiomycetes) metabolites (2402), and halogenated alkaloids (2403). 

Gribble GW (2008) Structure and Biosynthesis of Halogenated Alkaloids. In Fattorusso E, Taglialatela-Scafati O (eds) Modem Alkaloids Structure, Isolation, Synthesis and Biology. Wiley, Weinheim, p 591... 

Of the more than 4500 known naturally occurring organohalogen compounds, a large fraction are alkaloids [1,3]. Most of these halogenated pyrroles, indoles, carbazoles, carbolines, tyrosines, and others have a marine origin. The present chapter surveys the occurrence, structure, and biosynthesis of these fascinating natural products. However, given their sheer number, this review focuses mainly on recent examples. 

In this review, we discuss the isolation, structure, physicochemical and spectral data of all bromotyrosine derivatives isolated from marine organisms. The biosynthesis, total synthesis, and bioactivity of the bromotyrosine derivatives are also reviewed. Neither tyrosine derivatives without halogenation, nor indole alkaloids (with or without halogenation), are included in this review. Proteins or peptides containing bromotyrosine units are not included in this review since they are considered as primary metabolites. Cyclopeptides containing halogenated tyrosine units are, however, discussed in this review. 

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