Cytochalasans biosynthesis

Experimental data on the biosynthesis of cytochalasans are available at present only for cytochalasin B (26), cytochalasin D (6), and deoxaphomin (14). The first experiments were carried out with cytochalasin B. 

In the biosynthesis of cytochalasin D (6), an octaketide combines with phenylalanine in the same fashion to form the carbocyclic [1 l]cytochalasan system. Three instead of two methylations on C(6), C(16), and C(18) with -adenosylmethionine are required. 

This volume represents an excellent account of the biosynthesis of the mycotoxins. Dr. Steyn, himself an internationally accepted authority on the subject, has been able to persuade an outstanding group of authors to contribute chapters. This book will not only be the standard reference work for anyone concerned with mycotoxins, but it will also inspire a lot of challenging synthetic chemistry. Recent progress in the synthesis of the cytochalasans admirably illustrates this point. 

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