The biosynthesis of brominated pyrrolnitrin derivatives by Pseudomonas aureofaciens

The mutant strain ACN of Pseudomonas aureofaciens ATCC 15926 produces several bromo derivatives of pyrrolnitrin. Five brominated amino- and three brominated nitrophenyl pyrrole compounds could be isolated, and their structures were established by 1H NMR, UV and mass spectroscopy. The isolated amino compounds showed no biological activity; the nitro derivatives inhibited the growth of Neurospora crassa ATCC 9276, though not as effective as pyrrolnitrin itself. 2-Carboxy-4-(2-amino-3-bromophenyl)pyrrole (X) is demonstrated to be an intermediate in the biosynthesis of brominated pyrrolnitrin; the biosynthetic pathway to bromo derivatives of pyrrolnitrin is discussed.