Biosynthesis of radiolabeled phomopsin by Phomopsis leptostromiformis

[14C]phomopsin and [36Cl]phomopsin were synthesized by Phomopsis leptostromiformis in liquid cultures containing various labeled compounds. [U-14C]isoleucine, [U-14C]phenylalanine, and [U-14C]proline were the best precursors in terms of labeling efficiency, whereas [36Cl]hydrochloride was much less efficient. When each of the four precursors was used, a large proportion of recovered label was associated with phomopsin. The specific activities of phomopsin produced with labeled isoleucine, phenylalanine, proline, and hydrochloride were 150, 120, 90, and 17 muCi/mmol, respectively. 14C label from acetate, malate, propionate, sucrose, or tryptophan was neither specifically nor efficiently incorporated into phomopsin.