Deuterium as a tracer in polyketide biosynthesis: a new method for the detection of chain starter units

Abstract

An intact incorporation of a ¹³CD₃ group from [2-¹³C,2-²H₃] acetate into the C(1) methyl group of terrein is established from the deuterium-decoupled ¹³C n.m.r. spectrum of the metabolite; a varying degree of exchange of label along the polyketide chain is detected.