Biosynthesis of the Lycopodium Alkaloids

Abstract

<p> The biosynthesis of two Lycopodium alkaloids of remarkably different structures, lycopodine and cernuine, was studied by tracer methods. The modes of incorporation of lysine, cadaverine , (Delta^1)-piperideine and pelletierine into the two alkaloids were compared. </p> <p> The results obtained clearly show that the modes of biosynthesis of lycopodine and of cernuine are analogous and that these alkaloids are true dimers of a C8N unit. However, since only one pelletierine unit is incorporated into the alkaloids , pelletierine is not the monomeric C8N unit which serves as the precursor of the alkaloids.</p>