Occurrence of squalene and dehydrosqualene in streptomycetes

Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cell activation induced by bacterial low molecular mass compounds depends on the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis

Isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP), an important precursor of isoprenoid biosynthesis in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, has been shown to activate Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells, the major subset of human gammadelta T cells. The biosynthesis of IPP has been first described as the acetate/mevalonate pathway. Recently, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (DOXP) and 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate have been shown to be key metabolites in the DOXP pathway also leading to the formation of IPP in some eubacteria such as Escherichia coli. Here we report that the low molecular mass fraction of extracts from bacteria using the DOXP pathway induces Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cell activation, while analogous preparations from bacteria using the classical mevalonate pathway fail to do so. Addition of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose potentiates the ability of E. coli extracts to activate Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells. As the amounts of IPP present in the bacterial preparations are not sufficient to induce significant Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cell activation, our data suggest that compounds other than IPP associated with the DOXP pathway are responsible for Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cell activation.

Isoprenoid biosynthesis in bacteria: a novel pathway for the early steps leading to isopentenyl diphosphate

Incorporation of 13C-labelled glucose, acetate, pyruvate or erythrose allowed the determination of the origin of the carbon atoms of triterpenoids of the hopane series and/or of the ubiquinones from several bacteria (Zymomonas mobilis, Methylobacterium fujisawaense, Escherichia coli and Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris) confirmed our earlier results obtained by incorporation of 13C-labelled acetate into the hopanoids of other bacteria and led to the identification of a novel biosynthetic route for the early steps of isoprenoid biosynthesis. The C5 framework of isoprenic units results most probably (i) from the condensation of a C2 unit derived from pyruvate decarboxylation (e.g. thiamine-activated acetaldehyde) on the C-2 carbonyl group of a triose phosphate derivative issued probably from dihydroxyacetone phosphate and not from pyruvate and (ii) from a transposition step. Although this hypothetical biosynthetic pathway resembles that of L-valine biosynthesis, this amino acid or its C5 precursors could be excluded as intermediates in the formation of isoprenic units.

Characterization of a lipid-rich fraction synthesized by Streptomyces avermitilis

Isolation of the macrocyclic lactone parasiticide avermectin and other closely related natural products produced by Streptomyces avermitilis also yields a lipid-rich fraction. The latter has been characterized by techniques based on gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). Initial examination of the lipid-rich fraction by direct probe electron-impact (EI) MS and packed-column GLC showed that it consists primarily of a mixture of triglycerides possessing C14-C17 acyl groups. Further examination of this fraction by capillary column GLC-MS demonstrated that it contains low levels of C15-C17 free fatty acids, squalene and diglycerides and, as the major components, at least ten mixed acyl triglycerides (total number of acyl carbon atoms ranging from 43 to 50). Prominent among the triglycerides were a C15-C15-C16 species, a C15-C16-C16 species and a C15-C16-C17 species. Capillary-column GLC and GLC-MS of the fatty acid methyl esters resulting from transesterification demonstrated that the major triglyceride acyl groups are anteiso-C15 (12-methyltetradecanoyl), iso-C16 (14-methylpentadecanoyl), n-C16 (hexa-decanoyl) and anteiso-C17 (14-methylhexadecanoyl). Lower levels of the methyl esters of the following fatty acids were observed: iso-C14 (12-methyltridecanoic), n-C14 (tetradecanoic), iso-C15 (13-methyltetradecanoic), n-C15 (pentadecanoic), iso-C17 (15-methylhexadecanoic) and n-C17 (heptadecanoic). Little evidence was seen for either unsaturated acyl groups or acyl groups of less than 13 or more than 18 carbon atoms. Desorption chemical ionization MS (ammonia reagent gas) analysis confirmed the nature of the lipid-rich fraction, and is an attractive one-step approach for determining the molecular weights and distribution of triglycerides in a mixture.