The biosynthetic pathway of crucifer phytoalexins and phytoanticipins: De novo incorporation of deuterated tryptophans and quasi-natural compounds

Although several biosynthetic intermediates in pathways to cruciferous phytoalexins and phytoanticipins are common, questions regarding the introduction of substituents at N-1 of the indole moiety remain unanswered. Toward this end, we investigated the potential incorporations of several perdeuterated d- and l-1′-methoxytryptophans, d- and l-tryptophans and other indol-3-yl derivatives into pertinent phytoalexins and phytoanticipins (indolyl glucosinolates) produced in rutabaga (Brassica napus L. ssp. rapifera) roots. In addition, we probed the potential transformations of quasi-natural compounds, these being analogues of biosynthetic intermediates that might lead to “quasi-natural” products (products similar to natural products but not produced under natural conditions). No detectable incorporations of deuterium labeled 1′-methoxytryptophans into phytoalexins or glucobrassicin were detected. l-tryptophan was incorporated in a higher percentage than d-tryptophan into both phytoalexins and phytoanticipins. However, in the case of the phytoalexin rapalexin A, both d- and l-tryptophan were incorporated to the same extent. Furthermore, the transformations of both 1′-methylindolyl-3′-acetaldoxime and 1′-methylindolyl-3′-acetothiohydroxamic acid (quasi-natural products) into 1′-methylglucobrassicin but not into phytoalexins suggested that post-aldoxime enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway of indolyl glucosinolates are not substrate-specific. Hence, it would appear that the 1-methoxy substituent of the indole moiety is introduced downstream from tryptophan and that the post-aldoxime enzymes of the glucosinolate pathway are different from the enzymes of the phytoalexin pathway. A higher substrate specificity of some enzymes of the phytoalexin pathway might explain the relatively lower structural diversity among phytoalexins than among glucosinolates.