Biosynthesis of the hemi- and monoterpene moieties of isoprenyl phenyl ethers from the liverwort Trichocolea tomentella

The incorporation of 13C labelled glucose into trichocolein, deoxytomentellin, trans-phytol and stigmasterol has been studied in axenic cultures of the liverwort Trichocolea tomentella. Quantitative 13C NMR spectroscopic analysis of the resulting labelling patterns showed that the isoprene units of the hemi- and monoterpenoid moieties and the diterpene phytol are derived from the methylerythritol phosphate pathway, whereas the isoprene units of stigmasterol are built up via the mevalonic acid pathway. These results indicate the involvement of both IPP biosynthetic pathways in different cellular compartments. A new, hydroperoxy geranyl phenyl ether derivative is also described.