The hydroxylation at C-17 in the biosynthesis of the diterpenoid aphidicolin

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00713-3

The hydroxylation at C-17 in aphidicolin biosynthesis is inhibited by a 17-thiol. A metabolite hydroxylated at C-17 and retaining the cyclopropane ring was obtained from 3α,18-dihydroxy-15β,16β-methanoaphidicolane whilst aphidicolin itself was obtained from 3α,18-dihydroxyaphidicolane when these substrates were incubated with the fungus, Cephalosporium aphidicola.