Catabolic conversion of sepiapterin to 6-(1-carboxyethoxy)pterin by Bacillus subtilis

J Biochem. 1978 Jan;83(1):19-25. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.jbchem.a131890.

Abstract

Structural elucidation of an intensely blue fluorescent compound (A) formed from sepiapterin by Bacillus subtilis is described. The structure of the catabolite (A) was found to be 2-amino-6-(1-carboxyethoxy)-4(3H)-pteridinone (9) from both spectroscopic and degradation studies. This was confirmed by an unambiguous synthesis of 9. The stereochemical structure of the side chain at the 6-position of A was confirmed to be the L(or S) configuration, as in sepiapterin, by analysis of the lactic acid formed from A on acid hydrolysis. This suggests that the side chain is rearranged intact during the catabolic conversion of sepiapterin. A possible mechanism for the conversion is discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus subtilis / metabolism*
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry
  • Models, Chemical
  • Pteridines / metabolism*

Substances

  • 2-amino-6-(1-carboxyethoxy)-4(3H)-pteridinone
  • Pteridines