A shared biosynthetic pathway for botcinins and botrylactones revealed through gene deletions.

Isotopic labelling experiments and the study of mutants with disrupted genes encoding botcinic acid have revealed a common link in the biosynthesis of the polyketide toxins excreted by Botrytis cinerea: botcinins and botrylactones. Furthermore, the results reported here shed light on the origin of the starter unit, thereby solving a long-standing mystery in the biosynthesis of botcinins.

Botcinolide/botcinin: asymmetric synthesis of the key fragments.

The asymmetric synthesis of key fragments of the phytotoxic toxins botcinolide/botcinin is reported. The synthesis of 1 and 1a are based on a convergent route via esterification and alkene metathesis of fragments A, B or C, B, which were obtained by Evans aldol condensation and stereoselective crotylation, respectively.