Investigation of the early stages in soraphen A biosynthesis.

The unusual benzoate starter unit in soraphen A derives from phenylalanine via cinnamate in a beta-oxidative (plant-like) pathway; 3-phenyl-3-hydroxypropanoate incorporates directly into soraphen by loading onto module 2 of the PKS and indirectly from the beta-oxidative pathway to generate benzoyl CoA.