A naturally occurring pyrimidodiazepine in Drosophila: chemical and spectral properties and relationship to drosopterin

Abstract
The structure of an intermediate in drosopterin biosynthesis as 6-acetylpyrimidodiazepine was confirmed by high-resolution mass spectra, 13C NMR, chemical ionization mass spectra, and chemical properties. A trivial name of 6-acetylhomopterin is suggested and should replace the term quench spot used heretofore. The structure of drosopterin includes, in part, a pyrimidodiazepine, a compound that consists of a fused 6- and 7-membered heterocyclic ring system. Earlier studies demonstrated that 6-acetylhomopterin strongly stimulated the enzymatic synthesis of drosopterin and related eye pigments by preparations from Drosophila. The occurrence in nature is quite limited for diazepines; drosopterin and homopterin are the 1st examples in eukaryotes.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: