THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF CHLORAMPHENICOL I

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Abstract
The biosynthesis of chloramphenicol by Streptomvces venezuelae in a synthetic medium is greatly increased by the presence of one moiety of the compound, p-nitrophenylserinol, but only slightly by the other, dichloroacetic acid. Other similar chemicals are effective also but to a lesser degree. A related amino acid, phenylalanine, also promotes the synthesis, but the structurally dissimilar acids, leucine and isoleucine, are at least as active. Methionine, tryptophan, glutamic acid, norvaline and threonine gave small increases. An unnatural amino acid, norleucine, was the most active precursor of all the compounds tested. Phenylalanine stimulates the synthesis to the greatest degree when it is incorporated into the medium prior to the active growth period. From then on progressively less stimulation occurs on the addition of this compound until the end of the growth phase. The gross physiology of S. venezuelae is not greatly different under conditions which favor formation of the antibiotic from that which occurs when no synthesis takes place.