title: The conversion of cephalosporins to 7 alpha-methoxycephalosporins by cell-free extracts of Streptomyces clavuligerus.
abstract: In the presence of S-adenosylmethionine, 2-oxoglutarate, Fe2+ and a reducing agent, cell-free extracts of Streptomyces clavuligerus convert cephalosporin C and O-carbamoyldeacetylcephalosporin C into 7 alpha-methoxy derivatives. No synthesis of a 7 alpha-methoxy derivative of deacetylcephalosporin C was detected in the system used, and the 7 alpha-methoxy derivative of deacetoxycephalosporin C was produced only in relatively small amounts. It appears that the 7 alpha-methoxy group is introduced after the cephalosporin ring system has been formed and that its introduction may represent the final step in a biosynthetic pathway.
mesh_terms: D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002513:Cephamycins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D013302:Streptomyces / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins; D002513:Cephamycins; C024926:7-methoxycephalosporin C; C024925:cephamycin C