title: Biosynthesis of a trypanocide by Chromobacterium violaceum.
abstract: Radio-isotope studies indicated not only that L-tryptophan can serve as carbon source for synthesis of the trypanocide, violacein by Chromobacterium violaceum (BB-78 strain) but also that isatin and indole 3-acetic acid are both important metabolic intermediates. Using 3-indolyl [2-(14)C] and [1-(14)C] acetic acid, it was found that the carboxylic carbon was not eliminated and that indole-3-acetic acid was incorporated intact into the pigment structure. N-Ethyl(5-hydroxy-indol-3-yl)-2-indolylethylamide is also an important metabolic intermediate in the violacein biosynthesis. This is the first report of a metabolic scheme for violacein synthesis which includes an intermediate other than L-tryptophan.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Quimica, Biological Chemistry Laboratory, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, C.P. 6154, 13081-970 SP, Campinas, CEP, Brazil.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Durán
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Antonio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haun
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pilli