Regulation of biosynthesis of vermiculin and vermistatin in Penicillium vermiculatum.

Biosynthesis of vermiculin (1) and vermistatin (2) in Penicillium vermiculatum can be controlled by the carbon and nitrogen sources. Glucose and sucrose affect the levels of the two metabolites; cornsteep liquor influences the quality the biosynthesis. The concentrations of Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions also affect the biosynthesis, the effect being dependent on the type of carbon source utilized. The compounds capable of electron transport generally stimulate the production of 1 and 2 but do not influence the biosynthesis qualitatively.