The structure and biosynthesis of new tetrahydropyrimidine derivatives in actinomycin D producer Streptomyces parvulus. Use of 13C- and 15N-labeled L-glutamate and 13C and 15N NMR spectroscopy.

Two novel compounds, 2-methyl, 4-carboxy, 5-hydroxy-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine (THP(A] and 2-methyl, 4-carboxy-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine (THP(B] have been identified in the pool of Streptomyces parvulus by in vivo and in vitro studies. 13C and 15N were introduced into the compounds by feeding S. parvulus with 15N- and 13C-labeled L-glutamate. High resolution 13C and 15N NMR have been applied to elucidate their structure and biosynthesis in S. parvulus. The splitting patterns and coupling constants of adjacent nitrogen-carbon molecular fragments enable us to unravel their molecular structure. Two different glutamate pools are responsible for their biosynthesis, THP(A) carbon skeleton derives from the extracellular L-[13C]glutamate, whereas THP(B) stems from D-fructose via the intracellular glutamate. During cell growth, THP(A) is synthesized and becomes the major constituent of the intracellular pool. It is consumed after THP(B) is accumulated intracellularly. The onset of THP(A) and -(B) synthesis seems correlated to the time of actinomycin D synthesis. Their high cellular concentrations during actinomycin D synthesis suggest that they may function as nitrogen storage. Other possible functions of THP molecules within the cell are discussed.