Exploration of the molecular origin of the azinomycin epoxide: timing of the biosynthesis revealed.

Streptomyces sahachiroi whole cell feeding experiments, utilizing putative precursors labeled with stable isotopes, established that the epoxide unit of the DNA cross-linked agents, azinomycin A and B, proceeds via a valine-dependent pathway and that hydroxylation and dehydration precedes formation of the terminal epoxide. Sodium 3-methyl-2-oxobutenoate, formed through a transimination reaction, was shown to be the penultimate precursor incorporated into the azinomycin epoxide.