Summary
Fluorescent cyclic decapeptides, the so-called cortinarins, have been claimed to cause the toxicity of the deadly poisonous mushroomCortinarius speciosissimus. As the structure elucidation described in the literature is doubtful in decisive parts, the proposed structures must be disputed. The present study demonstrates that the fluorescence is mainly due to ergosta-4,6,8 (14),22-tetraen-3-one (8) and to photodecomposition products of the nephrotoxin orellanine (1). Moreover, we were not able to reproduce the isolation of fluorescent or any other cyclic peptides related to cortinarins fromC. speciosissimus, by various methods.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Schumacher, T., and Hoiland, K., Arch. Toxicol.53 (1983) 87 and cited literature (review).
Flammer, R., Schweiz. med. Wschr.112 (1982) 1181.
Marichal, J.-F., Carbiener, R., Wiederkehr, J.-L., and Triby, F., Collect. Med. Leg. Toxicol. Med.106 (1978) 161; and Nouv. Presse Med.6 (1977) 2973.
Grzymala, S., Bull. Soc. Mycol. Fr.78 (1962) 394.
Antkowiak, W. Z., and Gessner, W. P., Tetrahedron Lett.20, (1979) 1931.
Bresinsky, A., and Besl, H., Giftpilze, p. 50. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Stuttgart 1985.
Antkowiak, W. Z., and Gessner, W. P., Experientia41 (1985) 769.
Dehmlow, W. V., and Schulz, H.-J., Tetrahedron Lett.26 (1985) 4903.
Tiecco, M., Tingoli, M., Testaferri, L., Chianelli, D., and Wenkert, E., Experientia43 (1987) 462.
Gstrauntaler, G., and Prast, H., Sydowia36 (1983) 53.
Bouska, I., Rehanek, R., Motycka, K., and Veselsky, J., Ceska Mycol.34 (1980) 188.
Prast, H., Thesis, Leopold-Franzens-Universität, Innsbruck 1982.
Klein, G., Richard, J. M., and Satre, M., FEMS Microbiol. Lett.33 (1986).
Matthies, L., Thesis, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, in preparation.
Tebbett, I. R., and Caddy, B., Experientia40 (1984) 441.
Testa, E., Rass. micol. Ticinese2 (1970) 89.
Repke, D. K., Fuerguson, W. J., and Bates, D. K., J. heterocycl. Chem.18 (1981) 175 and cited literature.
Wieland, Th., and Steglich, W., personal communication, 1990.
Pasini, C., Colo, V., and Coda, S., Gazz. chim. ital.93 (1963) 1066.
Tebbett, I. R., Thesis, Forensic Science Unit, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow 1984.
Gamper, R., Thesis, Leopold-Franzens-Universität, Innsbruck 1977.
CAS-online May 1990.
Schulte, K. E., Rücker, G., and Fachmann, H., Tetrahedron Lett.9 (1968) 4763.
Caddy, B., personal communication (27.4.1988).
Allen, G., Sequencing of peptides and proteins, in: Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, vol. 9, p. 185. Eds T. S. Work and R. H. Burdon. Elsevier, North-Holland 1981.
Wieland, T., in: Fortschritte der Chemie organischer Naturstoffe, vol. 25, p. 232. Ed. L. Zechmeister. Springer Verlag, Wien and New York 1967.
Matsubara, H., and Sasaki, R. M., Biochem. biophys. Res. Comm.35 (1969) 175.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Matthies, L., Laatsch, H. Cortinarins inCortinarius speciosissimus? A critical revision. Experientia 47, 634–640 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01949895
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01949895