Abstract
The biosynthesis of nystatin cannot be divorced in principle from that of the macrolide antibiotics in general [for a review see for example Grisebach (1964)]. It is unique, however, in that much of what is known of the structure is due to biosynthetic investigations. The macrolides are characterised by many-membered lactone rings, carrying numerous substituents: methyl groups, hydroxyl groups, unusual sugar, and frequently at least one carbonyl group. The sub-group of polyenes contains a conjugated series of double bonds, usually about four to seven in number. They are biogenetically of the class of polyketides composed of “acetate” and “propionate” units; the methyl groups are due to “propionate” units apart, in some cases, from a terminal “acetate” one, and much of the oxygen, frequently in β-positions, is a remnant of the polyketide carbonyl groups, and is usually present as OH. More introduced oxygens are also frequently present.
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References
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Birch, A.J. (1967). Nystatin. In: Gottlieb, D., Shaw, P.D. (eds) Biosynthesis. Antibiotics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-38441-1_19
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-38441-1_19
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