T.C. McMorris

The biogenesis of illudins S and M in clitocybe illudens

Abstract Illudin S and illudin M were biologically labelled with C 14 by adding mevalonic acid 2-C 14 as precursor to cultures of Clitocybe illudens . The positions of the label, determined by degradation, are consistent with the origin of these sesquiterpenes from 3 molecules of mevalonic acid.

Response of Achyla ambisexualis e87 to the Hormone Antheridiol and Certain Other Steroids

SUMMARY: Of 53 steroids tested for their ability to induce the formation of antheridial branches in the water mould Achlya ambisexualis Raper, strain e87, 34 were inactive, including 18 steroids having hormonal activity in mammals and six related to antheridiol, a C-29 steroid controlling the formation of antheridia in Achlya. The C-22, C-23 stereoisomers of antheridiol and two intermediates in its synthesis had about 10−3 to 10−6 the activity of antheridiol. Certain modifications in the side chain of antheridiol resulted in a loss of activity.

Isolation of dihydroilludin M from Clitocybe illudens

Abstract Dihydroilludin M (Ia) has been isolated from culture liquids of Clitocybe illudens . This metabolite differs from the dihydroilludin M obtained by borohydride reduction of illudin M, only in the configuration at C-7, one of three asymmetric centers in the molecule.

The structure of illudol

Abstract Detailed evidence is given for the structure and partial stereochemistry of illudol, a sesquiterpenoid triol obtained from the Basidiomycete Clitocybe illudens .

Cassiaxanthone, a hydroxyxanthone dicarboxylic acid from Cassia species

Abstract A pale yellow crystalline material isolated from a bicarbonate extract of leaves of Cassia reticulata has been identified as 1-hydroxyxanthone-6,8-dicarboxylic acid. The possibility that this compound is a natural product rather than an artefact, as suggested earlier, is discussed.