Terpene biosynthesis in the nudibranch Doriopsilla areolata

The paper reports the results of biosynthetic experiments with the marine nudibranch Doriopsilla areolata. Biogensis of the enantiomeric sesquiterpenes 1 and 5 was investigated by feeding of [1-13C]-glucose, [1,2-13C2]-glucose and [1,2-13C2]-acetate. Evidence is presented that supports de novo origin of both compounds via an single metabolic pathway based on mevalonic acid.