Abstract The biosynthesis of tajixanthone and related metabolites of Aspergillus variecolor has been studied by incorporation experiments with simple and advanced precursors labelled with the stable isotopes 13 C, 2 H and 18 O. Tajixanthone is shown to be derived through ring cleavage of an octaketide-derived anthraquinone with introduction of two dimethylallyl moieties. From the results of isotopic labelling experiments and chemical ...
