Biosynthetic pathway for the C45 polyprenol, solanesol, in tobacco.

Feeding experiments were independently performed with [1-13C]deoxy-D-xylulose triacetate and (RS)-[2-13C]mevalonolactone in the tobacco plant. The labeling pattern for solanesol was elucidated to reveal that the isoprene moiety of solanesol would be derived from deoxy-xylulose. The result strongly suggests that tobacco solanesol is biosynthesized via the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway.