The biosynthesis of streptomycin. The origin of the C-formyl group of streptose.

1. The biosynthesis of streptomycin in Streptomyces griseus has been studied by adding d-[3,4-(14)C(2)]glucose or d-[1,3-(14)C(2)]glucose to the growth medium and degrading the streptomycin produced. 2. The results suggest that the C-3' branch carbon atom of l-streptose arises from C-3 of d-glucose. 3. The mechanism of biosynthesis of streptose from glucose is discussed. It probably involves an intramolecular rearrangement of a 6-deoxy-4-oxyhexose derivative, and it is suggested that the nucleoside diphosphate sugar derivative hitherto recognized as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of l-rhamnose might participate in such a rearrangement.