Biosynthesis of riboflavin. Enzymatic formation of the xylene moiety from [14C]ribulose 5-phosphate.

We have studied the enzymatic formation of the xylene ring of riboflavin using cell extracts from the flavinogenic yeast Candida guilliermondii. 5-Amino-6-ribitylamino-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione or its 5'-phosphate could serve as substrates. In addition, a pentose phosphate or pentulose phosphate was required. Experiments with [14C]ribulose 5-phosphate gave evidence for the incorporation of the ribulose carbon atoms except C-4 into the xylene ring of the vitamin.