Polyketide origin of 3-alkylpyridines in the marine mollusc Haminoea orbignyana

The paper reports the biosynthesis of the main alkylpyridine alkaloids, haminol-1 (1) and -2 (2), in the Mediterranean mollusc Haminoea orbignyana. Experiments were carried out by in vivo incorporation of 1,2- ¹³C₂ acetate]. Data give full account for a polyketide origin of haminols in the Mediterranean molluscs, showing the biosynthesis of these 3-alkylpyridine alkaloids by elongation with acetate of a starter unit of nicotinic acid.