Chou K.C.-C.Yang S.-H.Wu H.-L.Lin P.-Y.Chang T.-L.Sheu F.Chen K.-H.FUU SHEU2019-07-112019-07-11201700218561https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/413276Antroquinonol (AQ) and 4-acetylantroquinonol B (4-AAQB), isolated from the mycelium of Antrodia cinnamomea, have a similar chemical backbone to coenzyme Q (CoQ). Based on the postulation that biosynthesis of both AQ and 4-AAQB in A. cinnamomea starts from the polyketide pathway, we cultivated this fungus in a culture medium containing [U-13C]oleic acid, and then we analyzed the crude extracts of the mycelium using UHPLC-MS. We found that AQ and 4-AAQB follow similar biosynthetic sequences as CoQ. Obvious [13C2] fragments on the ring backbone were detected in the mass spectrum for [13C2]AQ, [13C2]4-AAQB, and their [13C2] intermediates found in this study. The orsellinic acid, formed from acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA via the polyketide pathway, was found to be a novel benzoquinone ring precursor for AQ and 4- AAQB. The identification of endogenously synthesized farnesylated intermediates allows us to postulate the routes of AQ and 4- AAQB biosynthesis in A. cinnamomea. ? 2016 American Chemical Society.4-acetylantroquinonol BAntrodia cinnamomeaAntroquinonolOrsellinic acidPolyketide pathway[SDGs]SDG3journal article10.1021/acs.jafc.6b043462-s2.0-85016436867https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85016436867&doi=10.1021%2facs.jafc.6b04346&partnerID=40&md5=189e9d40be753b93e03c66b001835524