Biosynthesis of aglajnes, polypropionate allomones of the opisthobranch mollusc Bulla striata

Abstract The biogenesis of aglajnes, polypropionate allomones of the cephalaspidean mollusc Bulla striata , has been investigated in vivo by feeding experiments. Incorporation of the committed precursor, [1- 14 C]-propionate, into aglajne-1 ( 1 ) and -3 ( 3 ) established the de novo origin of these compounds in B. striata . In the letter we also discuss briefly the ecological meaning of the origin of polypropionates in B. striata and in other cephalaspidean molluscs.