Abstract: | In order to investigate the role of the L-2-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid residue at position 2 of AM-toxin I (cyclic tetradepsipeptide) on necrotic activity for apple leaves, two analogs, [L-lactic acid2] AM-toxin I and [L-2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic acid2] AM-toxin I, were synthesized by the conventional method for peptide synthesis. The toxic activity of the former analog was much weaker than that of the natural AM-toxin I and the latter analog. CD spectra of AM-toxin I and these analogs were correlated to those toxic activities, indicating that bulkiness of the side chain at position 2 is important for the maintenance of active conformation and the induction of necrotic activity. |