Fig. 2

Pathway of codlemone biosynthesis. Palmitic acyl (C₁₆) is first formed by the fatty acid synthesis pathway. Lauric acyl (C₁₂) is then produced following two recurring reactions of beta-oxidation. A first desaturation occurs, introducing an E9 double bond between carbons 9 and 10 from the carboxyl terminus. The resulting monoenoic fatty acyl is then the substrate of a second desaturation via the removal of hydrogen atoms at the carbons 8 and 11, causing the formation of a E8E10 conjugated diene system. Finally, an unknown fatty acyl-CoA reductase converts the fatty acyl precursor into the fatty alcohol (E8,E10)-8,10-dodecadienol commonly known as codlemone. The steps characterized in this study are highlighted in red