Image that youve just discovered a new polyketide You want k

Image that you\'ve just discovered a new polyketide. You want know whether the methyl groups that are hanging off of the backbone are from a chain propagating unit such as methylmalonyl CoA, or if they were placed there by SAM. Unfortunately, Cambridge Isotopes (our friendly isotope supplier) is all out of isotopically labeled SAM! What other isotopically labeled molecule could you use to find your answer? Be sure to show me that molecule, and where you\'d want the carbon isotopes to be placed.

Solution

Other methy donors that can be used here are TMG (Tri-methyl glycine) or DMG (Di-methyl Glycine). TMG structure is [(CH₃)₃ N⁺CH₂CO₂H] . The three methyl groups of TMG get transferred to the receptor molecule detaching from N^+.