trisporic acid
trisporic acid
Trisporic acids are C-18 terpenoid compounds consisting of (1<i>S</i>)-1,3-dimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid which is substituted at position 3 by a (1<i>E</i>-3-methylocta-1,3-dien-1-yl side chain. The double bond at position 3 of the side chain can have <i>E</i> or <i>Z</i> geometry. Position 7 of the side chain may be unsubstituted (trisporic acid A) or substituted by a hydroxy group (trisporic acid B) or an oxo group (trisporic acid C). The trisporic acids are synthesized via β-carotene and retinol pathways in the Zygomycetes and are pheromone compounds responsible for sexual differentiation in those fungal species.