ABSTRACT
The indole-diterpenes are a large, structurally diverse group of natural products principally found in filamentous fungi of the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, Claviceps, and Neotyphodium [1-3]. These metabolites all have a common core structure comprising a cyclic diterpene skeleton derived from geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) and an indole moiety derived from either tryptophan or a tryptophan precursor [4-6]. Further complexity of the carbon skeleton is achieved by additional prenylations, different patterns of ring substitutions, and different ring stereochemistry. Many of these compounds are potent mammalian tremorgens [7] whereas others are known to have antiinsect activity [8].
