A di-O-dihydrogeranylgeranyl glycerol from Thermococcus S 557, a novel ether lipid, and likely intermediate in the biosynthesis of diethers in Archaea

The lipids of a deep-sea hydrothermal vent arch ae on, Thermococcus S 557, were isolated, purified and structurally determined. Based on acid methanolysis and spectroscopic studies, the polar lipids were shown to comprise diphytanyl glycerol and dibiphytanyl diglycerol, typical membrane lipids of Arch aea. From the neutral lipids, 2,3-di-O-dihydro-14,15-geranylgeranyl glycerol was isolated. This novel ether lipid is, very likely, a close intermediate in the biosynthesis of diphytanyl glycerol diether in Arch aea. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.