Precoccinelline
Precoccinelline is an alkaloid produced by the ''Coccinella septempunctata'', also known as the seven-spot ladybird. The alkaloid is released from the joints in ''C. septempunctata'' legs when it is provoked to deter predators such as ants or birds. It binds to both insect and mammalian nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, giving it use as an insecticide or as a therapy to treat drug dependence. Biosynthesis It was determined that precoccinelline is produced de novo in the ''C. septempunctata'' as their diet, which is composed of aphids, does not contain this alkaloid. While the exact biosynthesis has not been fleshed out, precoccinelline is thought to be of polyketide origin. The hypothesized biosynthesis involves condensation of six acetates and methyl addition. : Chemical synthesis 2,6-lutidine (1) is used as starting material, and its treatment with β-bromo-propionaldehyde dimethyl acetal in ether produces a monolithium derivative. In the presence of 2,6-lutidine in exce ...
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