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

The lipids of a deep-sea hydrothermal vent archوon, 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 Archوa. 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 Archوa.