Using13C labeling and NMR spectroscopy we have determined biosynthetic precursors of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) in two closely related serine-type methylotrophs,Methylobacterium AM1 andHyphomicrobium X. Analysis of the13C-labeling data revealed that PQQ is constructed from two amino acids: the portion containing N-6,C-7,8,9 and the two carboxylic acid groups,C-7′ and 9′, is derived-intact-from glutamate. The remaining portion is derived from tyrosine; the phenol side chain provides the six carbons of the ring containing the orthoquinone, whereas internal cyclization of the amino acid backbone forms the pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid moiety. This is analogous to the cyclization of dopaquinone to form dopachrome. Dopaquinone is a product of the oxidation of tyrosine (via dopa) in reactions catalyzed by monophenol monooxygenase (EC 1.14.18.1). Starting with tyrosine and glutamate, we will discuss possible biosynthetic routes to PQQ.