Gibberellins in developing fruits of Pisum sativum cv. Alaska: Studies on their role in pod growth and seed development

Gibberellins A₁, A₈, A₂₀ and A₂₉ were identified by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the pods and seeds from 5-d-old pollinated ovaries of pea (Pisum sativum cv. Alaska). These gibberellins were also identified in 4-d-old non-developing, parthenocarpic and pollinated ovaries. The level of gibberellin A₁ within these ovary types was correlated with pod size. Gibberellin A₁, applied to emasculated ovaries cultured in vitro, was three to five times more active than gibberellin A₂₀. Using pollinated ovary explants cultured in vitro, the effects of inhibitors of gibberellin biosynthesis on pod growth and seed development were examined. The inhibitors retarded pod growth during the first 7 d after anthesis, and this inhibition was reversed by simultaneous application of gibberellin A₃. In contrast, the inhibitors, when supplied to 4-d-old pollinated ovaries for 16 d, had little effect on seed fresh weight although they reduced the levels of endogenous gibberellins A₂₀ and A₂₉ in the enlarging seeds to almost zero. Paclobutrazol, which was one of the inhibitors used, is xylem-mobile and it efficiently reduced the level of seed gibberellins without being taken up into the seed. In intact fruits the pod may therefore be a source of precursors for gibberellin biosynthesis in the seed. Overall, the results indicate that gibberellin A₁, present in parthenocarpic and pollinated fruits early in development, regulates pod growth. In contrast the high levels of gibberellins A₂₀ and A₂₉, which accumulate during seed enlargement, appear to be unnecessary for normal seed development or for subsequent germination.Abbreviations GA_(a) gibberellin A_n - GC-MS combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography - PFK perfluorokerosene - PVP polyvinylpyrrolidone     

The role of gibberellins A1 and A3 in fruit growth of Pisum sativum L. and the identification of gibberellins A4 and A7 in young seeds

Gibberellins A₁ and A₃ are the major physiologically active gibberellins (GAs) present in young fruit of pea (Pisum sativum L.). The relative importance of these GAs in controlling fruit growth and their biosynthetic origins were investigated in cv. Alaska. In addition, the non-13-hydroxylated active GAs, GA₄ and GA₇, were identified for the first time in young seeds harvested 4 d after anthesis, although they are minor components and are not expected to play major physiological roles. The GA₁ content is maximal in seeds and pods at 6 d after anthesis, the time of highest growth-rate of the pod (Garcia-Martinez et al. 1991, Planta 184: 53–60), whereas gibberellic acid (GA₃), which is present at high levels in seeds 4–8 d after anthesis, has very low abundance in pods. Gibberellins A₁₉, A₂₀ and A₂₉ are most concentrated in seeds at, or shortly after, anthesis and their abundance declines rapidly with development, concomitant with the sharp increase in GA₁ and GA₃ content. Application of GA₁ or GA₃ to the leaf subtending an emasculated flower stimulated parthenocarpic fruit development. Measurement of the GA content of the pods at 4 d after anthesis indicated that only 0.002–0.5% of the applied GA was transported to the fruit, depending on dose. There was a linear relationship between GA₁ content and pod weight up to about 2 ng · (g FW)⁻¹, whereas no such correlation existed for GA₃ content. The concentration of endogenous GA₁ in pods from pollinated ovaries is just sufficient to give the maximum growth response. It is concluded that GA₁, but not GA₃, controls pod growth in pea; GA₃ may be involved in early seed development. The distribution of GAs within the seeds at 4 d post anthesis was also investigated. Most of the GA₁, GA₈, GA₁₉, GA₂₀ and GA₂₉ was present in the testa, whereas GA₃ was distributed equally between testa and endosperm and GA₄ was localised mainly in the endosperm. Of the GAs analysed, only GA₃ and GA₂₀ were detected in the embryo. Metabolism experiments with intact tissues and cell-free fractions indicated compartmentation of GA biosynthesis within the seed. Using ¹⁴C-labelled GA₁₂, GA₉, 2,3-didehydroGA₉ and GA₂₀ as substrates, the testa was shown to contain 13-hydroxylase and 20-oxidase activities, the endosperm, 3β-hydroxylase and 20-oxidase activities. Both tissues also produced 16,17-dihydrodiols. However, GA₁ and GA₃ were not obtained as products and it is unlikely that they are formed via the early 13-hydroxylation pathway. [¹⁴C]gibberellin A₁₂, applied to the inside surface of pods in situ, was metabolised to GA₁₉, GA₂₀, GA₂₉, GA₂₉-catabolite, GA₈₁ and GA₉₇, but GA₁ was not detected. Gibberellin A₂₀ was metabolised by this tissue to GA₂₉ and GA₂₉-catabolite. Received: 23 July 1996 / Accepted: 2 September 1996     

Gibberellins in immature seeds and dark-grown shoots of Pisum sativum

Gibberellins (GAs) A₁₇, A₁₉, A₂₀, A₂₉, A₄₄, 2OH-GA₄₄ (tentative) and GA₂₉-catabolite were identified in 21-day-old seeds of Pisum sativum cv. Alaska (tall). These GAs are qualitatively similar to those in the dwarf cultivar Progress No. 9 with the exception of GA₁₉ which does not accumulate in Progress seeds. There was no evidence for the presence of 3-hydroxylated GAs in 21 day-old Alaska seeds. Dark-grown shoots of the cultivar Alaska contein GA₁, GA₈, GA₂₀, GA₂₉, GA₈-catabolite and GA₂₉-catabolite. Dark-grown shoots of the cultivar Progress No.9 contain GA₈, GA₂₀, GA₂₉ and GA₂₉-catabolite, and the presence of GA₁ was strongly indicated. Quantitation using GAs labelled with stable isotope showed the level of GA₁ in dark-grown shoots of the two cultivars to be almost identical, whilst the levels of GA₂₀, GA₂₉ and GA₂₉-catabolite were significantly lower in Alaska than in Progress No. 9. The levels of these GAs in dark-grown shoots were 10²- to 10³-fold less than the levels in developing seeds. The 2-epimer of GA₂₉ is present in dark-grown-shoot extracts of both cultivars and is not thought to be an artefact.Abbreviations cv cultivar - GA_n gibberellin A_n - GC gas chromatography - GC-MS combined gas chromatographymass spectrometry - HPLC high-pressure liquid chromatography - KRI Kovats retention index - MeTMSi methyl ester trimethylsilyl ether     

Identification and localization of gibberellins in maturing seeds of the cucurbit Sechium edule,and a comparison between this cucurbit and the legume Phaseolus coccineus

Twenty known gibberellins (GAs) have been identified by combined capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in extracts from less than 10 g fresh weight of maturing seeds of the cucurbit Sechium edule Sw. The GAs are predominantly 3- and-or 13-hydroxylated. This is the first reported identification of non-conjugated 13-hydroxylated GAs in a cucurbit. Gibberellin A₈ and gibberellin A₈-catabolite are the major GAs in terms of quantity and are largely accumulated in the testa. The catabolites of 2-hydroxylated GAs are ,-unsaturated ketones which no longer possess of a -lactone. They were hitherto known only in legumes. The presence of GA₈-catabolite as a major component of Sechium seeds indicates that the distribution of these GA-catabolites may be more widespread than previously envisaged. The localization of known GAs in maturing seeds of the legume Phaseolus coccineus L. was found to resemble closely that in Sechium. Gibberellin A₈, a putative conjugate of GA₈ and GA₈-catabolite are accumulated in the testa. The localization in the testa of end-products of the GA-biosynthetic pathway, which was first observed in maturing seeds of Pisum sativum, and is now described in Phaseolus and Sechium, may be a general feature of seed development.Abbreviations GA_n gibberellin A_n - GC-MS combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry     

Metabolism of Gibberellin A(12) and A(12)-Aldehyde in Developing Seeds of Pisum sativum L

Metabolism of [¹⁴C]gibberellin (GA) A₁₂ (GA₁₂) and [¹⁴C]gibberellin A₁₂-aldehyde (GA₁₂-aldehyde) was examined in cotyledons and seed coats from developing seeds of pea (Pisum sativum L.). Both were metabolized to only 13-hydroxylated GAs in cotyledons but to 13-hydroxylated and non-13-hydroxylated GAs in seed coats. The metabolism of [¹⁴C]GA₁₂ was slower in seed coats than in cotyledons. [¹⁴C]GA₁₂-aldehyde was also metabolized to conjugates in seed coats. Seed coat [¹⁴C]-metabolites produced from [¹⁴C]GA₁₂-aldehyde were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Conjugates were base hydrolyzed and the free GAs reisolated by HPLC and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. [¹⁴C]GA₅₃-aldehyde, [¹⁴C]GA₁₂-aldehyde conjugate, and [¹⁴C]GA₅₃-aldehyde conjugate were major metabolites produced from [¹⁴C]GA₁₂-aldehyde by seed coats aged 20-22 days or older. The dilution of ¹⁴C in these compounds by ¹²C, as compared to the supplied [¹⁴C]GA₁₂-aldehyde, indicated that they are endogenous. Feeding [¹⁴C]GA₅₃-aldehyde led to the production of [¹⁴C]GA₅₃-aldehyde conjugate in seed coats and shoots and also to 13-hydroxylated GAs in shoots. Labeled GAs, recovered from plant tissue incubated with either [¹⁴C]GA₁₂, [¹⁴C]GA₁₂-aldehyde, or [³H]GA₉, were used as appropriate markers for the recovery of endogenous GAs from seed coats or cotyledons. These GAs were purified by HPLC and identified and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. GA₁₅, GA₂₄, GA₉, GA₅₁, GA₅₁-catabolite, GA₂₀, GA₂₉, and GA₂₉-catabolite were detected in seed coats, whereas GA₉, GA₅₃, GA₄₄, GA₁₉, GA₂₀, and GA₂₉ were found in cotyledons. The highest GA levels were for GA₂₀ and GA₂₉ in cotyledons (783 and 912 nanograms per gram fresh weight, respectively) and for GA₂₉ and GA₂₉-catabolite in seed coats (1940 and > 1940 nanograms per gram fresh weight, respectively).     

Metabolism of gibberellins in a cell-free system from immature seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

The biosynthetic steps from gibberellin A₁₂-aldehyde (GA₁₂-aldehyde) to C₁₉-GAs were studied by means of a cell-free system from the embryos of immature Phaseolus vulgaris seeds. Stable-isotope-labeled GAs were used as substrates and the products were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Gibberellin A₁₂-aldehyde was converted to GA₄ via non-hydroxylated intermediates and to GA₁ via 13-hydroxylated intermediates. 13-Hydroxylation took place at the beginning of the pathway by the conversion of GA₁₂-aldehyde to GA₅₃-aldehyde. The conversion of GA₂₀ to GA₅ and GA₆ was also shown but no 2-hydroxylating activity was found. Endogenous GAs from embryos and testas of 17-dold seeds were re-examined by gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring using stable-isotopelabeled GAs as internal standards. Gibberellins A₉, A₁₂, A₁₅, A₁₉, A₂₃, A₂₄, and A₅₃ were identified for the first time in P. vulgaris, in addition to GA₁, GA₄, GA₅, GA₆, GA₈, GA₁₇, GA₂₀, GA₂₉, GA₃₇, GA₃₈ and GA₄₄, which were previously known to occur in this species. The levels of all GAs, except the 2-hydroxylated ones, were greater in the embryos than in the testas. Conversely, the contents of GA₈ and GA₂₉, both 2-hydroxylated, were much higher in the testas than in the embryos.Abbreviations GA_n gibberellin A_n - GC-MS gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - GC-SIM gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography - TLC thin-layer chromatography - m/z ion of mass     

The localization,metabolism and biological activity of gibberellins in maturing and germinating seeds of Pisum sativum cv. Progress No. 9

Gibberellin A₂₀ (GA₂₀), GA₂₉ and GA₂₉-catabolite were quantified in cotyledons, embryonic axes, and testas of Pisum sativum cv. Progress No. 9 throughout the final stages of seed maturation and during germination. Stable isotope-labelled GAs were used as internal standards in conjunction with combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Gibberellin A₂₀ and GA₂₉ were mainly located in the cotyledons of maturing seeds, and GA₂₉-catabolite was predominantly located in the testa. Stable isotope- and radio-labelled GA₂₀ and GA₂₉ were fed to both intact seeds developing in vivo, and to isolated seed parts cultured in vitro. The combined results of in-vivo and in-vitro feeds indicated that GA₂₀ is metabolised to GA₂₉ in the cotyledons, that GA₂₉ is transported from the cotyledons to the testa, and that GA₂₉ is metabolised to GA₂₉-catabolite in the testa. Although the metabolism of GA₂₀ in the cotyledons and of GA₂₉ in the testa has been shown definitively, the mobility of GA₂₉ has not yet been demonstrated directly. During seed desiccation and germination GA₂₉-catabolite and products arising from it are transferred from the testa into the embryo. There is no evidence of a physiological function for GA₂₉-catabolite in germination or early seedling growth. Use of a growth retardant indicates that seedling growth, but not germination, is dependent on de-novo GA biosynthesis.     

Accumulation of C19-gibberellins in the gibberellin-insensitive dwarf mutantgai ofArabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh

The endogenous gibberellins (GAs) from shoots of the GA-insensitive mutant,gai, ofArabidopsis thaliana were analyzed and compared with the GAs from the Landsberg erecta (Ler) line. Twenty GAs were identified in Ler plants by full-scan gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Kovats retention indices (KRI's). These GAs are members of the early-13-hydroxylation pathway (GA₅₃, GA₄₄, GA₁₉, GA₁₇, GA₂₀, GA₁, GA₂₉, and GA₈), the non-3,13-hydroxylation pathway (GA₁₂, GA₁₅, GA₂₄, GA₂₅, GA₉, and GA₅₁), and the early-3-hydroxylation pathway (GA₃₇, GA₂₇, GA₃₆, GA₁₃, GA₄, and GA₃₄). The same GAs, except GA₅₃, GA₄₄, GA₃₇, and GA₂₉ were detected in thegai mutant by the same methods. In addition, extracts fromgai plants contained GA₄₁ and GA₇₁. Both lines also contained several unknown GAs. In Ler plants these were mainly hydroxy-GA₁₂ derivatives, whereas in thegai mutant hydroxy-GA₂₄, hydroxy-GA₂₅, and hydroxy-GA₉ compounds were detected. Quantification of seven GAs by GC-selected ion monitoring (SIM), using internal standards, and comparisons of the ion intensities in the SIM chromatograms of the other thirteen GAs, demonstrated that thegai mutant had reduced levels of all C₂₀-dicarboxylic acids (GA₅₃, GA₄₄, GA₁₉, GA₁₂, GA₁₅, GA₂₄, GA₃₇, GA₂₇, and GA₃₆). In contrast,gai plants had increased levels of C₂₀-tricarboxylic acid GAs (GA₁₇, GA₂₅, and GA₄₁) and of all C₁₉-GAs (GA₂₀, GA₁, GA₈, GA₉, GA₅₁, GA₄, GA₃₄, and GA₇₁) except GA₂₉. The 3β-hydroxylated GAs, GA₁ and GA₄, and their respective 2β-hydroxylated derivatives, GA₈ and GA₃₄, were the most abundant GAs found in shoots of thegai mutant. Thus, thegai mutation inArabidopsis results in a phenotype that resembles GA-deficient mutants, is insensitive to both applied and endogenous GAs, and contains low levels of C₂₀-dicarboxylic acid GAs and high levels of C₁₉-GAs. This indicates that theGAI gene controls a step beyond the synthesis of an active GA. Thegai mutant is presumably a GA-receptor mutant or a mutant with a block in the transduction pathway between the receptor and stem elongation. We thank Dr. L.N. Mander, Australian National University, Canberra, for providing [²H]gibberellins, Dr. B.O. Phinney, University of California, Los Angeles, USA for [¹³C]GA₈, and Dr. D.A. Gage, MSU-NIH Mass Spectrometry Facility (grant No. DRR00480), for advice with mass spectrometry. This work was supported by a fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture (I.N.I.A.) to M.T., by the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract DE-ACO2-76ERO-1338, and by U.S. Department of Agriculture grant No. 88-37261-3434 to J.A.D.Z.     

Gibberellin physiology of safflower: endogenous gibberellins and response to gibberellic acid

Endogenous gibberellins (GAs) were extracted from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) stems and detected by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry from which GA₁, GA₃, GA₁₉,, GA₂₀, GA₂₉, and probably, GA₄₄ were detected. The detection of these GAs suggests that the early 13-OH biosynthetic pathway is prevalent in safflower shoots. Deuterated GAs were used as internal standards and GA concentrations were determined in stems harvested at weekly intervals. GA₁ and GA₁₉ levels per stem increased but concentrations per gram dry weight decreased over time. GA₂₀ was only detected in young stem tissue.Gibberellic acid (GA₃) was also applied in field trials and both GA₃ and the GA biosynthetic inhibitor, paclobutrazol, were applied in growth chamber tests. GA₃ increased epidermal cell size, internode length, and increased internode cell number causing stem elongation. Conversely, paclobutrazol reduced stem height, internode and cell size, cell number and overall shoot weight. In field tests, GA₃ increased total stem weight, but decreased leaf weight, flower bud number and seed yield. Thus, GA₃ promoted vegetative growth at the expense of reproductive commitment. These studies collectively indicate a promotory role of GAs in the control of shoot growth in safflower, and are generally consistent with gibberellin studies of related crop plants. Author for correspondence     

Internode length in Pisum sativum L. The kinetics of growth and [3H]gibberellin A20 metabolism in genotype na Le

The relationship between shoot growth and [³H]gibberellin A₂₀ (GA₂₀) metabolism was investigated in the GA-deficient genotype of peas, na Le. [17-¹³C, ³H₂]gibberellin A₂₀ was applied to the shoot apex and its metabolic fate examined by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of extracts of the shoot and root tissues. As reported before, [¹³C, ³H₂]GA₁, [¹³C, ³H₂]GA₈ and [¹³C, ³H₂]GA₂₉ constituted the major metabolites of [¹³C, ³H₂]GA₂₀ present in the shoot. None of these GAs showed any dilution by endogenous ¹²C-material. [¹³C, ³H₂]GA₂₉-catabolite was also a prominent metabolite in the shoot tissue but showed pronounced isotope dilution probably due to carry-over of endogenous [¹²C]GA₂₉-catabolite from the mature seed. In marked contrast to the shoot tissue, the two major metabolites present in the roots were identified as [¹³C, ³H₂]GA₈-catabolite and [¹³C, ³H₂]GA₂₉-catabolite. Both of these compounds showed strong dilution by endogenous ¹²C-material. Only low levels of [¹³C, ³H₂]GA₁, [¹³C, ³H₂]GA₈, [¹³C, ³H₂]GA₂₀ and [¹³C, ³H₂]GA₂₉ accumulated in the roots. It is suggested that compartmentation of GA-catabolism may occur in the root tissue in an analogous manner to that shown in the testa of developing seeds. Changes in the levels of [1,3-³H₂]GA₂₀ metabolites over 10 d following application of the substrate to the shoot apex of genotype na Le confirmed the accumulation of [³H]GA-catabolites in the root tissues. No evidence was obtained for catabolic loss of [³H]GA₂₀ by complete oxidation or conversion to a methanol-inextractable form. The results indicate that the root system may play an important role in the regulation of biologically active GA levels in the developing shoot of Na genotypes of peas.Abbreviations GA_n gibberellin A_n - GC-MS gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - HPLC high-pressure liquid chromatography     

Internode length in Zea mays L.

[¹³C, ³H]Gibberellin A₂₀ (GA₂₀) has been fed to seedlings of normal (tall) and dwarf-5 and dwarf-1 mutants of maize (Zea mays L.). The metabolites from these feeds were identified by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. [¹³C, ³H]Gibberellin A₂₀ was metabolized to [¹³C, ³H]GA₂₉-catabolite and [¹³C, ³H]GA₁ by the normal, and to [¹³C, ³H]GA₂₉ and [¹³C, ³H]GA₁ by the dwarf-5 mutant. In the dwarf-1 mutant, [¹³C, ³H]GA₂₀ was metabolized to [¹³C, ³H]GA₂₉ and [¹³C, ³H]GA₂₉-catabolite; no evidence was found for the metabolism of [¹³C, ³H]GA₂₀ to [¹³C, ³H]GA₁. [¹³C, ³H]Gibberellin A₈ was not found in any of the feeds. In all feeds no dilution of ¹³C in recovered [¹³C, ³H]GA₂₀ was observed. Also in the dwarf-5 mutant, the [¹³C]label in the metabolites was apparently undiluted by endogenous [¹³C]GAs. However, dilution of the [¹³C]label in metabolites from [¹³C, ³H]GA₂₀ was observed in normal and dwarf-1 seedlings. The results from the feeding studies provide evidence that the dwarf-1 mutation of maize blocks the conversion of GA₂₀ to GA₁.Abbreviations GA_n gibberellin A_n - GC-MS combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography - RP reverse phase     

Gibberellins in shoots of Hordeum vulgare. A comparison between cv. Triumph and two dwarf mutants which differ in their response to gibberellin

The gibberellin (GA) content of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cv. Triumph was analysed by full scan gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Developing grain contained several di-, tri-, and tetra-hydroxylated GAs, with the most abundant ones being hydroxylated at C-2, C-3, C-12β, and/or C-18. In contrast, the only GAs to be detected in shoots of 9-day old dark- and light-grown seedlings of Triumph were 13-hydroxylated C₁₉-GAs, namely GA₁, GA₈, GA₂₀, and GA₂₉, (all of which are components of the early 13-hydroxylation GA biosynthetic pathway) and GA₃. Feeds of [¹³C.³H₂GA₂₀, confirmed that GA₂₀ is a precursor of GA₁, GA₈, and GA₂₉ in barley shoots. From these results it is suggested that stem growth of barley, in common with that of several other mono- and dicotyledons, is controlled by GA,. Homozygous gal and gal lines were obtained after backcrossing to Triumph. These were then compared to Triumph with respect to their GA content and response to applied GAs and GA precursors. Shoots of the homozygous gal gal plants contained ca 6-fold less GA₁, than Triumph. These plants responded to all ent-kaurenoids and 13-hydroxylated C₂₀- and C₁₉-GAs tested. It is concluded that the gal locus impairs the GA biosynthetic pathway prior to ent-kaurene, most probably at ent-kaurene synthetase. In contrast, shoots of homozygous gal gal line contained ca 10-fold higher levels of GA, than Triumph, but failed to respond to applied GA, or GA₃. The gal locus therefore confers insensitivity to both exogenous and endogenous GAs, possibly by perturbing the reception or transduction of the GA₁ signal.     

Identification of six endogenous gibberellins in spinach shoots

Analysis of highly purified extracts from spinach shoots by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has demonstrated the presence of six 13-C-hydroxylated gibberellins (GAs): GA₅₃, GA₄₄, GA₁₉, GA₁₇, GA₂₀, and GA₂₉. The major GAs were GA₁₇, GA₁₉, and GA₂₀, whereas the other three GAs occurred in trace amounts. Structural considerations suggest that the six GAs identified in spinach are related in the following metabolic sequence: GA₅₃ → GA₄₄ → GA₁₉ → GA₁₇ → GA₂₀ → GA₂₉.     

Identification of Gibberellins in Spinach and Effects of Light and Darkness on their Levels

The endogenous gibberellin (GA) content of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) was reinvestigated by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The 13-hydroxy GAs: GA₅₃, GA₄₄, GA₁₉, GA₁₇, GA₂₀, GA₅, GA₁, GA₂₉, and GA₈; the non-3, 13-hydroxy GAs: GA₁₂, GA₁₅, GA₉, and GA₅₁; and the 3β-hydroxy GAs: GA₄, GA₇, and GA₃₄, were identified in spinach extracts by comparing full-scan mass spectra and Kovats retention indices with those of reference GAs. In addition, spinach plants contained GA₇-isolactone, 16,17-dihydro-17-hydroxy-GA₅₃, GA₂₉-catabolite, 3-epi-GA₁, and 10 uncharacterized GAs with mass spectra indicative of mono- and dihydroxy-GA₁₂, monohydroxy-GA₂₅, dihydroxy-GA₂₄, and dihydroxy-GA_g. The effect of light-dark conditions on the GA levels of the 13-hydroxylation pathway was studied by using labeled internal standards in selected ion monitoring mode. In short day, the GA levels were higher at the end of the light period than at the end of the dark period. Levels of GAs at the end of each short day were relatively constant. During the first supplementary light period of long day treatment, GA₅₃ and GA₁₉ declined dramatically, GA₄₄ and GA₁ decreased slightly, and GA₂₀ increased. During the subsequent high-intensity light period, the GA₂₀ level decreased and the levels of GA₅₃, GA₄₄, GA₁₉, and GA₁ increased slightly. Within 7 days after the beginning of long day treatment, similar patterns for GA₅₃ and GA₁₉ occurred. Furthermore, when these plants were transferred to darkness, an increase in the levels of GA₅₃ and GA₁₉ was observed. These results are compatible with the idea that in spinach, the flow through the GA biosynthetic pathway is much enhanced during the high-intensity light period, although GA turnover occurs also during the supplementary period of long day, both effects being responsible for the increase of GA₂₀ and GA₁ in long day.     

Conversion of [14C]gibberellin A12-aldehyde to C19- and C20-gibberellins in a cell-free system from immature seed of Phaseolus coccineus L.

A cell-free system prepared from developing seed of runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.) converted [¹⁴C]gibberellin A₁₂-aldehyde to several products. Thirteen of these were identified by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as gibberellin A₁ (GA₁), GA₄, GA₅, GA₆, GA₁₅, GA₁₇, GA₁₉, GA₂₀, GA₂₄, GA₃₇, GA₃₈, GA₄₄ and GA₅₃-aldehyde, all giving mass spectra with ¹⁴C-isotope peaks. GA₈ and GA₂₈ were also identified but contained no ¹⁴C. All the [¹⁴C]GA₁₂-aldehyde metabolites, except GA₁₅, GA₂₄ and GA₅₃-aldehyde, are known endogenous GAs of P. coccineus.Abbreviations GA_n gibberellin A_n - GC-MS combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - HPLC highperformance liquid chromatography - MVA mevalonic acid - S-2 2000-g supernatant     

The quantitative relationship between gibberellin A1 and internode growth in Pisum sativum L.

The metabolism and growth-promoting activity of gibberellin A₂₀ (GA₂₀) were compared in the internode-length genotypes of pea, na le and na Le. Gibberellin A₂₉ and GA₂₉-catabolite were the major metabolites of GA₂₀ in the genotype na le. However, low levels of GA₁, GA₈ and GA₈-catabolite were also identified as metabolites in this genotype, confirming that the le allele is a leaky mutation. Gibberellin A₂₀ was approximately 20 to 30 times as active in promoting internode growth of genotype na Le as of genotype na le. However, the levels of the 3-hydroxylated metabolite of GA₂₀, GA₈ (2-hydroxy GA₁), were similar for a given growth response in both genotypes. In each case a close linear relationship was observed between internode growth and the logarithm of GA₈ levels. A similar relationship was found on comparing GA₂₀ metabolism in the three genotypes le ^d, le and Le. The former mutation results in a more severe dwarf phenotype than the le allele (which has previously been shown to reduce the 3-hydroxylation of GA₂₀ to GA₁). These results indicate that GA₂₀ has negligible intrinsic activity and support the contention that GA₁ is the only GA active per se in promoting stem growth in pea.Abbreviations GA_n gibberellin A_n - GC-MS gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - HPLC high-pressure liquid chromatography     

The effect of photoperiod on the levels of seven endogenous gibberellins in the long-day plant Agrostemma githago L.

The following seven gibberellins (GAs) have been identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in shoots and leaves of the long-day plant Agrostemma githago: GA₅₃, GA₄₄, GA₁₉, GA₁₇, GA₂₀, GA₁, and 3-epi-GA₁. The levels of these compounds were measured, using selected ion monitoring, during photoperiodic induction. The levels of GA₄₄, GA₁₉, GA₁₇, and GA₂₀ all increased to a peak at eight long days (LD), followed by a decline, while the levels of GA₁ and 3-epi-GA₁ did not reach a peak until 12 LD. The level of GA₅₃ remained steady over the first 10–12 LD. Later in the LD treatment the levels of GA₅₃, GA₄₄, GA₁₉, and GA₁₇ increased again. The rate of metabolism of all GAs except GA₅₃ was higher after 12–16 LD than under short days. These data thus provide indirect evidence for an effect of photoperiodic induction on GA turnover in A. githago.Abbreviations AMO-1618 2-isopropyl-4-dimethylamino-5-methylphenyl-1-piperidine-carboxylate methyl chloride - GA(s) gibberellin(s) - GC-MS gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - LD long day(s) - MeTMS trimethylsilylether of the methyl ester - SD short day(s) - SIM selected ion monitoring     

Hormonal changes associated with fruit set and development in mandarins differing in their parthenocarpic ability

Satsuma [Citrus unshiu (Mak) Marc.] and Clementine [Citrus reticulata (Hort.) Ex. Tanaka, cv. Oroval] are two related species of seedless mandarins which differ in their tendency to set parthenocarpic fruits. Satsuma fruits naturally set parthenocarpically whereas Clementine mandarins show very low ability to set fruit in the absence of cross-pollination. The endogenous levels of gibberellins (GAs) and free and conjugated indole-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) throughout early stages of fruit development were investigated in seedless cultivars of both species. Analyses performed by full-scan combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of extracts from ovaries at anthesis demonstrated the presence of GA₁₉, GA₂₀, GA₂₉, GA₁, GA₈, GA₃ and iso-GA₃ in Satsuma mandarin, whereas only GA₂₉, GA₃ and trace levels of GA₈ were detected in Clementine. At this developmental stage GA-like substances, as estimated by bioassay, reached their highest levels in Satsuma, while Clementine mandarins contained relatively lower levels. In both species the highest levels of free IAA were found at petal-fall stage at which time free ABA levels also peaked. Developing fruits of Clementine had higher amounts of both free IAA and ABA. In Satsuma, levels of conjugated IAA remained low throughout reproductive development whereas in Clementine they increased as the free form declined. In contrast, conjugated ABA was at low levels in Clementine but reached higher concentrations in Satsuma. These results suggest that in these mandarins the potential for setting parthenocarpic fruits is mainly influenced by the hormonal status of the fruit during the later stages of cell division and early stages of cell enlargement. Thus, the condition of low ability to set parthenocarpic fruits appears to be associated with lower levels of active GAs, lower capability to catabolize ABA to conjugated ABA and higher ability to conjugate IAA during this period.     

Effect of temperature regimes on gibberellin levels in thermosensitive dwarf apple trees

Orchard-grown dwarf apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees selected from a hybrid population were propagated by tissue culture but had a growth pattern similar to standard cv. Golden Delicious plants when grown at constant 27°C instead of the expected dwarf pattern of growth. Shoot elongation was markedly reduced, with or without gibberellin A₁ (GA₁) or GA₄ treatment, when trees were grown in an environment where day temperature was maintained at 35°C for 2 h in a ramped regime (night 20°C day ramped to 35°C, held for 2 h and ramped down to 20°C night over a 14-h photoperiod). Application of GA₁ or GA₄ partially overcame growth retardation resulting from prior paclobutrazol treatment of both standard and dwarf trees grown at constant 27°C and of standard trees grown in the ramped environment. However, these GAs had no effect on paclobutrazol-treated or untreated dwarfs grown in the ramped regime. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with labelled internal standards was used to quantify GA₁, GA₃, GA₈, GA₁₉, GA₂₀ and GA₂₉ in extracts from standard and dwarf plants grown either at a constant 27°C or in a 20-30-20°C ramped temperature regime. Standard plants, which elongate quite rapidly in either environment, had similar levels of these GAs in both temperature regimes. The slowly growing dwarfs in the ramped temperature environment contained three times more GA₁₉ than the rapidly elongating dwarfs grown at 27°C. The concentrations of the other GAs were reduced to ca 40% or less in plants grown in the ramped temperature regime compared with those grown at 27°C. These data suggest that shoot elongation of dwarf plants is sensitive to elevated temperatures both as a result of reduced responsiveness to GAs and because of a reduction in the concentration of GA₁, apparently as a result of a lower rate of conversion of GA₁₉ to GA₂₀. It is possible that the altered GA metabolism may be a consequence of the change in GA sensitivity.     

The source of gibberellins in the parthenocarpic development of ovaries on topped pea plants

The role and source of gibberellins (GAs) involved in the development of parthenocarpic fruits of Pisum sativum L. has been investigated. Gibberellins applied to the leaf adjacent to an emasculated ovary induced parthenocarpic fruit development on intact plants. The application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) had to be done within 1 d of anthesis to be fully effective and the response was concentration-dependent. Gibberellin A₁ and GA₃ worked equally well and GA₂₀ was less efficient. [³H]Gibberellin A₁ applied to the leaf accumulated in the ovary and the accumulation was related to the growth response. These experiments show that GA applied to the leaf in high enough concentration is translocated to the ovary. Emasculated ovaries on decapitated pea plants develop without application of growth hormones. When [³H] GA₁ was applied to the leaf adjacent to the ovary a substantial amount of radioactivity accumulated in the growing shoot of intact plants. In decapitated plants, however, this radioactivity was mainly found in the ovary. There it caused growth proportional to the accumulation of CA₁. Application of LAB 150978, an inhibitor of GA biosynthesis, to decapitated plants inhibited parthenocarpic fruit development and this inhibition was counteracted by the application of GA₃ (either to the fruit, or the leaf adjacent to the ovary, or through the lower cut end of the stem). All evidence taken together supports the view that parthenocarpic pea fruit development on topped plants depends on the import of gibberellins or their precursors, probably from the vegetative aerial parts of the plant.Abbreviations FW flesh weight - GA_n gibberellin A_n - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography