The Metabolism of Abscisic Acid

The light-catalysed isomerization of (+)-abscisic acid (ABA)to its trans isomer during isolation from leaves was monitoredby the addition of (±)-[2-¹⁴C]ABA to the extraction medium.(+)Trans-abscisic acid (t-ABA) was found to occur naturallyin rose (Rosa arvensis) leaves at 20µg/kg fresh weight;(+)-ABA was present at 594µg/kg. (±)-[2-¹⁴D]Trans-abscisicacid was not isomerized enzymically to ABA in tomato shoots. (±)-Abscisic acid was converted by tomato shoots to awater-soluble neutral product, ‘Metabolite B’, whichwas identified as abscisyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside. When(±)-[2-¹⁴C]trans-abscisic acid in an equimolar mixturewith (±)-[2-¹⁴C}ABA was fed to tomato shoots it was convertedto its glucose ester 10 times faster than was ABA. Trans-abscisyl-ß-D-glucopyrano8ide only was formedfrom (±)-[2-¹⁴C]t-ABA in experiments lasting up to 30h. Glucosyl abscisate was formed slowly from ABA and the freeacid fraction contained an excess of the unnatural (–).ABAas did the ABA released from abscisyl-ß-D-glucopyranosideby alkaline hydrolysis. The (+).ABA appeared to be the solesource of the acidic ‘Metabolite C" previously noted. The concentrations of endogenous (+)-, (+)-[2-¹⁴C]-, and (–)-[2-¹⁴C]ABAremaining as free acid, and also in the hydrolysate of abscisyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside,were measured by the ORD, UV absorption, and scintillation spectrometryof highly purified extracts of ABA from tomato shoots whichhad been supplied with racemic [2-^l4C]ABA.     

Chemistry of Abscisic Acid, Abscisic Acid Catabolites and Analogs

Recently there have been breakthroughs on a number of fronts in abscisic acid (ABA) biology research that have advanced the field significantly, including discovery of genes involved in ABA metabolism, along with progress in understanding of ABA signaling (Finkelstein and others 2002; Kushiro and others 2004; Lim and others 2005; Saito and others 2004). At the same time, the chemistry of ABA has advanced. New analytical methods have been developed for profiling ABA and catabolites (Ross and others 2004; Zaharia and others 2005). Novel bioactive catabolites have been discovered from feeding studies with deuterated ABA and catabolites (Zaharia and others 2004; Zhou and others 2004). This review covers recent advances and prospects in natural products chemistry, analysis of ABA catabolism, and applications of ABA analogs for biochemical studies and horticultural uses.     

Abscisic Acid Levels in Soybean Reproductive Structures during Development

Abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations and growth rates of developing soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr. cv. Wye) seeds and pod walls were determined from anthesis to maturation using high pressure liquid chromatographic techniques. Developing soybean seeds contain up to 12,200 ng/g fresh weight of ABA compared to 330 ng/g fresh weight for pod walls. In the developing seeds ABA levels correlated with growth rates, being the highest during the most active growth period of seed enlargement, and then decreasing to less than 10 ng/g fresh weight at maturity. Higher levels of ABA were found to occur in the cotyledons and seed coats than the root-shoot axes at 21 days postanthesis. The time required for excised root-shoot axes to initiate growth in liquid culture decreased as seed development progressed and ABA levels of the seeds declined.     

植物ABA受体及其介导的信号转导通路

ABA是调控植物体生长发育和响应外界应激的重要植物激素之一。近年来, ABA受体的筛选和鉴定取得了突破性进展, 为植物中ABA信号转导通路的阐明奠定了重要基础。该文主要综述了ABA-binding protein/H subunit of Mgchelatase (ABAR/CHLH)、G protein-coupled receptor 2 (GCR2)、GPCR-type G protein 1/2 (GTG1/2)和pyrabactin resistant/PYR-like/regulatory component of ABA (PYR/PYL/RCAR)被报道为ABA受体的研究历程, 重点介绍了以ABAR/CHLH PYR/PYL/RCAR为受体的ABA信号转导通路模型的构建, 旨在为ABA受体及其信号转导通路的相关研究提供参考。     

The Selective Effect of Abscisic Acid on Ribonucleic Acid Components

As determined by methylated albumin kieselguhr (MAK) fractionation, GA₃ (gibberellic acid) significantly increased and ABA (abscisic acid) decreased RNA levels. In the case of ABA this effect was selective, the ribosomal RNA manifesting the typical decrease; while the sRNA peak was markedly increased. The pattern of labelled uridine incorporation into RNA resembles the MAK absorbancy profile and here as well, ABA although causing an overall decrease, increases labelling in the sRNA peak. The results are interpreted as a possible selective effect of ABA or alternatively as an accumulation in the sRNA peak of rRNA breakdown products. From in vitro experiments it was furthermore evident that ABA mediated RNA hydrolysis probably does not involve a direct activation of RNase by ABA. The in vivo effect would probably be devious.     

Distribution of Abscisic Acid in Maize Kernel during Grain Filling

The distribution of abscisic acid (ABA) within maize (Zea mays L.) kernels was studied in kernels from nontreated plants, from plants in which assimilate supply had been altered by source/sink manipulations, and in kernels cultured in vitro on ABA-free media. Prior to growth of the embryo, both the pedicel/placento-chalazal complex and the endosperm contained high concentration of ABA; however, the quantity of ABA in these tissues declined as the concentration in the embryo increased during the early stages of embryo growth. Peaks in the levels of ABA appeared to occur prior to and not concurrent with physiological events during grain filling. During most of the grain filling period, ABA concentration in the embryo was higher than that found in other kernel components. Altering assimilate supply by partial defoliation at two stages of development resulted in variable and transient effects on the relative distribution and concentration of ABA in kernel components. The concentration and distribution of ABA among components of kernels grown in vitro was similar to that observed for field-grown kernels. On the basis of these findings, in situ synthesis of ABA by kernel components is implicated and the putative role of ABA in the regulation of kernel development is discussed.     

Studies on Abscisic Acid

Methyl α-cyclocitrylideneacetate was successively oxidized with selenium dioxide and chromium trioxide-pyridine complex to give methyl 1′-hydroxy-α-cyclocitrylideneacetate and a mixture of methyl 3′-keto-β-cyclocitrylideneacetate and methyl 4′-keto-α-cyclocitrylideneacetate. Further, oxidation of methyl α-cyclocitrylideneacetate with tert-butyl chromate afforded methyl 4′-keto-α-cyclocitrylideneacetate and methyl 1′-hydroxy-4′-keto-α-cyclocitry-lineacetate. Similarly, methyl α-cyclogeranate was oxidized to methyl 3-keto-β-cyclogeranate and methyl 4-keto-α-cyclogeranate. Methyl l′-hydroxy-4′-keto-α-cyclocitrylideneacetate, methyl l-hydroxy-4-keto-α-cyclogeranate and their related compounds did not show growth inhibitory activities on rice seedlings.     

Studies on Abscisic Acid

Epoxidation of methyl dehydro-β-ionylideneacetates with perbenzoic acid afforded methyl 1′, 2′-epoxy-dehydro-β-ionylideneacetates and then methyl 1′, 2′-, 3′, 4′-di-epoxy-dehydro-β-ionylideneacetates. 1′,2′-Epoxy-dehydro-β-ionone, obtained byepoxidation of dehydro-β-ionone, was treated with carbethoxymethylenetriphenlphosphorane to give ethyl 1′, 2′-epoxy-dehydro-β-ionylideneacetates. Further, sensitive photooxidation of ethyl dehydro-β-ionylidenecrotonate, followed by alkaline hydrolysis, gave 1′-hydroxy-4′-keto-α-ionylidenecrotonic acid. Growth inhibitory activities of the above compounds on rice seedlings were examined.     

Abscisic Acid Translocation and Influence of Water Stress on Grain Abscisic Acid Content

The movement of foliar applied [1-¹⁴C]abscisic acid (ABA) inwheat plants (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Kolibri) was investigatedat two stages of grain development (1000 grains, weight 19 and24 g dry matter). [1–¹⁴C]ABA seemed to be readily translocated within 12h into the developing grains as well as in other plant parts.A subsequent rapid metabolism took place leading to a decreasedactivity of the ABA-containing chromatogram fraction in theyounger plants 48 h after application. The metabolism seemodto be less intensive in the older grains, where the activityrunning with the ABA increased over 64 h. Treating the leaves of barley plants (Hordeum vulgare, L., cv.Union) 2 weeks after anthesis with a gentle stream of warm air(36° C) resulted in a significant increase in the ABA contentof all parts of the ear. The results mentioned above indicatethat this may be partially due to translocation from other partsof the plant such as the leaves.     

脱落酸信号转导研究进展

脱落酸（ABA）对植物生长发育和适应环境胁迫等多方面有重要的调节作用,其信号转导机制非常引人注目,近年来这方面研究进展很快,本文利用现有文献,对脱落酶不敏感和超敏感性突变体,脱落酸的结合位点与受体,ABA信号转涉及的细胞第二信使（Ca^2 ,磷酸肌醇,cADPR,阴离子通道与H^ ), 蛋白质可逆磷酸化以及ABA诱导基因表达所必需的顺序作用元件（cis-acting elenment)和反式作用因子（trans-acting factor)等几方面的最新研究进展作了介绍。     

Studies on Abscisic Acid

Oxidation of 2-cis-α-ionylidene-ethanol (II) with active MnO₂ afforded a mixture of 2-cis and 2-trans-α-ionylideneacetaldehydes (III and IV). Reduction of methyl epoxy-α- and -β-ionylideneacetates (Vb, Xb XXIb and XXIIb) with LiAlH₄ gave the diols (VI, XI, XXIII and XXIV). The Wittig reaction of the hydroxyketones (XIII and XVIII) with carbethoxymethylenetriphenylphosphorane, followed by alkaline hydrolysis, yielded 5-(1′-and 2′-hydroxy-2′,6′,6′-trimethyl-1′-cyclohexyl)-3-methylpentadienoic acids (XIVa, XVa, XIXa and XXa). The reaction of α-cyclocitrylideneacetaldehyde (XXVII) and dihydro-α-ionone (XXXIII) with carbethoxymethylenetriphenylphosphorane afforded ethyl 3-demethyl-α-ionyli-deneacetate (XXVIIIb) and ethyl dihydro-α-ionylideneacetates (XXXIVb and XXXVb). Physiological activities of the above synthesized compounds on rice seedlings were examined.     

Studies on Abscisic Acid

Methyl α-ionylideneacetates were oxidized with selenium dioxide to a mixture of methyl 3′-keto-β-ionylideneacetates and a small amount of methyl 4′-keto-α-ionylidene-acetates followed by treatment with active manganese dioxide. By a similar oxidation methyl 3′-keto-β-ionylideneacetates were prepared from methyl β-ionylidene acetates. Methyl 4′-keto-α-ionylideneacetates were obtained by oxidation of methyl α-ionylideneacetates with tert-butyl chromate. Dehydrobromination of methyl bromoionylideneacetate, obtained by bromination of methyl 2-trans-α-ionylideneacetate with N-bromosuccinimide, gave a mixture of methyl 2-trans-dehydro-β-ionylideneacetate and methyl 2-cis-dehydro-β-ionylideneacetate. The growth inhibitory activities of these sesquiterpene carboxylic acids and keto esters on rice seedlings were tested.     

Studies on Abscisic Acid

Photosensitized oxygenation of dehydro-β-ionylidene-ethanol afforded 1′-hydroxy-4′keto-α-ionylidene-ethanol, which was oxidized with active MnO₂ to give 1′-hydroxy-4′-keto-α-ionylidene-acetaldehyde. The Wittig reaction of α-ionylideneacetaldehyde with carbethoxymethylenetriphenylphosphorane or the phosphorane prepared from ethyl γ-bromosenecioate gave ethyl α-ionylidene-crotonate or ethyl α-ionylidenesenecioate. Vitamin A₂ acid ethyl ester was converted to the hydroxy-keto-ester by photosensitized oxygenation. About the above synthesized compounds were examined growth inhibitory activities on rice seedlings.     

Studies on Abscisic Acid

Oxidation of methvl 2-trans-β-ionylideneacetate with X-bromosuccinimide afforded methyl 2-cis and trans-3′-hydroxy-β-ionylideneacetates. NaBH₄ reduction of methyl 2-cis-3′-keto-β-ionylideneacetate and ethyl 4′-keto-α-ionylideneacetate gave methyl 2-cis-3′-hydroxy-β-ionylideneacetate and ethyl 4′-hydroxy-α-ionyiideneacetate respectively. Further, methyl 4′-methoxy-epoxy-α-ionylideneacetate was prepared by epoxidation of methyl 4′-methoxy-α-ionylideneacetate. And then methyl 4′-hydroxy-l′, 2′-dihydro-β-ionylideneacetate was synthesized from ethyl 4-keto-α-cyclogeranate. Growth inhibitory activities of the above compounds on rich seedlings were examined.     

脱落酸在植物花发育过程中的作用

植物激素脱落酸(ABA)对植物的生长发育具有多方面的调节作用,比如种子休眠、萌发,营养生长,环境胁迫反应等。大量研究显示,ABA也参与了植物的成花调控。影响植物成花调控的环境因子,包括光周期变化、春化作用、干旱等均会导致植物体内ABA代谢的变化。本文从调控植物开花的4条主要途径与植物体内ABA代谢变化之间的相互关系,花芽分化时期ABA在植物叶芽和花芽中的动态分布以及离体培养条件下ABA对花芽分化的影响等方面总结了ABA与植物花发育这一领域的最新研究进展。对ABA在植物成花诱导和花发育中的作用进行了综合分析。     

脱落酸（ABA） 受体的研究进展

植物激素脱落酸(ABA)在植物对逆境适应及种子发育过程中具有重要的生理功能。尽管ABA作用的分子机制还不清楚,ABA受体还未得到鉴定,但近年来对ABA结合蛋白的研究取得了可喜的进展,已在多种植物中证明存在与ABA有高亲和力的结合蛋白。ABA的识别到底发生在胞外还是胞内,近几年随着微注射技术的应用,也得到不少实验证据。ABA信号的转导途径,特别是位于下游区域参与信号传递的物质的研究取得重大进展,其中以ABA调节气孔保卫细胞开关的信号传递成为研究这一领域的模式体系。     

脱落酸信号转导研究进展

脱落酸(ABA)对植物生长发育和适应环境胁迫等多方面有重要的调节作用,其信号转导机制非常引人注目,近年来这方面研究进展很快。本文利用现有文献,对脱落酸不敏感和超敏感性突变体、脱落酸的结合位点与受体、ABA信号转导涉及的细胞第二信使（Ca2+、磷酸肌醇、cADPR、阴离子通道与H+）、蛋白质可逆磷酸化以及ABA诱导基因表达所必需的顺式作用元件(cis-acting element) 和反式作用因子trans-acting factor）等几方面的最新研究进展作了介绍。