Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Gibberellin Biosynthesis and Metabolism

  • Chapter
Plant Hormones and their Role in Plant Growth and Development

Abstract

The gibberellins (GAs), unlike other groups of plant hormones, are defined by their chemical structure rather than by their biological activity. The GAs are all diterpenoid acids which have the same basic ent-gibberellane ring structure (structure 1). Within this basic ring system there are two main types of GAs, namely the C20-GAS which have a full complement of 20 carbon atoms (structure 2), and the C19-GAS in which the twentieth carbon atom has been lost by metabolism (structure 3). In all but one of the C19-GAS the carboxylic acid at carbon-19 bonds to carbon-10 to give a lactone bridge.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Albone, K.S., Gaskin, P., MacMillan, J., Sponsel, V.M. (1984) Identification and localization of gibberellins in maturing seeds of the cucurbit Sechium edule, and a comparison between this cucurbit and the legume Phaseolus coccineus. Planta 162, 560–65.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Arigayo, S., Sakata, K., Fujisawa, S., Sakurai, A., Adisewoju, S.S., Takahashi, N. (1983) Characterization of gibberellins in immature seeds of Leucaena leucocephala (Lmk) De. Wit. Agric. Biol. Chem. 47, 2939–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Bearder, J.R. (1980) Plant hormones and other growth substances - their background, structures and occurrence. In Hormonal regulation of development. I, Molecular aspects of plant hormones. Encyclopaedia of Plant Physiology New Series, Vol. 9, pp. 9–112, MacMillan, J. ed., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Beytia, E.D., Porter, J.W. (1976) Biochemistry of polyisoprenoid biosynthesis. Ann. Rev. Biochem. 45, 113–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Birch, A.J., Richards, R.W., Smith, H., Harris, A., Whalley, W.B. (1959) Studies in relation to biosynthesis-XXI. Rosenonolactone and gibberellic acid. Tetrahedron 7, 241–51.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Blechschmidt, S., Castel, U., Gaskin, P., Hedden, P., Graebe, J.E., MacMillan J. (1984) GC/MS analysis of plant hormones in seeds of Cucurbita maxima. Phytochem. 23, 553–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Coolbaugh, R.C. (1983) Early stages of gibberellin biosynthesis. In The biochemistry and physiology of gibberellins. Vol. 1, pp. 53–98. Crozier, A. ed., Praeger, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Cross, B.E., Grove, J.F., MacMillan, J., Mulholland, T.P.C. (1956) Gibberellic acid, Part IV. The structures of gibberic and alio gibberic acids and possible structures for gibberellic acid. Chem. and Ind. 1956, 954–55.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Davies, P.J., Emshwiller, E., Gianfagna, T.J., Proebsting, W.M., Noma, M., Pharis, R.P. (1982) The endogenous gibberellins of vegetative and reproductive tissue of G2 peas. Planta 154, 266–72.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Dicks, J.W. (1979) Modes of action of growth retardants. In Recent developments in the use of plant growth retardants. Monograph 4, pp. 1–14. Clifford, D.R., Lenton, J.R. eds. British Plant Growth Regulator Group, Wantage.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Dockerill, R.C., Hanson, J.R. (1978) Fate of C-20 in C19-gibberellin biosynthesis. Phytochem. II, 317–26.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Duncan, J.D., West, C.A. (1981) Properties of kaurene synthetase from Marah macrocarpus endosperm. Evidence for the participation of separate but interacting enzymes. Plant Physiol. 68, 1128–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Durley, R.C., MacMillan, J., Pryce, R.P. (1971) Investigation of gibberellins and other growth substances in the seed of Phaseolus multiflorus and of Phaseolus vulgaris by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Phytochem. 10, 1891–1908.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Fujisawa, S., Yamaguchi, I., Park, K. H., Kobayashi, M., Takahashi, N. (1985) Qualitative and semi-quantitative analyses of gibberellins in immature seeds of Pharbitis purpurea. Agric. Biol. Chem. 49, 27–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Gafni, Y., Schechter, I. (1981) Isolation of a kaurene synthetase inhibitor from castor bean seedlings and cell suspension cultures. Plant Physiol. 67, 1169–73.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Gaskin, P., Kirkwood, P.S., Lenton, J.R., MacMillan, J., Radley, M.E (1980) Identification of gibberellins in developing wheat grain. Agric. Biol. Chem. 44, 158–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Gilmour, S.J., Gaskin, P., Sponsel, V.M., MacMillan, J. (1984) Metabolism of gibberellins by immature barley grain. Planta 161, 186–92.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Graebe, J.E. (1980) GA-biosynthesis: the development and application of cell-free systems for biosynthetic studies. In Plant Growth Substances 1979, pp. 180–187, Skoog, F. ed. Springer Verlag, Heidelberg.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Graebe, J.E. (1982) Gibberellin biosynthesis in cell-free systems from higher plants. In Plant Growth Substances 1982, pp. 72–80, Wareing, P.F. ed. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Graebe, J.E., Hedden, P., Gaskin, P., MacMillan, J. (1974) Biosynthesis of gibberellin A12, A15, A24, A36 and A37 by a cell-free system from Cucurbita maxima. Phytochem. 13, 1433–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Graebe, J.E., Hedden, P., Gaskin, P., MacMillan, J. (1974). The biosynthesis of a C19- gibberellin from mevalonic acid in a cell-free system from a higher plant. Planta 120, 307–309.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Graebe, J.E., Ropers, H.J. (1978) Gibberellins. In Phytohormones and related compounds - a comprehensive treatise. Vol. 1, pp. 107–204, Letham, D.S., Goodwin, P.B., Higgins, T.J.V. eds. Elsevier/North Holland Biomedical Press, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Hasson, E.P., West, C.A. (1976). Properties of the system for the mixed function oxidation of kaurene and kaurene derivatives in microsomes of immature seeds of Marah macrocarpus. Cofactor requirements. Plant Physiol. 58, 473–78.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Hasson, E.P., West, C.A. (1976) Properties of the system for the mixed function oxidation of kaurene and kaurene derivatives in microsomes of the immature seed of Marah macrocarpus. Electron transfer components. Plant Physiol. 58, 479–484.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Hedden, P. (1983) In vitro metabolism of gibberellins. In The biochemistry and physiology of gibberellins. Vol. 1, pp. 99–150, Crozier, A. ed. Praeger, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Hedden, P., Graebe, J.E. (1982) The cofactor requirements for the soluble oxidases in the metabolism of the C20-gibberellins. J. Plant Growth Regulation 1, 105–116.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Hedden, P., Graebe, J.E., Beale, M.H., Gaskin, P., MacMillan, J. (1984) The biosynthesis of 12a-hydroxylated gibberellins in a cell-free system from Cucurbita maxima endosperm. Phytochem. 23, 569–74.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Hedden, P., MacMillan, J., Phinney, B.O. (1978) The metabolism of the gibberellins. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 29, 149–192.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Hedden, P., Phinney, B.O. (1979) Comparison of eni-kaurene and e/if-isokaurene synthesis in cell-free systems from etiolated shoots of normal and dwarf-5 maize seedlings. Phytochem. 18, 1475–79.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Hiraga, K., Kawabe, S., Yokota, T., Murofushi, N., Takahashi, N. (1974) Isolation and characterization of plant growth substances in immature seeds and etiolated seedlings of Phaseolus vulgaris. Agr. Biol. Chem. 38, 2521–27.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Hoad, G.V., MacMillan, J., Smith, V.A., Sponsel, V.M., Taylor, D.A. (1982) Gibberellin 2p-hydroxylases and biological activity of 2p-alkyl gibberellins. In Plant Growth Substances 1982, pp. 91–100, Wareing, P.F. ed. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Ingram, T.J., Reid, J.B., Murfet, I.C., Gaskin, P., Willis, C.L., MacMillan, J. (1984) Internode length in Pisum. The Le gene controls the 3p-hydroxylation of gibberellin A20 to gibberellin Ax. Planta 160, 455–63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Kamiya, Y., Graebe, J.E. (1983) The biosynthesis of all major pea gibberellins in a cell- free system from Pisum sativum. Phytochem. 22, 681–90.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Kamiya, Y., Takahshi, N., Graebe, J.E. (1986) The loss of the C-20 carbon atom in C19-gibberellin biosynthesis in a cell-free system from Pisum sativum. Planta, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Kobayashi, M., Yamaguchi, I., Murofushi, N., Ota, Y., Takahashi, N. (1984) Endogenous gibberellins in immature seeds and flowering ears of rice. Agric. Biol. Chem. 48, 2725–29.

    Google Scholar 

  36. MacMillan, J. (1984) Analysis of plant hormones and metabolism of gibberellins. In The biosynthesis and metabolism of plant hormones, pp. 1-16, Crozier, A., Hillman, J.R. eds. Soc. Exp. Biol. Seminar 23, Cambridge U.P., Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  37. MacMillan, J., Takahashi, N. (1968) Proposed procedure for the allocation of trivial names to the gibberellins. Nature 217,170–71.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Metzger, J.D., Zeevaart, J.A.D. (1980) Effect of photoperiod on the levels of endogenous gibberellins in spinach as measured by combined gas chromatography — selected ion current monitoring. Plant Physiol. 66, 844–46.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Ogura, K., Nishino, T., Seto, S. (1968) The purification of prenyl transferase and isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase of pumpkin fruit and some of their properies. J. Biochem. 64, 197–203.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Ogura, K., Shinka, T., Seto, S. (1972) The purification and properties of geranyl pyrophosphate synthetase from pumpkin fruits. J. Biochem. 72, 1101–1110.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Rademacher, W., Jung, J., Graebe, J.E., Schwenen, L. (1984) On the mode of action of tetcyclasis and triazole growth retardants. In Biochemical aspects of synthetic and naturally occurring plant growth regulators. Monograph 11, pp. 1–11, Menhennet, R., Lawrence, D.K. eds. British Plant Growth Regulator Group, Wantage.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Railton, I.D., Fellows, B., West, C.A. (1984) erci-Kaurene synthesis in chloroplasts from higher plants. Phytochem. 23, 1261–67.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Phinney, B.O. (1984) Gibberellin Alf dwarfism and the control of shoot elongation in higher plants. In The biosynthesis and metabolism of plant hormones, pp. 17–41, Crozier, A., Hillman, J.R. eds. Soc. Exp. Biol. Seminar23. Cambridge U.P., Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Smith, V.A., MacMillan, J. (1984) Purification and partial characterization of a gibberellin 2P-hydroxylase fromPkaseolus vulgaris. J. Plant. Growth Regul. 2, 251–64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Sponsel, V.M. (1983) The localization, metabolism and biological activity of gibberellins in maturing and germinating seeds of Pisum sativum cv. Progress No. 9. Planta 159, 454–68.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Sponsel, V.M. (1983) In vivo gibberellin metabolism in higher plants. In The biochemistry and physiology of gibberellins. Vol. 1, pp. 151–250, Crozier, A. ed. Praeger, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Sponsel, V.M. (1985) Gibberellins in Pisum sativum—their nature, distribution and involvement in growth and development of the plant. Plant Physiol. 65, 533–38.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Spray, C.R., Phinney, B.O., Gaskin, P., Gilmour, S.J., MacMillan, J. (1984) Internode length in Zea mays L. The dwarf-1 mutation controls the 3p-hydroxylation of gibberellin A20 to gibberellin Av Planta 160, 464–68.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. West, C.A. (1973) Biosynthesis of gibberellins. In Biosynthesis and its control in plants, pp. 473–82. Milborrow, B. V. ed., Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  50. West, C.A., Shen-Miller, J., Railton, I.D. (1982) Regulation of kaurene synthetase. In: Plant growth substances 1982, pp. 81–90. Wareing, P.F. ed., Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry, The University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 ITS, England

    Valerie M. Sponsel

Authors
  1. Valerie M. Sponsel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Plant Biology New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

    Peter J. Davies

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1987 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sponsel, V.M. (1987). Gibberellin Biosynthesis and Metabolism. In: Davies, P.J. (eds) Plant Hormones and their Role in Plant Growth and Development. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3585-3_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3585-3_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-247-3498-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-3585-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation