Conversion of [(14)C]gibberellin A 12-aldehyde to C 19- and C 20-gibberellins in a cell-free system from immature seed of Phaseolus coccineus L

Expression of two genes encoding gibberellin 2- and 3-oxidases in developing seeds of Phaseolus coccineus

We have isolated PcGA3ox1, a cDNA clone from developing runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus) seeds that shows significant amino acid homology with the gibberellin (GA) 3-oxidases. A recombinant fusion protein of PcGA3ox1 converted GA20 and GA9 to GA1 and GA4, respectively. In situ hybridization results showed that transcripts of this gene accumulate specifically within the suspensor of globular-stage embryos. PcGA3ox1 mRNA begins to accumulate in the epidermal cells of the embryo proper and is also detectable in the endosperm during the transition from globular- to heart-stage embryos. PcGA3ox1 transcripts were localized exclusively in the cotyledons from the early cotyledonary stage up to the cotyledonary stage. Transcripts of the previously cloned GA 2-oxidase (PcGA2ox1) from developing seeds of runner bean were found primarily within the suspensor neck region from the late globular stage up to the heart stage. PcGA2ox1 mRNA was detectable in the whole suspensor from the early cotyledonary stage, and was found in the inner layer of integuments at the cotyledonary stage. Soluble enzyme preparations made from suspensors and embryos at two stages of embryogenesis (the heart and cotyledonary stages) were incubated with [14C]GA20 and [14C]GA1. Only young suspensor preparations converted GA20 to GA1 and GA5. Both suspensor preparations converted GA1 to GA8. Both embryo preparations converted GA20 to GA1, but were unable to convert GA1 to GA8.

GIBBERELLIN BIOSYNTHESIS: Enzymes, Genes and Their Regulation

The recent impressive progress in research on gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis has resulted primarily from cloning of genes encoding biosynthetic enzymes and studies with GA-deficient and GA-insensitive mutants. Highlights include the cloning of ent-copalyl diphosphate synthase and ent-kaurene synthase (formally ent-kaurene synthases A and B) and the demonstration that the former is targeted to the plastid; the finding that the Dwarf-3 gene of maize encodes a cytochrome P450, although of unknown function; and the cloning of GA 20-oxidase and 3beta-hydroxylase genes. The availability of cDNA and genomic clones for these enzymes is enabling the mechanisms by which GA concentrations are regulated by environmental and endogenous factors to be studied at the molecular level. For example, it has been shown that transcript levels for GA 20-oxidase and 3beta-hydroxylase are subject to feedback regulation by GA action and, in the case of the GA 20-oxidase, are regulated by light. Also discussed is other new information, particularly from mutants, that has added to our understanding of the biosynthetic pathway, the enzymes, and their regulation and tissue localization.

Gibberellin biosynthesis from gibberellin A12-aldehyde in a cell-free system from germinating barley (Hordeum vulgare L., cv. Himalaya) embryos

Gibberellin (GA) metabolism from GA12-aldehyde was studied in cell-free systems from 2-d-old germinating embryos of barley. [(14)C]- or [17-(2)H2]Gibberellins were used as substrates and all products were identified by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Stepwise analysis demonstrated the conversion of GA12-aldehyde via the 13-deoxy pathway to GA51 and via the 13-hydroxylation pathway to GA29, GA1 and GA8. In addition, GA3 was formed from GA20 via GA5. We conclude that the embryo is capable of producing gibberellins that can induce α-amylase production in the aleurone layer. There was no evidence for 12β- or 18-hydroxylation and GA4 was neither synthesised nor metabolised by the system. All metabolically obtained GAs, with the exception of GA3, were also found as endogenous components of the cell-free system in spite of ammonium-sulfate precipitation and desalting steps.

The partial purification and characterization of a gibberellin C-20 hydroxylase from immature Pisum sativum L. seeds

A gibberellin (GA) C-20 hydroxylase that catalyses the conversion of GA53 to GA44 was purified from developing pea embryos by ammonium-sulfate precipitation, gel filtration and anion-exchange column chromatography. The purification was about 270-fold and 15% of the enzymic activity was recovered. The relative molecular mass was 44000 by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. The apparent Michaelis constant was 0.7 μM and the isoelectric point was 5.6-5.9. The enzymic activity was optimal at pH 7.0 2-Oxoglutarate and ascorbate were required for activity. Low concentrations of Fe(2+) stimulated the reaction, but externally added Fe(2+) was not essential, even in the most purified preparation. Catalase and bovine serum albumin also stimulated. Dithiothreitol preserved the activity during purification but was not needed during incubation. In fact, the simultaneous presence of dithiothreitol and Fe(2+) in the incubation mixture was inhibitory to the purified enzyme. The cofactor requirements are typical for those of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases.When the incubation time was long enough, GA53 was converted to both GA44 and GA19. The proportions of these two products remained constant throughout the purification, but this does not necessarily mean that their formations is catalysed by a single enzyme. Sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the final preparation contained several proteins. Although the most prominent protein band was located within the range expected for the enzyme on the grounds of its molecular weight, this band did not represent the enzyme, since it separated from the GA C-20 hydroxylase activity on ultrathin-layer isoeletric focusing.

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 2β-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 2β-hydroxylated ones, were greater in the embryos than in the testas. Conversely, the contents of GA8 and GA29, both 2β-hydroxylated, were much higher in the testas than in the embryos.