Biological activity of some conjugated gibberellins

Microbial diversity of vermicompost bacteria that exhibit useful agricultural traits and waste management potential

Vermicomposting is a non-thermophilic, boioxidative process that involves earthworms and associated microbes. This biological organic waste decomposition process yields the biofertilizer namely the vermicompost. Vermicompost is a finely divided, peat like material with high porosity, good aeration, drainage, water holding capacity, microbial activity, excellent nutrient status and buffering capacity thereby resulting the required physiochemical characters congenial for soil fertility and plant growth. Vermicompost enhances soil biodiversity by promoting the beneficial microbes which inturn enhances plant growth directly by production of plant growth-regulating hormones and enzymes and indirectly by controlling plant pathogens, nematodes and other pests, thereby enhancing plant health and minimizing the yield loss. Due to its innate biological, biochemical and physiochemical properties, vermicompost may be used to promote sustainable agriculture and also for the safe management of agricultural, industrial, domestic and hospital wastes which may otherwise pose serious threat to life and environment.

Gibberellin biosynthesis and its regulation

The GAs (gibberellins) comprise a large group of diterpenoid carboxylic acids that are ubiquitous in higher plants, in which certain members function as endogenous growth regulators, promoting organ expansion and developmental changes. These compounds are also produced by some species of lower plants, fungi and bacteria, although, in contrast to higher plants, the function of GAs in these organisms has only recently been investigated and is still unclear. In higher plants, GAs are synthesized by the action of terpene cyclases, cytochrome P450 mono-oxygenases and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases localized, respectively, in plastids, the endomembrane system and the cytosol. The concentration of biologically active GAs at their sites of action is tightly regulated and is moderated by numerous developmental and environmental cues. Recent research has focused on regulatory mechanisms, acting primarily on expression of the genes that encode the dioxygenases involved in biosynthesis and deactivation. The present review discusses the current state of knowledge on GA metabolism with particular emphasis on regulation, including the complex mechanisms for the maintenance of GA homoeostasis.

Conjugates of abscisic acid, brassinosteroids, ethylene, gibberellins, and jasmonates

Phytohormones, including auxins, abscisic acid, brassinosteroids, cytokinins, ethylene, gibberellins, and jasmonates, are involved in all aspects of plant growth, and developmental processes as well as environmental responses. However, our understanding of hormonal homeostasis is far from complete. Phytohormone conjugation is considered as a part of the mechanism to control cellular levels of these compounds. Active phytohormones are changed into multiple forms by acylation, esterification or glycosylation, for example. It seems that conjugated compounds could serve as pool of inactive phytohormones that can be converted to active forms by de-conjugation reactions. Some conjugates are thought to be temporary storage forms, from which free active hormones can be released after hydrolysis. It is also believed that conjugation serves functions, such as irreversible inactivation, transport, compartmentalization, and protection against degradation. The nature of abscisic acid, brassinosteroid, ethylene, gibberellin, and jasmonate conjugates is discussed.

Quantitation of gibberellins and the metabolism of [(3)H]gibberellin A 1 during somatic embryogenesis in carrot and anise cell cultures

In a carrot (Daucus carota L.) cell line lacking the ability to undergo somatic embryogenasis, and in carrot and anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) cell lines in which embryogenesis could be regulated by presence or absence of 2,4-dichlorophen-oxyacetic acid (2,4-D), in the medium (+2,4-D=no embryogenesis,-2,4-D=embryo differentiation and development), the levels of endogenous gibberellin(s) (GA) were determined by the dwarfrice bioassay, and the metabolism of [(3)H]GA1 was followed. Embryos harvested after 14 d of subculture in-2,4-D had low levels (0.2-0.3 μg g(-1) dry weight) of polar GA (e.g. GA1-like), but much (3-22 times) higher levels of less-polar GA (GA4/7-like); GA1, GA4 and GA7 are native to these cultures. Conversely, the undifferentiated cells in a non-embryogenic strain, and proembryos of an embryogenic strain (+2,4-D) showed very high levels of polar GA (2.9-4.4 μg g(-1)), and somewhat reduced levels of less-polar GA. Cultures of anise undergoing somatic embryo development (-2,4-D) metabolized [(3)H]GA1 very quickly, whereas proembryo cultures of anise (+2,4-D) metabolized [(3)H]GA1 slowly. The major metabolites of [(3)H]GA1 in anise were tentatively identified as GA8-glucoside (24%), GA8 (15%), GA1-glucoside (8%) and the Δ(1(10))GA1-counterpart (2%). Thus, high levels of a GA1-like substance and a reduced ability to metabolize GA1 are correlated with the absence of embryo development, while lowered levels of GA1-like substance and a rapid metabolism of GA1 into GA8 and GA-conjugates are correlated with continued embryo development. Exogenous application of GA3 is known to reduce somatic embryogenesis in carrot cultures; GA4 was found to have the same effect in anise cultures. Thus, a role (albeit negative) in somatic embryogenesis for a polar, biologically active GA is implied.

Biological activity of gibberellin analogues

In order to determine the significance of the C-6 carboxyl group for the biological activity gibberellin A3, 6-epigibberellin A3, 7-norgibberellin A3, 6β-methyl-7-norgibberellin A3, and 7-homogibberellin A3 were studied using dwarf pea, dwarf maize, dwarf rice, dwarf barley and α-amylase bioassays. All gibberellin A3(GA3)derivatives tested were considerably less active than GA3. In all biossays, 6-epi-GA3 showed a low activity of the same order, whereas 6β-methyl-7-nor-GA3 was inactive. Surprisingly, 7-nor-GA3 had some activity in the dwarf rice (root application), dwarf barley, and α-amylase bioassay, in contrary to its low potency in the dwarf pea, dwarf maize, and dwarf rice (micro drop) bioassay. 7-Homo-GA3 was primarily active in the dwarf maize, dwarf barley and dwarf rice bioassay. It also caused antigibberellin effects in dwarf rice. The results demonstrate that the C-6 carboxyl group is not absolutely essential for biological activity of gibberellins. The different activities of 7-nor-GA3 observed in the various test systems may indicate that the C-6 carboxyl group is a structural requirement more for uptake and/or transport processes than for receptor affinity.