4′-Alkoxy derivatives of abscisic acid:: a promising new probe for mechanisms of abscisic acid perceptions

The preparation of new compounds for exploring the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of abscisic acid signal perception is described. The 4'-carbonyl group of abscisic acid was replaced with either benzyloxy or n-octyloxy groups. Both modified products possessed ABA-like activity in bioassays using barley aleurone protoplasts. The benzyloxy derivative was active in dehydrin induction tests, but not in inhibition of alpha-amylase induction tests. The difference in the activity of this chemical in the two assay systems suggests that the perception system for the inhibition of amylase induction systems differs from that of dehydrin induction.