BIOSYNTHESIS OF 2-HYDROXY-3-BUTENYLGLUCOSINOLATE AND 3-BUTENYLGLUCOSINOLATE IN BRASSICA-NAPUS

Desulpho-3-butenylglucosinolate is considered to be a potential late stage precursor in the biosynthesis of (R)-2-hydroxy-3-butenylglucosinolate (progoitrin) and 3-butenylglucosinolate (gluconapin) in Brassica. Chemically synthesized [4,5-3H](β-d-glucopyranosyl)- 4-pentenethiohydroxamic acid when administered to developing seedlings of Brassica napus cv Bienvenu was found to be well incorporated into both 2-hydroxy-3-butenylglucosinolate and 3-butenylglucosinolate, while feeding experiments with [14C]methionine have shown that de novo biosynthesis is slow. Analysis of seeds and developing seedlings has shown that levels of 2-hydroxy-3-butenylglucosinolate are maintained while 3-butenylglucosinolate levels are considerably reduced. © 1990.