IDENTIFICATION OF GIBBERELLINS AND 9,15-CYCLOGIBBERELLINS IN DEVELOPING APPLE SEEDS

Endogenous gibberellins (GAs) and GA-related compounds at two differen t developmental stages of apple seeds (Malus domestica cv. McIntosh) w ere analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. From the seeds a t ca. 10 and/or 14 weeks after full-bloom, the following GAs and 9,15- cyclogibberellins (9,15-cyclo-GAs) were identified by a comparison of their mass spectra and Kovats retention indices with those of authenti c specimens: GA(4), GA(7), GA(9), GA(12), GA(17), GA(19), GA(20), GA(2 5), GA(34), GA(35), GA(45), GA(53), GA(54), GA(61), GA(62), GA(63), GA (70), GA(73), GA(80), GA(84), GA(88), 3-epi-GA(4), 3-epi-GA(54), and 3 -epi-GA(63), 9,15-cyclo-GA(9), 1 beta-hydroxy-9,15-cyclo-GA(9), 2 beta -hydroxy-9,15-cyclo-GA(9), 3 alpha-hydroxy-9,15-cyclo-GA(9), 3 beta-hy droxy-9,15-cyclo-GA(9), and 11 beta-hydroxy-9,15-cyclo-GA(9), The majo r components in the seeds at ca. 10 weeks after full-bloom were GA(4), GA(7), GA(9), GA(17), GA(35), GA(54), GA(62), GA(80), and GA(84), and those in the seeds at ca. 14 weeks after full-bloom were GA(17), GA(2 5), GA(45), GA(62), GA(63), GA(80), GA(84), 9,15-cyclo-GA(9), and 1 be ta, 3 beta-, and 11 beta-hydroxy-9,15-cyclo-GA(9). New GA number (GA(1 03-108)) have been allocated to 9,15-cyclo-GA(9), and 1 beta-, 2 beta- , 3 beta-, 3 alpha-, and 11 beta-hydroxy-9,15-cyclo-GA(9), respectivel y (1 beta- and 3 alpha-hydroxy-9,15-cyclo-GA(9) were identified previo usly as fern anteridiogens, although GA numbers have not previously be en assigned to these compounds). This is the first report of the co-oc currence of GA(73) and 9,15-cyclo-GAs in higher plants.