AN ANTHERIDIOGEN, 13-HYDROXY-GA(73) METHYL-ESTER (GA(109)), FROM THE FERN LYGODIUM-CIRCINNATUM

The structure of a new gibberellin-like antheridiogen from gametophyte s of the fern Lygodium circinnatum has been confirmed as the methyl es ter of 9,11-didehydro-GA(20) by synthesis of an authentic sample from gibberellic acid (GA(3)). Comparative bioassays of the synthetic compo und as an antheridium inducing substance in Lygodium japonicum have de monstrated that it is highly potent, showing activity down to 10(-14) M concentrations, and that the high level of activity is correlated wi th the incorporation of the 9,11-alkene bond. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.