2,3-Epoxybrassinosteroids are intermediates in the biosynthesis of castasterone in seedlings of Secale cereale

The involvement of the 2,3-epoxybrassinosteroids secasterone and 2,3-diepisecasterone in the biosynthesis of castasterone has been demonstrated in seedlings of Secale cereale by LC-ESI-MS. Deuterated secasterone, upon administration to rye seedlings, was incorporated into castasterone and its 2beta- and 3beta-epimers. Administration of deuterated 2,3-diepisecasterone resulted in castasterone and 2-epicastasterone. A biosynthetic subpathway from typhasterol/teasterone via 2,3-epoxybrassinosteroid intermediates to castasterone is discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.