Abstract
Eleven endogenous gibberellins (GAs) were identified by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in purified extracts from shoots of field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.): GA(1,9,12,15,19,20,24,29,44,51,53). Traces of GA(8) and GA(25) were tentatively indicated by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-selected ion monitoring. Comparison of the total ion current traces indicated that GA(19) and GA(44) were most abundant, while GA(12,15,20,24,29,53) occurred in lesser amounts. Only small amounts of GA(1,9,51) were present. The levels of GA(8) and GA(25) were barely detectable. Consideration of hydroxylation patterns of the ent-gibberellane ring structure indicates two families of GAs: one with a C-13 hydroxyl group (GA(1,8,19,20,29,44,53)) and another whose members are either nonhydroxylated (GA(9,12,15,24,25)) or lack a C-13 hydroxyl group (GA(51)). This suggests that in field pennycress there are two parallel pathways for GA metabolism with an early branch point from GA(12): an early C-13 hydroxylation pathway, leading ultimately to GA(1) and GA(8) and a C-13 deoxy pathway culminating in the formation of GA(9) and GA(51).