SYNTHESIS OF BRASSINOLIDE, A PLANT GROWTH STEROID

BRASSINOLIDE IS A STERIID FOUND IN MANY PLANTS. BRASSINOSTEROIDS STIMULATE THE GROWTH OF A WIDE VARIETY OF PLANTS INCLUDING RICE, WHEAT, BEANS, POTATOES, RADISHES, ANDLETTUCE. MOREOVER, GROWTH PROMOTING EFFECTS OF BRASSINOLIDE WITH AUXINS ARE OBSERVED, AND BRASSINOLIDE ACTSADDITIVELY WITH GIBBERELLINS. WITH ALL OF THE POTENTIAL THAT BRASSINOSTEROIDS HAVE FOR AGRICULTURE, THEIR USE TO IMPROVE CROP PRODUCTION HAS BEEN HINDERED BY LACK OF READILYAVAILABLE BRASSINOLIDE AND BRASSINOLIDE ANALOGS. THIS LACK AND THE LACK OF RADIOACTIVE BRASSINOLIDE HAS ALSO HINDERED RESEARCH TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING THE BIOCHEMICAL MECHANISMS OF ACTION OF BRASSINOLIDE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW USES FOR BRASSINOLIDE. AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLOIT THE POTENTIAL OF BRASSINOLIDE IS PROVIDED BY AN IMPROVED PROCEDURE FOR SYNTHESIZING BRASSINOLIDE IN HIGH YIELD DEVELOPED BY DR. TREVOR MCMORRIS. IN THIS PROPOSAL THE RESEARCHERS PROPOSE TO: (1) FURTHER IMPROVE THIS SYNTHETIC PROCEDURE; (2) USE ITTO SYNTHESIZE GRAM QUANTITIES OF BRASSINOLIDE; AND (3) DEMONSTRATE THE SYNTHESIS OF RADIOACTIVE BRASSINOLIDE.