Prostaglandins and related substances in plants

• Published in: The Botanical review 1997-07, Vol.63 (3), p.199-220
• Main Authors: Groenewald, E.G. (University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.), Van der Westhuizen, A.J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ACIDE GRAS INSATURE; ACIDOS GRASOS INSATURADOS; Acids; ACTIVIDAD ENZIMATICA; ACTIVITE ENZYMATIQUE; Algae; Analysis; Angiosperms; Aquatic plants; Arachidonic acid; Bioassays; BIOSINTESIS; BIOSYNTHESE; BIOSYNTHESIS; Cell membranes; Chemical analysis; CHEMICAL COMPOSITION; Chloroplasts; COMPOSICION QUIMICA; COMPOSITION CHIMIQUE; Crown gall; Eicosapentaenoic acid; Endosperm; Enzymes; ENZYMIC ACTIVITY; Fatty acids; FISIOLOGIA VEGETAL; Flax; Flowering; g-linolenic acid; Garlic; Growth (Plants); Linolenic acid; Lipids; LITERATURE REVIEWS; Marine microorganisms; Membrane permeability; Microorganisms; Nucleic acids; Photosynthesis; Physiological effects; PHYSIOLOGIE VEGETALE; Physiology; Phytochemistry; Plant biochemistry; Plant growth; PLANT PHYSIOLOGY; Plants; Plants (botany); Poplar; PRECURSORS; Prostaglandin synthesis; PROSTAGLANDINAS; PROSTAGLANDINE; PROSTAGLANDINS; Protein biosynthesis; Protein synthesis; Protein turnover; Saline water; Synthesis; UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS; Wheat germ; Yeasts
• ISSN: 0006-8101; 1874-9372
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02857948

Prostaglandins (PGs) have been detected in many different plants and certain microorganisms. A few prostaglandin-like compounds have also been shown to occur in plants such as flax, Chromolaena morii, and aquatic sedge; and direct precursors (arachidonic acid, di-homo-γ-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid) have been detected in a variety of plants and microorganisms, including certain red algae, brown algae, green algae, and saltwater diatoms. Furthermore, arachidonic acid has been found in mosses and a liverwort. It has also been reported that arachidonic acid occurs in certain angiosperms, namely, poplar (Populus balsamifera), wheat germ oil, Aloe vera, and Allium sativum (garlic). In our studies on the possible physiological effects of prostaglandins we found that a PG possibly has an effect on the flowering of the short-day plant Pharbitis nil. It has hastened flower formation by 28 days as compared with controls under inductive conditions (short days), and certain inhibitors of PG-biosynthesis inhibited flowering to a greater or lesser extent. In other physiological studies of prostaglandins, it was found that they have an effect on such aspects as${\rm GA}_{3}\text{-controlled}$responses in barley endosperm, inhibition of crown gall tumor formation on potato discs, and certain electron-flow reactions in isolated chloroplasts. In corn leaf segments it has an effect on photosynthesis, nucleic acid metabolism, and protein synthesis. The effect on four plant bioassay systems was negligible. It has also been reported that PGs play a role in the regulation of cell membrane permeability. /// Prostaglandine (PGs) wurden in vielen verschiedenen Pflanzen und in gewissen Mikroorganismen entdeckt. Auch ein paar prostaglandinenverwandte Verbindungen wurden im Flachsextrakt und in aquatischer Binse nachgewiesen; direkte Vorläufer (Arachidonsäure, dihomo-γ-Linolensäure und Eicosapentaensäure) wurden in einer Vielzahl von Pflanzen und Mikroorganismen entdeckt, auch in gewissen Rot-, Braun- und Grünalgen und Salzwasserdiatomeen. Darüberhinaus wurde Arachidonsäure in Moosen und in einem Lebermoos nachgewiessen. Aufgrund von Berichten kommt Arachidonsäure in gewissen Angiospermen, nämlich der Pappel (Populus balsamifera), im Weizenkeim - Oel, Aloe vera und Allium sativum (Knoblauch) vor. In unseren Studien über mögliche physiologische Effekte von Prostaglandinen fanden wir, dass ein Prostaglandin möglicherweise das Blühen der Kurztagpflanze Pharbitis nil bewirkt.