The biosynthesis of sterols in higher plants.
1. [2-(14)C]Mevalonate was incorporated into squalene and the major phytosterols of pea and maize leaves; it was also incorporated into compounds belonging to the 4,4-dimethyl and 4alpha-methyl steroid groups and which may be possible phytosterol intermediates. 2. l-[Me-(14)C]Methionine was incorporated into the major sterols and also into the 4,4-dimethyl and 4alpha-methyl steroid groups. No radioactivity was detected in squalene. 3. Under anaerobic conditions incorporation of [2-(14)C]-mevalonate into the non-saponifiable lipid of pea leaves was drastically decreased but radioactive squalene was accumulated. 4. Cycloartenol, 24-methylenecycloartanol, 24-methylenelophenol, 24-ethylidenelophenol, fucosterol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol have been identified by gas-liquid chromatography in pea leaves. 5. The significance of these results in connexion with phytosterol biosynthesis and the introduction of the alkyl group at C-24 into phytosterols is discussed.
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002845:Chromatography; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D008715:Methionine / Q000378:metabolism; D008798:Mevalonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D013261:Sterols / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D013261:Sterols; D008715:Methionine; D008798:Mevalonic Acid