Reversible Conversion between Teasterone and Its Ester Conjugates in Lily Cell Cultures

Abstract

Metabolisms of both teasterone and its 3-myristate were studied using lily cell cultures. Teasterone was metabolized to two ester conjugates, teasterone-3-myristate and teasterone-3-laurate, which have been identified from the lily pollen. On the other hand, teasterone-3-myristate was metabolized to teasterone. The same reversible conversion was suggested during the course of brassinolide biosynthesis in the lily pollen. It was considered that the conjugates are the reversible storage forms during the biosynthesis of brassinolide.