Separation of Light-Induced [14C]ent-Kaurene Metabolism and Light-Induced Germination in Grand Rapids Lettuce Seeds

The effect of light on the metabolism of [(14)C]kaurene in light-requiring lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa L. cv Grand Rapids) was investigated. Seeds were soaked in a solution of [(14)C]ent-kaurene in methylene chloride with 0.01% Tween-20, dried, and incubated in 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG) to prevent seedling development. Labeled metabolites were extracted and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-radio counting. [(14)C]ent-Kaurenol and [(14)C]ent-kaurenal were identified in seeds incubated in constant white light, while no ethyl acetate-soluble metabolites were found in seeds incubated in the dark. In time course experiments using acid scarified seeds, metabolism began after 18 hours of incubation and greatly increased after 24 hours of incubation in 20% PEG. By 48 hours, several unidentified, more polar metabolites were found. Germination was induced in seeds imbibed in 20% PEG by 4 hours of red or 4 hours of white light following 20 hours in the dark, and was fully reversed by 2 hours of far red light. However, in metabolism experiments, [(14)C]ent-kaurene oxidation was observed only with constant white light. These results indicate that although ent-kaurene oxidation is a light sensitive step in the biosynthesis of gibberellins in Grand Rapids lettuce seeds, ent-kaurene metabolism is not required for light-induced germination.