The role of deoxycorticosterone in the biosynthesis of cardenolides in Digitalis lanata

Abstract

The role of deoxycorticosterone in the biosynthesis of digitoxigenin was investigated by the simultaneous administration of deoxy[1,2-(3)H(2)]corticosterone and [4-(14)C]progesterone to a Digitalis lanata plant. The biosynthetically formed [(3)H,(14)C]digitoxigenin and deoxy[(3)H,(14)C]corticosterone were isolated and the distribution of the two isotopes in these products was determined. The transformation of progesterone into deoxycorticosterone in vivo was established. The biosynthetic route from progesterone via deoxycorticosterone to cardenolides was found to be of little significance.

Functions of sterols in plants

“…2) (3). The formation of desoxycorticosterone from progesterone has been observed in Digitalis lanata (12), and administered cortisol was converted to cortisone by Mallotus panieulatus (13). Two representatives of the cardiac genins formed from progesterone are shown in Figure 2: the C23 genin, digitoxigenin, and the C24 genin, hellebrigenin.…”

“…Two representatives of the cardiac genins formed from progesterone are shown in Figure 2: the C23 genin, digitoxigenin, and the C24 genin, hellebrigenin. The major biosynthetic pathway is said not to go through desoxycorticosterone (12). The C28 and C29 sterols, which are much more abundant in plants than the C27 sterols, are synthesized from an unsaturated precursor of cholesterol.…”