ARS | Publication request: BIOSYNTHESIS AND REGULATION OF (+)-GOSSYPOL IN COTTONSEED AND UTILIZATION OF THE SEED

Submitted to: Pacific Basin Society Chemical International Congress Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 20, 2006
Publication Date: May 20, 2006
Citation: Stipanovic, R.D., Liu, J., Puckhaber, L.S., Lopez, J., Dowd, M.K., Bell, A.A., Duke, S.E. 2006. Biosynthesis and regulation of (+)-gossypol in cottonseed and utilization of the seed [abstract]. Pacific Basin Society Chemical International Congress. Paper No. 402.

Technical Abstract: Glanded cottonseed contains a toxic compound called gossypol. Gossypol and related compounds are important components in the plant’s resistance to diseases and insects. Gossypol occurs in two enantiomeric forms that are designated as (+)- or (-)-gossypol. Gossypol is biosynthesized by the free radical coupling of two molecules of hemigossypol to yield the two enantiomers. The biological activity of these enantiomers differs significantly. Notably, the (+)-enantiomer appears to have little if any detrimental effect on chickens when it is incorporated into their feed, while ( )-gossypol significantly reduces weight gain. Thus, it might be possible to utilize cottonseed that contains almost exclusively the (+)-enantiomer in feed for non-ruminant animals. The ratio of (+)- to (-)-gossypol in commercial and wild cotton varies widely (i.e., from 97:3 to 31:69). We have been interested in the biosynthesis and biologically activity of gossypol and its enantiomers. Of particular interest are the ratio of the enantiomers in various tissue, the toxicity to pathogens and insects, and the biochemical process governing the stereospecific coupling of hemigossypol to form (+)-gossypol. Our current understanding of these activities and processes will be presented.