Inhibition of chlorophyll synthesis in Hordeum vulgare by 3-amino 2,3-dihydrobenzoic acid (gabaculin)

Abstract

Gabaculin (3-amino 2,3-dihydrobenzoic acid) is shown to be a very potent inhibitor of chlorophyll formation in Hordeum vulgate. Exposure of leaf segments to 30/μM gabaculin results in an 80% inhibition of chlorophyll synthesis, and this is paralleled by a decrease in carotenoid. Dual-inhibitor studies with dioxoheptanoic acid, which is an inhibitor of δ-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase, show that gabaculin inhibits an earlier step than dioxoheptanoic acid and affects δ-aminolaevulinic acid synthesis rather than its subsequent metabolism.