The Biosynthesis of Rubber

Abstract

Abstract The goal seems now well defined, but the means necessary for its attainment have yet to be chosen. Undoubtedly, isotopic methods will be the appropriate approach to gather the required information. They will be used less for investigation of individual transformations than for establishing the balance of transformation of the precursors. Finally, it is very fortunate that latex can be broadly compared to a homogenate of laticiferous cells. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that, used with precaution, the latex must reflect the ability of the tree to form rubber and that the study of the points that are mentioned will be possible by using this medium. No matter how successfully the mechanisms limiting or controlling the rubber production will be located, it will remain a problem to modify them in the desired way, because the tree (hevea brasiliensis) forms a system in equilibrium. In this system, all reactions are interdependent and a reaction requiring manganese or calcium will interfere with those which are poisoned by these metals. … In short, it is impossible to modify entirely the plant life. Consequently, the action of the researcher will always be limited because drastic modifications of the state of equilibrium would cause undesirable effects. But just as medicine can modify certain metabolisms of a patient if it proceeds without brutality, it may be possible to act in a limited way upon the basic metabolisms of hevea. This does not mean that the productivity of the tree will not be changed considerably, but in any case the methods employed will have to be very mild. Before reaching this goal, many important problems will have to be solved. As in medicine, identification of the basic metabolism will not suggest the therapeutic method for their acceleration. Without this background information, no treatment can be conceived, but no miracle drug results from diagnosis alone. The dual aspect of any studies in this field is striking: the immense possibilities anticipated are tempered by the problems involved in plant life. In view of the scientific progress of the last five years, such a restrictive statement seems to be out of order. The evolution of our knowledge is so fast, that such preconceived ideas may rapidly become obsolete and so obscure our view for new progress. We believe it necessary to conclude this review with such a warning, making the reader aware of the hopes as well as the limitations of the studies on the biosynthesis of cis-polyisoprene.