Synthesis of Brassinosteroids. Roles of Synthetic Organic Chemistry in Clarification of Brassinolide Biosynthesis and Analysis of Brassinosteroid Mutants.

Overview of the recent progress in the research of brassinosteroids, a new class of phytohormones, is described. This article covers 1) the chemical synthesis of natural C28 brassinosteroids and their deuterio-labeled compounds and precursor sterols, 2) related brassinosteroid analogs and their biological activity, 3) the role of synthetic organic chemistry in the clarification of brassinolide biosynthesis, and 4) its role in the analysis of brassinosteroid dwarf mutants.