Ancymidol is a biologically active pyrimidine-class plant growth regulator. Ancymidol can block the abnormal elongation of plant cells by inhibiting the oxidation of gibberellin biosynthetic intermediates, while also suppressing plant growth by interfering with cellulose biosynthesis. Ancymidol can be used in related research in plant pathology and mycology[1-4].
In vitro, maize suspension-cultured cells were treated with Ancymidol (12.5μM–2mM) for 8 days. Ancymidol significantly inhibited cell growth and induced a globular cell shape, while reducing cellulose deposition in the cell wall and promoting xylan synthesis as a compensatory response[5]. Phaseolus vulgaris seedlings and Gibberella fujikuroi cultures were treated with Ancymidol (10–100μg/ml). Ancymidol significantly inhibited the endogenous gibberellin biosynthesis and the gibberellin-like activity in the extracts; Phaseolus vulgaris seedlings cultured in the dark were treated with Ancymidol (10μg/ml) for 0 to 4 days. Ancymidol significantly induced or enhanced the production of compounds that inhibited the leaf sheath elongation of Oryza sativa[6].
References:
[1] Coolbaugh RC, Hirano SS, West CA. Studies on the Specificity and Site of Action of alpha-Cyclopropyl-alpha-[p-methoxyphenyl]-5-pyrimidine Methyl Alcohol (Ancymidol), a Plant Growth Regulator. Plant Physiol. 1978 Oct;62(4):571-6.
[2] Chen J, Ziv M. The effect of ancymidol on hyperhydricity, regeneration, starch and antioxidant enzymatic activities in liquid-cultured Narcissus. Plant Cell Rep. 2001 Jan;20(1):22-27.
[3] Feng XR, Wolyn DJ. Development of haploid asparagus embryos from liquid cultures of anther-derived calli is enhanced by ancymidol. Plant Cell Rep. 1993 Mar;12(5):281-5.
[4] Li B, Wolyn DJ. The effects of ancymidol, abscisic acid, uniconazole and paclobutrazol on somatic embryogenesis of asparagus. Plant Cell Rep. 1995 May;14(8):529-33.
[5] Hernández-Altamirano JM, Largo-Gosens A, Martínez-Rubio R, et al. Effect of ancymidol on cell wall metabolism in growing maize cells. Planta. 2018 Apr;247(4):987-999.
[6] Shive JB, Sisler HD. Effects of Ancymidol (a Growth Retardant) and Triarimol (a Fungicide) on the Growth, Sterols, and Gibberellins of Phaseolus vulgaris (L.). Plant Physiol. 1976 Apr;57(4):640-4.