The Hulks and the Deadpools of the Cytokinin Universe: A Dual Strategy for Cytokinin Production, Translocation, and Signal Transduction
Cytokinins are plant hormones, derivatives of adenine with a side chain at the <i>N<sup>6</sup></i>-position. They are involved in many physiological processes. While the metabolism of <i>trans</i>-zeatin and isopentenyladenine, which are considered to be highly a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Biomolecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/2/209 |
| _version_ | 1797416026442301440 |
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| author | Tomáš Hluska Lucia Hlusková R. J. Neil Emery |
| author_facet | Tomáš Hluska Lucia Hlusková R. J. Neil Emery |
| author_sort | Tomáš Hluska |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cytokinins are plant hormones, derivatives of adenine with a side chain at the <i>N<sup>6</sup></i>-position. They are involved in many physiological processes. While the metabolism of <i>trans</i>-zeatin and isopentenyladenine, which are considered to be highly active cytokinins, has been extensively studied, there are others with less obvious functions, such as <i>cis</i>-zeatin, dihydrozeatin, and aromatic cytokinins, which have been comparatively neglected. To help explain this duality, we present a novel hypothesis metaphorically comparing various cytokinin forms, enzymes of CK metabolism, and their signalling and transporter functions to the comics superheroes Hulk and Deadpool. Hulk is a powerful but short-lived creation, whilst Deadpool presents a more subtle and enduring force. With this dual framework in mind, this review compares different cytokinin metabolites, and their biosynthesis, translocation, and sensing to illustrate the different mechanisms behind the two CK strategies. This is put together and applied to a plant developmental scale and, beyond plants, to interactions with organisms of other kingdoms, to highlight where future study can benefit the understanding of plant fitness and productivity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:57:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-09a9fa35a54b46f5beef0b691b892abf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:57:54Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-09a9fa35a54b46f5beef0b691b892abf2023-12-03T12:11:30ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2021-02-0111220910.3390/biom11020209The Hulks and the Deadpools of the Cytokinin Universe: A Dual Strategy for Cytokinin Production, Translocation, and Signal TransductionTomáš Hluska0Lucia Hlusková1R. J. Neil Emery2Laboratory of Hormonal Regulations in Plants, Institute of Experimental Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 263, CZ-16502 Prague 6, Czech RepublicLaboratory of Hormonal Regulations in Plants, Institute of Experimental Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 263, CZ-16502 Prague 6, Czech RepublicBiology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, CanadaCytokinins are plant hormones, derivatives of adenine with a side chain at the <i>N<sup>6</sup></i>-position. They are involved in many physiological processes. While the metabolism of <i>trans</i>-zeatin and isopentenyladenine, which are considered to be highly active cytokinins, has been extensively studied, there are others with less obvious functions, such as <i>cis</i>-zeatin, dihydrozeatin, and aromatic cytokinins, which have been comparatively neglected. To help explain this duality, we present a novel hypothesis metaphorically comparing various cytokinin forms, enzymes of CK metabolism, and their signalling and transporter functions to the comics superheroes Hulk and Deadpool. Hulk is a powerful but short-lived creation, whilst Deadpool presents a more subtle and enduring force. With this dual framework in mind, this review compares different cytokinin metabolites, and their biosynthesis, translocation, and sensing to illustrate the different mechanisms behind the two CK strategies. This is put together and applied to a plant developmental scale and, beyond plants, to interactions with organisms of other kingdoms, to highlight where future study can benefit the understanding of plant fitness and productivity.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/2/209<i>cis</i>-zeatincytokininscytokinin biosynthesisisopentenyl transferasecytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenasecytokinin signalling |
| spellingShingle | Tomáš Hluska Lucia Hlusková R. J. Neil Emery The Hulks and the Deadpools of the Cytokinin Universe: A Dual Strategy for Cytokinin Production, Translocation, and Signal Transduction Biomolecules <i>cis</i>-zeatin cytokinins cytokinin biosynthesis isopentenyl transferase cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase cytokinin signalling |
| title | The Hulks and the Deadpools of the Cytokinin Universe: A Dual Strategy for Cytokinin Production, Translocation, and Signal Transduction |
| title_full | The Hulks and the Deadpools of the Cytokinin Universe: A Dual Strategy for Cytokinin Production, Translocation, and Signal Transduction |
| title_fullStr | The Hulks and the Deadpools of the Cytokinin Universe: A Dual Strategy for Cytokinin Production, Translocation, and Signal Transduction |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Hulks and the Deadpools of the Cytokinin Universe: A Dual Strategy for Cytokinin Production, Translocation, and Signal Transduction |
| title_short | The Hulks and the Deadpools of the Cytokinin Universe: A Dual Strategy for Cytokinin Production, Translocation, and Signal Transduction |
| title_sort | hulks and the deadpools of the cytokinin universe a dual strategy for cytokinin production translocation and signal transduction |
| topic | <i>cis</i>-zeatin cytokinins cytokinin biosynthesis isopentenyl transferase cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase cytokinin signalling |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/2/209 |
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