Phytohormone profiles in non-transformed and AtCKX transgenic centaury (Centaurium erythraea Rafn) shoots and roots in response to salinity stress in vitro

Plant hormones regulate numerous developmental and physiological processes. Abiotic stresses considerably affect production and distribution of phytohormones as the stress signal triggers. The homeostasis of plant hormones is controlled by their de novo synthesis and catabolism. The aim of this work was to analyse the contents of total and individual groups of endogenous cytokinins (CKs) as well as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in AtCKX overexpressing centaury plants grown in vitro on graded NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mM). The levels of endogenous stress hormones including abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) were also detected. The elevated contents of total CKs were found in all analysed centaury shoots. Furthermore, increased amounts of all five CK groups, as well as enhanced total CKs were revealed on graded NaCl concentrations in non-transformed and AtCKX roots. All analysed AtCKX centaury lines exhibited decreased amounts of endogenous IAA in shoots and roots. Consequently, the IAA/bioactive CK forms ratios showed a significant variation in the shoots and roots of all AtCKX lines. In shoots and roots of both non-transformed and AtCKX transgenic centaury plants, salinity was associated with an increase of ABA and JA and a decrease of SA content.

Interpreting Cytokinin Action as Anterograde Signaling and Beyond

Among the major phytohormones, the cytokinin exhibits unique features for its ability to positively affect the developmental status of plastids. Even early on in its research, cytokinins were known to promote plastid differentiation and to reduce the loss of chlorophyll in detached leaves. Since the discovery of the components of cytokinin perception and primary signaling, the genes involved in photosynthesis and plastid differentiation have been identified as those directly targeted by type-B response regulators. Furthermore, cytokinins are known to modulate versatile cellular processes such as promoting the division and differentiation of cells and, in concert with auxin, initiating the de novo formation of shoot apical meristem (SAM) in tissue cultures. Yet how cytokinins precisely participate in such diverse cellular phenomena, and how the associated cellular processes are coordinated as a whole, remains unclear. A plausible presumption that would account for the coordinated gene expression is the tight and reciprocal communication between the nucleus and plastid. The fact that cytokinins affect plastid developmental status via gene expression in both the nucleus and plastid is interpreted here to suggest that cytokinin functions as an initiator of anterograde (nucleus-to-plastid) signaling. Based on this viewpoint, we first summarize the physiological relevance of cytokinins to the coordination of plastid differentiation with de novo shoot organogenesis in tissue culture systems. Next, the role of endogenous cytokinins in influencing plastid differentiation within the SAM of intact plants is discussed. Finally, a presumed plastid-derived signal in response to cytokinins for coupled nuclear gene expression is proposed.

Limitation of Cytokinin Export to the Shoots by Nucleoside Transporter ENT3 and Its Linkage with Root Elongation in Arabidopsis

The trans-membrane carrier AtENT3 is known to transport externally supplied cytokinin ribosides and thus promote uptake by cells. However, its role in distributing either exogenous or endogenous cytokinins within the intact plant has not hitherto been reported. To test this, we used ent3-1 mutant Arabidopsis seedlings in which the gene is not expressed due to a T-DNA insertion, and examined the effect on the concentration and distribution of either endogenous cytokinins or exogenous trans-zeatin riboside applied to the roots. In the mutant, accumulation of endogenous cytokinins in the roots was reduced and capacity to deliver externally supplied trans-zeatin riboside to the shoots was increased suggesting involvement of equilibrative nucleoside (ENT) transporter in the control of cytokinin distribution in the plants. Roots of ent3-1 were longer in the mutant in association with their lower cytokinin concentration. We concluded that the ENT3 transporter participates in partitioning endogenous cytokinins between the apoplast and the symplast by facilitating their uptake by root cells thereby limiting cytokinin export to the shoots through the xylem. Dilution of the mineral nutrient solution lowered endogenous cytokinin concentration in the roots of both wild type (WT) and ent3-1 plants accompanied by promotion of root elongation. Nevertheless, cytokinin content was lower, while roots were longer in the ent3-1 mutant than in the WT under either normal or deficient mineral nutrition suggesting a significant role of ENT3 transporter in the control of cytokinin level in the roots and the rate of their elongation.

Comparative analysis of the effect of epibrassinolide and 6-benzylaminopurine on the key components of the glutathione complex in the roots of wheat seedling under salinity.

The study carried out a comparative analysis of the effect of 24 epibrassinolide (EB) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) on the growth and state of the main components of the glutathione system in the roots of wheat seedlings under the action of 2% NaCl, which for the first time revealed the ability of these phytohormones to similarly stabilize stress-induced decrease GSH / GSSG ratio, positively regulate the activity of glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase. A comparable level of protective effect of BAP and EB on root length was revealed. The data obtained indicate that endogenous cytokinins may play the role of hormonal intermediates in the implementation of the protective.

Phytohormone and Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Endogenous Cytokinins Affect Kiwifruit Growth under Restricted Carbon Supply

Following cell division, fruit growth is characterized by both expansion through increases in cell volume and biomass accumulation in cells. Fruit growth is limited by carbon starvation; however, the mechanism controlling fruit growth under restricted carbohydrate supply is poorly understood. In a previous study using red-fleshed kiwifruit, we showed that long-term carbon starvation had detrimental effects on carbohydrate, anthocyanin metabolism, and fruit growth. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the reduction in fruit growth during kiwifruit development, we integrated phytohormone profiling with transcriptomic and developmental datasets for fruit under high or low carbohydrate supplies. Phytohormone profiling of the outer pericarp tissue of kiwifruit showed a 6-fold reduction in total cytokinin concentrations in carbon-starved fruit, whilst other hormones were less affected. Principal component analysis visualised that cytokinin composition was distinct between fruit at 16 weeks after mid bloom, based on their carbohydrate supply status. Cytokinin biosynthetic genes (IPT, CYP735A) were significantly downregulated under carbon starvation, in agreement with the metabolite data. Several genes that code for expansins, proteins involved in cell wall loosening, were also downregulated under carbon starvation. In contrast to other fleshy fruits, our results suggest that cytokinins not only promote cell division, but also drive fruit cell expansion and growth in kiwifruit.

PARTICIPATION OF ENT3 TRANSPORTER IN CYTOKININ DISTRIBUTION BETWEEN THE ROOT AND THE SHOOT AND IN REGULATION OF GROWTH RESPONSE OF ARABIDOPSIS PLANTS TO INCREASED LEVEL OF MINERAL NUTRITION

The nitrogenous base riboside transporter ENT3 is known for its ability to transport ribosylated cytokinins across the membrane. However, its role in the distribution of cytokinins between plant organs has not yet been studied. For this purpose, we compared the content and distribution of either endogenous cytokinins or the exogenous trans-zeatin riboside introduced into the nutrient solution in mutant ent3-1 plants and the parent genotype Columbia. In the mutant, the accumulation of endogenous cytokinins in the roots was suppressed, and the ability to deliver exogenous trans-zeatin riboside to shoots increased. The roots of ent3-1 were about 15% longer and had a lower cytokinin concentration. A thirtyfold increase in the concentration of macronutrients led to inhibition of root elongation in the original Columbia line, but not in ent3-1 plants. This growth response occured in accordance with the content of cytokinins in the roots: in Columbia plants, cytokinins accumulated in these organs. The increase in the level of hormones in the roots of ent3-1 was to a lesser extent and was not significant. It was concluded that the ENT3 transporter is involved in the distribution of endogenous cytokinins between the apoplast and symplast, facilitating their uptake by root cells, thereby limiting the export of cytokinins to shoots through the xylem, and can play an important adaptive role in changing the level of mineral nutrition.

Alq mutation increases fruit set rate and allows the maintenance of fruit yield under moderate saline conditions

The enhanced expression of the ALQ-TAGL1 gene in the Alq mutant increases the concentration of endogenous cytokinins, fruit set, and salt tolerance in tomato.