SUMMARY The phytohormone cytokinin plays a significant role in nearly all aspects of plant growth and development. Cytokinin signaling has primarily been studied in the dicot model Arabidopsis, with relatively little work done in monocots, which include rice (Oryza sativa) and other cereals of agronomic importance. The cytokinin signaling pathway is a phosphorelay comprised of the histidine kinase receptors, the authentic histidine phosphotransfer proteins (AHPs) and type‐B response regulators (RRs). Two negative regulators of cytokinin signaling have been identified: the type‐A RRs, which are cytokinin primary response genes, and the pseudo histidine phosphotransfer proteins (PHPs), which lack the His residue required for phosphorelay. Here, we describe the role of the ricePHPgenes. Phylogenic analysis indicates that the PHPs are generally first found in the genomes of gymnosperms and that they arose independently in monocots and dicots. Consistent with this, the three ricePHPsfail to complement an Arabidopsisphpmutant (aphp1/ahp6). Disruption of the three ricePHPsresults in a molecular phenotype consistent with these elements acting as negative regulators of cytokinin signaling, including the induction of a number of type‐A RR and cytokinin oxidase genes. The triplephpmutant affects multiple aspects of rice growth and development, including shoot morphology, panicle architecture, and seed fill. In contrast to Arabidopsis, disruption of the ricePHPsdoes not affect root vascular patterning, suggesting that while many aspects of key signaling networks are conserved between monocots and dicots, the roles of at least some cytokinin signaling elements are distinct.
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Cytokinin: From autoclaved DNA to two-component signaling
Abstract Since its first identification in the 1950s as a regulator of cell division, cytokinin has been linked to many physiological processes in plants, spanning growth and development and various responses to the environment. Studies from the last two and one-half decades have revealed the pathways underlying the biosynthesis and metabolism of cytokinin and have elucidated the mechanisms of its perception and signaling, which reflects an ancient signaling system evolved from two-component elements in bacteria. Mutants in the genes encoding elements involved in these processes have helped refine our understanding of cytokinin functions in plants. Further, recent advances have provided insight into the mechanisms of intracellular and long-distance cytokinin transport and the identification of several proteins that operate downstream of cytokinin signaling. Here, we review these processes through a historical lens, providing an overview of cytokinin metabolism, transport, signaling, and functions in higher plants.
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- PAR ID:
- 10541038
- Publisher / Repository:
- Oxford University
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- The Plant Cell
- Volume:
- 36
- Issue:
- 5
- ISSN:
- 1040-4651
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1429 to 1450
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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