Cytokinins in the perennial herb Urtica dioica L. as influenced by its nitrogen status

The effect of nitrogen on the cytokinin relations of Urtica dioica, the stinging nettle, has been investigated. The plants were grown in quartz sand and nutrient solutions providing levels of nitrate ranging from 1 to 22 mM. Nitrogen supply did not affect biomass production within the range of 3–15 mM NO ₃ ^- . However, the shoot: root ratio of biomass was significantly higher at 15 mM (standard plants) than at 3 mM (low-nitrogen plants) nitrate supply. The cytokinin patterns of the roots, stems and adult, as well as meristematic leaves of plants grown at these two levels of nitrate supply, were determined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and immunoassays. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for zeatin riboside, dihydrozeatin riboside, isopentenyladenosine, benzyladenosine and o-hydroxybenzyladenosine enabled the quantification of 17 cytokinins, 13 of which were found in the various tissues of Urtica. trans-Zeatin and its conjugates were the predominant cytokinins in all examined samples. While the free base trans-zeatin and its O-glucoside were the major cytokinins in adult leaves, trans-zeatin riboside was prominent in the other tissues of at least the standard plants. Glucosides of the trans-zeatin type cytokinins were present only in lower amounts. However, considerable amounts of a compound, tentatively identified as cis-zeatin riboside-O-glucoside, were found, particularly in roots and meristematic leaves. Comparatively high amounts of trans-zeatin nucleotide as well as isopentenyladenosine phosphate were also demonstrated in these tissues. Analysis of the root-pressure exudates similarly showed trans-zeatin riboside and, at a lower concentration, trans-zeatin to be the only substantial components. In the low-nitrogen plants, shortage of nitrogen was manifest only in the roots; the nitrogen contents of the shoots did not respond to the nitrogen supply. Likewise, the total content of cytokinins in the shoots of the low-nitrogen plants equaled that of the standard-plant shoots, while it was lower by about 25% in the roots of the low-nitrogen plants. In the latter, the amounts of cytokinins exuded via the root-pressure fluid were also approximately 25% lower. Since the levels of only the trans-zeatin cytokinins in the roots showed a linear correlation with the shoot-to-root ratios, these cytokinins may play an important role in biomass partitioning in Urtica dioica.Abbreviations DHZ dihydrozeatin - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - -G glucoside - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography - 2iP isopentenyladenine - 2iPA isopentenyladenosine - -N nucleotide (ribotide) - -OG O-glucoside - -R riboside - S/R shoot-to-root (ratio) - Z zeatin This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft within the scope of the SFB 137. The authors wish to thank Mrs. A. Fischbach for skilful technical assistence and Dr. Paul Ziegler (Lehrstuhl für Pflanzenphysiologie, University of Bayreuth, FRG) for linguistic suggestions.     

Mass spectrometric analysis of cytokinins in plant tissues : v. Identification of the cytokinin complex of datura innoxia crown gall tissue

The cytokinin complex of Datura innoxia Mill. crown gall tissue was purified by ion exchange, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. By gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using ²H-labeled compounds, the following cytokinins were identified in the basic fraction eluting from a cation exchange column: zeatin, zeatin riboside, dihydrozeatin, dihydrozeatin riboside, their corresponding O-glucosides, 7- and 9-glucosides of zeatin, 9-glucoside of dihydrozeatin, isopentenyladenine, and isopentenyladenosine. Zeatin riboside 5′-monophosphate was the major cytokinin nucleotide in the tissue. In addition, dihydrozeatin riboside and isopentenyladenosine were identified in the nucleotide fraction following enymic degradation.     

Involvement of cis-Zeatin, Dihydrozeatin, and Aromatic Cytokinins in Germination and Seedling Establishment of Maize, Oats, and Lucerne

The aims of this study were to monitor endogenous cytokinin levels during germination and early seedling establishment in oats, maize, and lucerne to determine which cytokinin forms are involved in these processes; to quantify the transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA)-bound cytokinins; and to measure cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX) activity. Cytokinins were identified using UPLC-MS/MS. The predominant free cytokinins present in the dry seeds were dihydrozeatin-type (DHZ) in lucerne and maize and cZ-type (cis-zeatin) in oats. Upon imbibition, there was a large increase in cZ-type cytokinins in lucerne although the cZ-type cytokinins remained at high levels in oats. In maize, the high concentrations of DHZ-type cytokinins decreased prior to radicle emergence. Four tRNA-bound cytokinins [cis-zeatin riboside (cZR)>N ⁶-(2-isopentenyl)adenosine (iPR), dihydrozeatin riboside (DHZR), trans-zeatin riboside (tZR)] were detected in low concentrations in all three species investigated. CKX activity was measured using an in vitro radioisotope assay. The order of substrate preference was N ⁶-(2-isopentenyl)adenine (iP)>trans-zeatin (tZ)>cZ in all three species, with activity fluctuating as germination proceeded. There was a negative correlation between CKX activity and iP concentrations and a positive correlation between CKX activity and O-glucoside levels. As O-glucosides are less resistant to CKX degradation, they may provide a readily available source of cytokinins that can be converted to physiologically active cytokinins required during germination. Aromatic cytokinins made a very small contribution to the total cytokinin pool and increased only slightly during seedling establishment, suggesting that they do not play a major role in germination.     

Spatial and temporal changes in endogenous cytokinins in developing pea roots

Germination and seedling establishment follows a distinct pattern which is partly controlled by hormones. Roots have high levels of cytokinins. By quantifying the fluctuations in endogenous cytokinins over time, further insight may be gained into the role of cytokinins during germination and seedling establishment. Radicles were excised from sterile Pisum sativum L. seeds after 30 min and 5 h imbibition. Seedlings germinated on agar were harvested after 1, 3, 6 and 9 days. The roots were divided into the root tip, root free zone, secondary root zone and from day 6, the secondary roots. Samples were purified by various chromatographic methods and endogenous cytokinins detected by LC(+)ES-MS. Benzyladenine levels doubled after 5 h imbibition and then gradually decreased over time. Low concentrations of cis-Zeatin (cZ) type cytokinins were detected in the radicle after 30 min imbibition. After 5 h imbibition, cis-zeatin riboside-5′-monophosphate had greatly increased. The total cytokinin content of the roots increased over time with the ribotides being the predominant conjugates. From day 3 onwards, there was a gradual increase in the free bases, O-glucosides and their ribosylated forms. Mainly N ⁶ -(2-isopentenyl)adenine (iP)-type cytokinins were detected in the root tip, whereas trans-zeatin- (tZ), dihyrozeatin- (DHZ) and iP-type cytokinins were found in the secondary roots and root zone. Cytokinin biosynthesis was only detected after day 6. Biosynthesis of iP and tZ derivatives was quite rapid, whereas biosynthesis of cZ derivatives remained at a low basal level. These fluctuations in cytokinin types and concentrations suggest the cytokinins may be synthesized from various pathways in pea roots.     

Overexpression of Farnesyl Diphosphate Synthase in Arabidopsis Mitochondria Triggers Light-dependent Lesion Formation and Alters Cytokinin Homeostasis

To investigate the role of mitochondrial farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPS) in plant isoprenoid biosynthesis we characterized transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing FPS1L isoform. This overexpressed protein was properly targeted to mitochondria yielding a mature and active form of the enzyme of 40 kDa. Leaves from transgenic plants grown under continuous light exhibited symptoms of chlorosis and cell death correlating to H₂O₂ accumulation, and leaves detached from the same plants displayed accelerated senescence. Overexpression of FPS in mitochondria also led to altered leaf cytokinin profile, with a reduction in the contents of physiologically active trans-zeatin- and isopentenyladenine-type cytokinins and their corresponding riboside monophosphates as well as enhanced levels of cis-zeatin 7-glucoside and storage cytokinin O-glucosides. Overexpression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase did not prevent chlorosis in plants overexpressing FPS1L, but did rescue accelerated senescence of detached leaves and restored wild-type levels of cytokinins. We propose that the overexpression of FPS1L leads to an enhanced uptake and metabolism of mevalonic acid-derived isopentenyl diphosphate and/or dimethylallyl diphosphate by mitochondria, thereby altering cytokinin homeostasis and causing a mitochondrial dysfunction that renders plants more sensitive to the oxidative stress induced by continuous light.     

Simultaneous quantification of retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid isomers by high-performance liquid chromatography with a simple gradiation

A new method of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis to quantify isomers of retinol, retinal and retinoic acid simultaneously was established. The HPLC system consisted of a silica gel absorption column and a linear gradient with two kinds of solvents containing n-Hexane, 2-propanol, and glacial acetic acid in different ratios. It separated six retinoic acid isomers (13-cis, 9-cis, all-trans, all-trans-4-oxo, 9-cis-4-oxo, 13-cis-4-oxo), three retinal isomers (13-cis-, 9-cis-, and all-trans) and two retinol isomers (13-cis- and all-trans). Human serum samples were subjected to this HPLC analysis and at least, all-trans retinol, 13-cis retinol, and all-trans retinoic acid were detectable. This HPLC system is useful for evaluating retinoic acid formation from retinol via a two-step oxidation pathway. Moreover, it could be applied to monitoring the concentrations of various retinoids, including all-trans retinoic acid in human sera.     

Variations in the Levels of cis- and trans-Ribosylzeatins and Other Minor Cytokinins during Development and Growth of Cones of the Hop Plant

The endogenous cytokinins in cones of the hop plant (Humuluslupulus L. cv. Shinshuwase) were identified by combined gaschromatography and selected ion current monitoring (GC-SIM)and high performance liquid chromatography as ribosyl-cis-zeatin,ribosyl-trans-zeatin, cis-zeatin, trans-zeatin and ribosyl-trans-zeatin-O-glucoside.The contents of these cytokinins in both fertilized and unfertilizedcones at various growth stages were determined using GC-SIMand/or bioassay. Based on these data, the rapid growth of thefertilized cone is attributed mainly to ribosyl-trans-zeatinwhich accumulates mostly in the seed. Ribosyl-cis-zeatin wasfound in both fertilized and unfertilized cones. In the latter,ribosyl-cis-zeatin was quantitatively a major cytokinin andseemed to cooperate with ribosyl-trans-zeatin and trans-zeatinin promoting the growth. (Received January 12, 1981; Accepted February 10, 1981)     

Competition of cyclooctenes and cyclooctadienes for ethylene binding and activity in plants

trans-Cyclooctene, cis,trans-1,5-cyclooctadiene, and cis,trans-1,3-cyclooctadiene have been compared with the cis and cis,cis isomers and with 2,5-norbornadiene for competition with ethylene for binding in mung bean sprouts and tobacco and for action (induction of chlorophyll degradation) in banana. The compounds containing a trans double bond were much more effective in competition for binding and action than the cis and cis,cis compounds. trans-Cyclooctene and cis,trans-1,3-cyclooctadiene were in the general range of 50–90 times more effective than 2,5-norbornadiene.R.J. Reynolds Research Apprentice     

Substrate selectivity of lipases in the esterification of cis/trans-isomers and positional isomers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)

The substrate selectivity of several microbial lipases has been examined in the esterification of the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers cis-9,trans-11-, cis-9,cis-11-, trans-9,trans-11- and trans-10,cis-12-octadecadienoic acid with n-butanol in n-hexane. Lipases from Candida cylindracea and Mucor miehei had a preference for the cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid, while Chirazyme L-5, a Candida antarctica lipase A, accepted the trans-9,trans-11-fatty acid with a high selectivity. Moreover, lipase from Candida cylindracea and Chirazyme L-5 catalysed the esterification of the cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid with n-butanol faster than the corresponding reaction of the trans-10,cis-12-fatty acid.     

ENDOGENOUS CYTOKININS IN THREE GENERA OF MICROALGAE FROM THE CHLOROPHYTA1

Nine axenic microalgal (Chlorophyta) strains from three genera (Protococcus, Chlorella, and Scenedesmus) were analyzed for endogenous cytokinins. Cytokinin‐like activity was detected using the excised cucumber cotyledon bioassay. Five strains showed no cytokinin‐like activity and four strains, low cytokinin‐like activity. Ethanolic extracts of the microalgae containing a mixture of deuterium‐labeled standards were purified using a combined DEAE‐Sephadex octadecysilica column and immunoaffinity column based on wide‐range specific mon‐oclonal antibodies and analyzed by HPLC linked to a micromass single quadrupole mass spectrometer with an electrospray interface and a photodiode array detector. There were similar trends in cytokinin profiles for the nine microalgal strains investigated, although concentrations did vary. Both isopentenyladenine and isopentenyladenosine were detected in all nine strains. cis‐Zeatin and cis‐zeatin riboside occurred at higher concentrations than the trans isomers, whereas trans‐zeatin‐O‐glucoside and trans‐zeatin riboside‐O‐glucoside were dominant over the cis isomers. Dihydrozeatin and its conjugates were not detected in any significant amounts. The aromatic benzyladenine always occurred at higher concentrations than benzyladenosine. The topolins were well represented with all three isomers (ortho, meta, and para) being detected, with ortho‐topolin and ortho‐topolin riboside occurring at higher concentrations than the other isomers. However, for the O‐glucosides, the meta isomers (meta‐topolin‐O‐glucoside and meta‐topolin riboside‐O‐glucoside) occurred at higher concentrations than the other isomers. No N‐glucosides were detected (isopentenyladenine‐9‐glucoside, zeatin‐9‐glucoside, dihydrozeatin‐9‐glucoside, benzyladenine‐9‐glucoside, ortho‐topolin‐9‐glucoside, and meta‐topolin‐9‐glucoside). Generally, zeatin and topolin conjugates were the dominant forms of isoprenoid and aromatic cytokinins, respectively. There was no distinct trend in the proportions of isoprenoid to aromatic cytokinins.     

Rapid identification of cytokinins by an immunological method

A method for rapid identification of bacterial cytokinins has been developed in which cultures are fed [³H]adenine, the cytokinins (including ³H-labeled cytokinins) are isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography, and analyzed by HPLC with on-line scintillation counting. Analysis of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains showed that some produced primarily trans-zeatin, whereas others produced primarily trans-zeatin riboside. Pseudomonas syringae pv savastanoi produced mixtures of trans-zeatin, dihydrozeatin, 1″-methyl-trans-zeatin riboside, and other unknown cytokinin-like substances. Corynebacterium fascians, produced cis-zeatin, isopentenyladenine and isopentenyladenosine. The technique is designed for qualitative rather than quantitative studies and allows ready identification of bacterial cytokinins. It may also have utility in the study of plant cytokinins if adequate incorporation of label into cytokinin precursor pools can be achieved.     

Cytokinin biosynthesis in plant tumour tissues

A range of endogenous cytokinins have been identified inDatura crown-gall tissue by GC-MS. Incorporation of [³H]adenine into zeatin riboside, zeatin and its nucleotide(s) is also shown. Metabolism studies usingcis- andtrans-isomers of zeatin riboside indicate that interconversion of the two isomers does not occur in this tissue. Data on the identity of major endogenous cytokinins in a genetic tumour line of tobacco is also provided.     

Identification of enriched conjugated linoleic acid isomers in cultures of ruminal microorganisms after dosing with 1-<Superscript>13</Superscript>C-linoleic acid

Most studies of linoleic acid biohydrogenation propose that it converts to stearic acid through the production of cis-9 trans-11 CLA and trans-11 C18:1. However, several other CLA have been identified in ruminai contents, suggesting additional pathways may exist. To explore this possibility, this research investigated the linoleic acid biohydrogenation pathway to identify CLA isomers in cultures of ruminai microorganisms after dosing with a ¹³C stable isotope. The ¹³C enrichment was calculated as [(M+1/M)×100] in labeled minus unlabeled cultures. After 48 h incubation, significant ¹³C enrichment was observed in seven CLA isomers, indicating their formation from linoleic acid. All enriched CLA isomers had double bonds in either the 9,11 or 10,12 position except for trans-9 cis-11 CLA. The cis-9 trans-11 CLA exhibited the highest enrichment (30.65%), followed by enrichments from 21.06 to 23.08% for trans-10 cis-12, cis-10 trans-12, trans-9 trans-11, and trans-10 trans-12 CLA. The remaining two CLA (cis-9 cis-11 and cis-10 cis-12 CLA) exhibited enrichments of 18.38 and 19.29%, respectively. The results of this study verified the formation of cis-9 trans-11 and trans-10 cis-12 CLA isomers from linoleic acid biohydrogenation. An additional five CLA isomers also contained carbons originating from linoleic acid, indicating that pathways of linoleic acid biohydrogenation are more complex than previously described.     

Dihydroconiferyl alcohol — A cell division factor from Acer species

A compound that stimulated growth of soybean callus was isolated from spring sap of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.). Insufficient compound was isolated to permit it to be characterised. A compound with identical properties was isolated from commercial maple syrup, the concentrated spring sap of Acer saccharum L. The compound was identified as 3-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propan-1-ol (dihydroconiferyl alcohol, DCA). DCA was also active in the tobacco callus and radish leaf senescence assays, but was inactive in four other tests for cytokinin activity. DCA acted synergistically with kinetin to promote soybean callus growth. It is concluded that DCA has properties distinct from those of purine cytokinins.Abbreviation DCA dihydroconiferyl acohol - GC gas chromatography - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - iP isopentenyladenine - [9R]iP isopentenyladenosine - LC liquid chromatography - MS mass spectrometry - NAA 1-napthylacetic acid - TLC thinlayer chromatography - TMSi trimethylsilyl     

Immunoaffinity co-purification of cytokinins and analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet-spectrum detection

A rapid methodology for the simultaneous analysis of a large number of cytokinins is presented. The cross-reactivity of a mixture of polyclonal antibodies against zeatin riboside and isopentenyladenosine was exploited in a protocol that can be used for immunoaffinity purification of 23 additional cytokinins. Ligands include the cytokinin bases zeatin, dihydrozeatin, isopentenyladenine, benzyl-adenine and kinetin, and their corresponding nucleoside, nucleoside-5′-monophosphate, and 9-glucoside derivatives, as well as cis-zeatin, cis-zeatin riboside, the 2-methylthiol derivatives of isopentenyladenosine and zeatin riboside, and benzyl-adenine-3-glucoside. Mixtures of cytokinins could be retained with high recoveries of all the components. Immunoaffinity purification of extracts of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. and Solarium tuberosum L. gave fractions clean enough, as verified by gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS), to allow analysis of endogenous cytokinins using a single high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) step with on-line UV-spectrum detection. The detection limit was 4–6 pmol. The procedure described forms a routine assaying technique that is faster and simpler, yet yields better qualitative and quantitative information than the commonly used procedure of immunoassaying of HPLC fractions.     

Production of the taste/odor-causing compound,trans-2,cis-6-nonadienal,within the Synurophyceae

Although several species of the Synurophyceae have been associated with taste and odor problems in potable water supplies, electron microscopic-based field studies linked problematic blooms only toSynura petersenii Korshikov. Eventually, the organic compoundtrans-2,cis-6-nonadienal was implicated to cause the associated cucumberlike odors. The objective of this study was to survey unialgal cultures of various Synurophycean species for the occurrence oftrans-2,cis-6-nonadienal. The compound was detected throughout a 24-day growth assay with aS. petersenii isolate, but was not detected in an identical assay withSynura sphagnicola (Korshikov) Korshikov. In separate 24-day cultures,trans-2,cis-6-nonadienal was detected in two isolates from theS. petersenii species complex, but was not detected in isolates of twoMallomonas or fourSynura taxa not from theS. petersenii complex. These results support the hypothesis that production oftrans-2,cis-6-nonadienal is unique to taxa within theS. petersenii complex. When contrast-enhancing optics and specific specimen preparation techniques are employed, light microscopy can be used to distinguish taxa in theS. petersenii complex from all other Synurophycean taxa. These methods are suggested as an efficient way to monitortrans-2,cis-6-nonadienal-producing taxa in potable water supplies.Author for correspondence     

Chicken egg yolk antibodies for cytokinin analysis

The production, isolation, and purification of specific chicken immunoglobulins (Igs) against three main groups of naturally occurring cytokinins are reported. The specific Igs directed against, respectively, zeatin riboside, dihydrozeatin riboside, and isopentenyladenosine are extracted from the egg yolk and used in radioimmunoassays that allow the quantification in parallel of pmol of the cytokinins in plant extracts. As little as 50 fmol of zeatin riboside, 20 fmol of isopentenyladenosine, and 40 fmol of dihydrozeatin riboside can be detected. The levels of cytokinins measured in the radio-immunoassay correlate well with physicochemical analysis methods such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV spectrum detection and HPLC-coupled mass spectrometric detection. Cross-reactivity studies indicate that the assay is not affected by most of the structurally related compounds. The respective antibody preparations recognized zeatin riboside, dihydrozeatin riboside, and isopentenyladenosine and the corresponding free bases. The results obtained when analyzing crude plant extracts are expressed as zeatin riboside equivalents, dihydrozeatin riboside equivalents, and isopentenyladenosine equivalents.Abbreviations B binding activity - B ₀ maximal binding - B ₁ unspecific binding - GC gas chromatography - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - LC-MS HPLC-coupled mass spectrometry - MOPS 4-morpholinepropanesulfonic acid - RIA radioimmunoassay - TBS Tris-buffered saline - (diH)Z dihydrozeatin - (diH) [9R]Z dihydrozeatin riboside - iP isopentenyladenine - [9R]iP isopentenyladenosine - Z zeatin - [9R]Z zeatin riboside - [9G]iP isopentenyladenine-9-glucoside - [9R-5P]iP isopentenyladenosine-5-monophosphate     

Zeatin-9-glucoside,a major endogenous cytokinin of Vinca rosea L. crown gall tissue

Cultured crown gall tissue of Vinca rosea L. was found to contain, in addition to the previously reported cytokinins zeatin, zeatin riboside, and the 0-glucosides of these two compounds, relatively high levels of zeatin-9-D-glucopyranoside. This is the first conclusive identification of an endogenous cytokinin 9-glucoside.Abbreviations GC gas chromatography - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography - I.D. internal diameter - RFE rotary film evaporation - TLC thin layer chromatography - TMS trimethylsilyl - UV ultraviolet - Z zeatin - Z7G zeatin-7-glucoside - Z9G zeatin-9-glucoside - Z0G zeatin-0-glucoside - ZR zeatin riboside - ZR0G zeatin riboside-0-glucoside     

The effect of cytokinins on growth and sexual organ development in the gametophyte of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Blechnum spicant</Emphasis> L.

In this study, we report the role of exogenous and endogenous cytokinins on growth and sexual organ development in the fern Blechnum spicant L. Spore-derived gametophytes (SG) were cultured in full-strength Murashige and Skoog (1962) liquid medium supplemented with (a) 4.44 μMN⁶-benzyladenine (BAP), (b) a crude extract from mature female gametophytes, and (c) 4.44 μM BAP in combination with the crude extract from mature gametophytes, respectively. Both BAP and the crude extract delayed the gametophyte development, and this effect was increased when they were added together. With respect to sexual organ development, BAP inhibited the sexual organ formation, while the crude extract favored antheridia formation; however, when added together, the percentage of antheridia decreased. The endogenous level of the cytokinins cis-zeatin (cZ), cis-zeatin-riboside (cZR), dihydrozeatin (DHZ), dihydrozeatin riboside (DHZR), isopentenyl adenine (iP), isopentenyl adenosine (iPR), isopentenyl-9-glucoside (iP9G), trans-zeatin (tZ), and trans-zeatin riboside (tZR) were analyzed in female and male gametophytes of B. spicant L. The endogenous levels of cytokinins tZ, cZ, DHZ, cZR, iP, and iPR were higher in female gametophytes than in male gametophytes, with the endogenous iP and iPR content being increased more than 300 and 400 times, respectively.