Antisenescent Activity of Natural Cytokinins

The antisenescent activity of naturally occurring cytokinins (bases and ribosides) has been evaluated by measuring chlorophyll retention in detached wheat (Triticum vulgare) leaf segments. 6-(3-Methyl-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthiopurine (ms2ip) was the most active cytokinin followed by 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-trans-2-butenylamino)purine (tZ). 6-(4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-cis-2-butenylamino)-9-β-D-ribofuranosylpurine (cZR), 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-trans-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthio-9β-D-ribofuranosylpurine (MstZR), and 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-cis-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthio-9-β-D-ribofuroanosylpurine (mscZR) were essentially inactive. 9-Ribosyl substitution did not affect the activity of tZ, (±)-6-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbutylamino)purine (DHZ), or 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine (2ip), but lowered the activity of 6-(o-hydroxybenzylamino)purine (OHBA) and 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-cis-2-butenylamino)purine (cZ). 2-Methylthio substitution increased the activity of 2ip and DHZ, decreased the activity of tZ, and had no effect on the activity of cZ. The activities of the simultaneously substituted 2-methylthio-9-ribosyl compounds are lower than those of their corresponding unsubstituted or 2-methylthio substituted bases with the exception of DHZ. Structure-activity relationships for chlorophyll retention did not parallel many of the relationships found for callus tissue growth stimulation.     

Identification of plant hormones from cotton ovules

An extract from 8-day-old cotton ovules (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was partitioned into three fractions and each fraction was derivatized and analyzed separately. Gas-liquid chromatography and computer-controlled gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to separate, measure, and identify the naturally occurring plant hormones. A single extract contained abscisic acid, indoleacetic acid, and gibberellins A(1), A(3), A(4), A(7), A(9), and A(13) in the first fraction; ethyl indole-3-acetate and indole-3-aldehyde in the second fraction; and the cytokinins 6-(3-methyl-4-hydroxybutylamino)purine (dihydrozeatin), 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-trans-butenylamino) purine (zeatin), 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine(2iP), 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9-beta-d-ribofuranosylpurine(2iPA), and 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-trans-butenylamino)-9-beta-d- ribofuranosylpurine (zeatin riboside) in the third fraction.     

Cytokinins with different connecting links between purine and isopentenyl or benzyl groups

Using the tobacco bioassay a comparison was made between the cytokinin activities of the following series of compounds with different connecting links (6-NH, S, O, CH₂) between the purine ring and isopentenyl or benzyl groups: 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine (1a), 6-(3-methyl-2- butenylthio)purine (1b), 6-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)purine (1c), and 6-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)purine (1d); 6-benzylaminopurine (2a), 6-benzylthiopurine (2b), 6-benzyloxypurine (2c), and 6-(2-phenethyl)purine (2d); also 6-trans-styrylpurine (3), the synthetic precursor of 2d. All possess cytokinin activity, thus providing evidence that the intact base, consisting of nucleus and sidechain at the purine 6-position, is necessary and sufficient for such activity as measured in the tobacco bioassay. The biological activity in the 6-(3-methyl- 2-butenyl-X)purine series decreases as a function of the linkage group in the order X = NH > CH₂ > S ⪢ O and in the 6-benzyl-X-purine series in the order X = NH > CH₂ = O ⪢ S. The 6-trans-styrylpurine (3) is about equally active as 6-(2-phenethyl)purine (2d).     

Isolation and identification of cytokinins from Euglena gracilis transfer ribonucleic acid.

Three ribonucleosides responsible for cytokinin activity in Euglena gracilis var Bacillaris tRNA have been isolated and identified as 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9-beta-D-ribofuranosylpurine, 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-cis-2-butenylamino)-9-beta-D-ribofuranosylpurine, and 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthio-9-beta-D-ribofuranosylpurine. The structures of these compounds were assigned on the basis of their chromatographic properties and ultraviolet and mass spectra which were identical with those of the corresponding synthetic compounds. The elution profiles of cytokinin bioassay activity and of 35S radioactivity suggest the presence of a trace amount of 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthio-9-beta-D-ribofuranosylpurine.     

Cytokinins: synthesis and biological activity of geometric and position isomers of zeatin

Geometric and position isomers of zeatin and of ribosylzeatin and other compounds closely related to zeatin have been tested in the tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum var. Wisconsin No. 38) bioassay. None was more active than zeatin itself. There was a much greater difference in activity (> 50-fold) between trans- and cis-zeatin than between trans-isozeatin [6-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-trans-2-butenylamino) purine] and cis-isozeatin [6-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-cis-2-butenylamino) purine], the latter being less active than cis-zeatin and trans-isozeatin. Higher concentrations were required for equivalent callus growth stimulated by the 9-ribosyl derivatives, which followed an order of decreasing activity: ribosyl-trans-zeatin > ribosyl-cis-zeatin > ribosyl-trans-isozeatin > ribosyl-cis-isozeatin, corresponding roughly to that of the bases. The effect of side chain, double bond saturation was to diminish the activity, and in the dihydro series the shift of the methyl group from the 3- to the 2-position in going from dihydrozeatin to dihydroisozeatin [6-(4-hydroxy-2-methylbutylamino) purine] resulted in a 70-fold decrease in activity. cis-Norzeatin [6-(4-hydroxy-cis-2-butenylamino) purine], which was less than one-fifth as active as cis-zeatin, showed the effect of complete removal of the side chain methyl group, and cyclic-norzeatin [6-(3,6-dihydro-1,2-oxazin-2-yl) purine] was about 1/100 as active as cis-norzeatin. These findings delineate completely the effect on the cytokinin activity of zeatin of variation in side chain geometry, presence and position of the methyl substituent, presence and geometry of hydroxyl substitution, presence of the double bond, and of side chain cyclization.     

Comparison of cytokinin activities of naturally occurring ribonucleosides and corresponding bases

Cytokinin activities in the tobacco bioassay have been determined for four adenosine derivatives known to be components of wheat germ tRNA: 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9-β-d-ribofuranosylpurine, 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9-β-d-ribofuranosylpurine, 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)- 2-methylthio-9-β-d-ribofuranosylpurine, and 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthio-9-β-d-ribofuranosylpurine. Also determined and compared with the four natural components of tRNA were the activities of the four 3-methylbutylamino analogs of the naturally occurring species and the eight substituted purines corresponding to both sets of ribonucleosides. The systematic structural modifications within this group of sixteen compounds were reflected in the variations in cytokinin activity with the level of modification.     

Cytokinins in Corynebacterium fascians Cultures: Isolation and Identification of 6-(4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-cis-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthiopurine

In addition to the four cytokinins, 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine, 6-methylaminopurine and the cis and trans isomers of 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine, reported earlier from our laboratories, three cytokinin-active fractions have been obtained from the aqueous medium of 6-day-old Corynebacterium fascians cultures. One of these has been identified as 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-cis-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthiopurine (2-methylthio-cis-zeatin, c-ms²io⁶ Ade).     

Cytokinins: Synthesis of 2-, 8-, and 2,8-substituted 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purines and their relative activities in promoting cell growth

We have synthesized 2- and 8-monosubstituted and 2,8-disubstituted derivatives of the cytokinin 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine (N⁶-isopentenyladenine) and have shown the dependence of growth-promoting activity in the tobacco bioassay upon the position, number, and type of substituent. The representative substituent groups were MeS, Me, MeSO₂, C₆H₅CH₂S, HS and Cl. The 8-methyl derivative was exceptional in being more active than the unsubstituted parent compound. In general, substitution in the 8-position decreases activity less than substitution in the 2-position, with the exception of the electron-attracting methylsulfonyl. Substitution in both the 2- and 8-positions lowers the activity more than substitution at either single position on the adenine nucleus, with the exception of the 2,8-dimethyl derivative. The chloro and methylthio derivatives show activity in the same range as the methyl derivatives, and the mercapto compounds, which exist mainly as CS tautomers, show somewhat less activity than the corresponding methylthio compounds. Bulky (C₆H₅CH₂S and MeSO₂) and strongly electron-attracting (MeSO₂) substituents cause relatively great reduction in cytokinin activity.     

Cytokinin activity of discadenine: A spore germination inhibitor of Dictyostelium discoideum

Discadenine, 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)-6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine, a spore germination inhibitor of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum showed cytokinin activity in the tobacco callus bioassay.     

Fluorescent cytokinins: Stretched-out analogs of N6-benzyladenine and N6-(Δ2-isopentenyl) adenine

We have synthesized and compared the cytokinin activities in the tobacco bioassay of a series of benzologs of 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine (N⁶-(Δ²-isopentenyl)adenine) (1a) and 6-benzylaminopurine (N⁶-benzyl-adenine) (1c). The linear benzo analogs 8-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)imidazo[4,5-g]quinazoline (2b) and 8-benzyla-minoimidazo[4,5-g]quinazoline (2c) are active, while 9-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)imidazo[4,5-f]quinazoline (3b) and 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)imidazo[4,5-h]quinazoline (4b) are slightly active and 9-benzylaminoimidazo[4,5-f]-quinazoline (3c) and 6-benzylaminoimidazo[4,5-h]quinazoline (4c) are inactive. Compounds 2b and 2c represent the first examples of active cytokinins containing a tri-heterocyclic moiety. The above series of compounds demonstrates structural factors that affect cytokinin activity. These compounds also have interesting fluorescence properties which could render them useful as probes to study the mechanism of cytokinin action.     

Cytokinins in immature seeds of Dolichos lablab

Five cytokinins, trans-zeatin, 9-β-d-ribofuranosyl-trans-zeatin, 9-β-d-ribofuranosyl-cis-zeatin, 6-(trans-4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine and 6-(trans-4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9-β-d-ribofuranosylpurine were identified from immature seeds of Dolichos lablab.     

Binding Specificity and Possible Analytical Applications of the Cytokinin-binding Antibody, Anti-N-Benzyladenosine

Antibodies elicited in rabbits by immunization with an N⁶-benzyladenosine-bovine serum albumin conjugate bound N⁶-benzyladenosine specifically. The affinity constants and specific binding site concentrations for a number of cytokinins and related compounds were estimated by nonlinear least squares analysis of direct or competitive ultrafiltration data. The antisera contained 230 to 330 nanomoles of cytokinin binding sites per gram protein. Affinity constants were 8.8 × 10⁸ molar⁻¹ for 6-benzylaminopurine, 8.4 × 10⁷ molar⁻¹ for kinetin, 9.1 × 10⁷ molar⁻¹ for 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine, 6.6 × 10⁶ molar⁻¹ for 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-trans-2-butenylamino)purine, and 2.0 × 10⁴ molar⁻¹ for 6-methylaminopurine. Affinity constants were below the limit of detectability (<10⁴ molar⁻¹) for benzylamine, adenine, and other adenine derivatives without an N⁶-side chain. The N⁶-substituent was thus immunodominant, but the purine moiety was also necessary for binding affinity. The antibodies were immobilized on cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose with 95% retention of binding capacity and without apparent change in affinity constants. Columns of the immobilized antibody retained 64% of the [³H]6-(3-methyl-2-butenylam-ino)purine from 2 nanomolar solutions and readily trapped [¹⁴C]6-benzylaminopurine that had been added to crude extracts of cabbage. Aqueous 10% pyridine adjusted to pH 7.3 with formic acid effectively eluted bound cytokinins from gel columns without loss of binding capacity of the immobilized antibody.     

In vitro cytokinin binding to a particulate cell fraction from protonemata of Funaria hygrometrica

Cytokinin-induced bud formation in moss protonemata is specific for cytokinin bases, their ribosides being relatively inactive. Binding of [³H]benzyladenine (BA) to a 13,000–80,000 x g subcellular fraction from extracts of Funaria hygrometrica (L.) Sibth. was measured by a centrifugation assay. Increasing concentrations of non-radioactive BA decreased the binding proportionally to the logarithm of the BA concentration between 3×10^-8 and 10^-4M. [³H]Zeatin also bound to these fractions, although the extent of binding was not as great as with [³H]BA. Biologically active cytokinins, including BA, zeatin, 6-(3-methyl-2-enylamino)purine (IPA) and kinetin, competed for the binding of [³H]BA, whereas the ribosides of BA, zeatin and IPA competed poorly. Other biologically inactive compounds, such as adenine and 9-methyl-BA, were also ineffective as competitors. The ability to bind BA by the 13,000–80,000 x g fraction was greatly reduced by treatment with 1% Triton X-100, and heat treatment eliminated more than one-half of the binding activity. Competitive binding appeared to be pH-dependent, with maximal activity between pH 6.0 and 6.5. After fractionation by differential centrifugation, the ability to bind cytokinins was not correlated with the RNA content of the fraction and thus probably did not represent binding to ribosomes which has been reported in other plant tissues. Cytokinins also exhibited competitive binding to non-biological materials, e.g., talc. The detailed characteristics of the binding of BA to talc were different from those to the biological fractions. However, the problem remains, in all studies of cytokinin binding, to distinguish between binding that is biologically meaningful, and biological (biologically) non-meaningful physical adsorption.Abbreviations BA N⁶-benzyladenine - IPA 6-(3-methyl-2-enylamino)purine - 9-MeBA N⁶-benzyl-9-methyladenine     

Propynyl groups in duplex DNA: stability of base pairs incorporating 7-substituted 8-aza-7-deazapurines or 5-substituted pyrimidines

Oligonucleotides incorporating the 7-propynyl derivatives of 8-aza-7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine (3b) and 8-aza-7-deaza-2′-deoxyadenosine (4b) were synthesized and their duplex stability was compared with those containing the 5-propynyl derivatives of 2′-deoxycytidine (1) and 2′-deoxyuridine (2). For this purpose phosphoramidites of the 8-aza- 7-deazapurine (pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine) nucleosides were prepared and employed in solid-phase synthesis. All propynyl nucleosides exert a positive effect on the DNA duplex stability because of the increased polarizability of the nucleobase and the hydrophobic character of the propynyl group. The propynyl residues introduced into the 7-position of the 8-aza-7-deazapurines are generally more stabilizing than those at the 5-position of the pyrimidine bases. The duplex stabilization of the propynyl derivative 4b was higher than for the bromo nucleoside 4c. The extraordinary stability of duplexes containing the 7-propynyl derivative of 8-aza-7- deazapurin-2,6-diamine (5b) is attributed to the formation of a third hydrogen bond, which is apparently not present in the base pair of the purin-2,6-diamine 2′-deoxyribonucleoside with dT.     

Cytokinin biosynthesis in cultured rootless tobacco plants

Biosynthesis of cytokinin in shoots was examined by growing rootless tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants in vitro. The rootless plants were originated by culturing tobacco callus on a high cytokinin-low auxin medium to induce the formation of plantlets which were then grown on medium without exogenous cytokinin and auxin. The rootless plants supplied with [(14)C]adenine synthesized ethanol-ethyl acetate-water-soluble radioactive components, portions of which had the same chromatographic and electrophoretic mobilities as N(6)-(Delta(2)-isopentenyl)adenine, N(6)-(Delta(2)-isopentenyl)adenosine, 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine and 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9-beta-d-ribofuranosylpurine. The total amount of these four major cytokinins was estimated to be present at a concentration of 14 to 23 nanomoles per kilogram of rootless plant. These data indicate that adenine serves as a precursor of the purine moiety of cytokinin molecules and that the cytokinin biosynthetic sites are also located in the shoot in addition to the presumed root sites.     

Synthesis and evaluation of in vitro anticancer activity of some novel isopentenyladenosine derivatives

The present study describes the synthesis, the characterization and the evaluation of some derivatives of N⁶-isopentenyladenosine on T24 human bladder carcinoma cells. In particular we have modified the hydroxyl groups in the ribose moiety, the position of the isopentenyl chain in the purine ring and the base moiety. The structures of the compounds were confirmed by standard studies of NMR, MS and elemental analysis. We here show that only two derivatives, 1-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9-(3′-deoxy-β-d-ribofuranosyl)-purine hydrobromide and 2-amino-6-(3-methyl-2- butenylamino)-9-(β-d-ribofuranosyl)-purine, inhibit the growth of T24 cells, although to a lower extent than N⁶-isopentenyladenosine. We conclude that the integrity of ribosidic and purine moiety and the N⁶ position of the chain are essential for maintaining the antiproliferative activity.     

The cytokinins of cultured carrot cells

Summary Cytokinin-autotrophic strains of carrot callus contained active substances with Chromatographic mobilities on Sephadex LH-20 corresponding to 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-trans-2-enylamino)purine (Zeatin, Z), 6-(3-methylbut-2-enylamino)purine (iP) and the ribosides (9R)Z and (9R)iP. The apparent major activity was found in a fraction, with an elution volume of 242–291 ml. Hydrolysis of this fraction with HCl and -Glucosidase gave rise to Z, indicating that the major active compound is a polar conjugate of Zeatin.In all experiments the extracts were tested immediately after preparation; deep freeze storage, led to a considerable loss of activity in polar fractions. while the free base cytokinins and their ribosides showed increased activity levels.Analogous results were obtained by means of paper chromatography.     

Modification of disease resistance of tobacco callus tissues by cytokinins

The effects of differing cytokinin and auxin concentrations on resistance of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) tissue cultures to race 0 of Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae were examined. With 1 micromolar kinetin and either 11.5 micromolar indoleacetic acid or 1 micromolar 2,4-dichlorophen-oxyacetic acid, tissues from resistant cultivars exhibited a “hypersensitive” reaction to zoospores of the fungus and subsequently were colonized only slightly. With susceptible cultivars or with tissues from resistant cultivars supplied with higher cytokinin levels (e.g. 10 micromolar kinetin), this hypersensitive reaction did not occur and tissues were heavily colonized. Benzylaminopurine and kinetin were particularly effective in eliminating both the hypersensitive reaction and disease resistance. Zeatin and 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine were less effective. Increases in indoleacetic acid levels reversed the effects of high cytokinin concentrations. The balance of phytohormones apparently controls the host response to the fungus; thus, in this system, resistance or susceptibility can be studied without changing either host or fungal genotype.     

Identification of a Cytokinin, 6-(3 Methyl-2-butenylamino) purine, in Sea Water and the Effect of Cytokinins on Brown Algae

Using combined gas chromatography and mass spectrometry a growth-promoting, organic component of sea water has been quantitatively estimated and identified as the cytokinin 6-(3 methyl-2-butenylamino) purine. Additions of this cytokinin, kinetin or sea water from the Fucus-Ascophyllum zone increased the growth of Ectocarpus confervoides and Pylaiella litoralis in artificial sea water. Additions of kinetin to bacteria-free cultures of Ectocarpus fasciculatus also initiated the production of upright ectocarpoid filaments.     

Cytokinins in tRNA Obtained from Spinacia oleracea L. Leaves and Isolated Chloroplasts

Cytokinin-active ribonucleosides have been isolated from tRNA of whole spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves and isolated spinach chloroplasts. The tRNA from spinach leaf blades contained: 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9-β-d-ribofuranosylpurine (cis and trans isomers), 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9-β-d-ribofuranosylpurine, and 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthio-9-β-d -ribofuranosylpurine (cis and trans isomers). A method for isolation of large amounts of intact chloroplasts was developed and subsequently used for the isolation of chloroplast tRNA. The chloroplast tRNA contained 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9-β-d-ribofuranosylpurine and 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthio-9-β-d -ribofuranosylpurine (the cis isomer only). The structures of these compounds were assigned on the basis of their chromatographic properties and mass spectra of trimethylsilyl derivatives which were identical with those of the corresponding synthetic compounds. The results of this study indicate that ribosylzeatin was present in spinach leaf tRNA, but absent from the purified chloroplast tRNA preparation.