Auxin-induced growth of tuber tissue of Jerusalem artichoke VIII. Role of cyclic AMP in the action of auxin, cytokinin and gibberellic acid

Cyclic AMP showed no growth-promoting effect when given aloneto unaged slices excised from Jerusalem artichoke tubers. Butit synergistically enhanced cell expansion when given togetherwith an auxin, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Growth responsesof aged slices to cyclic AMP were much smaller than those ofunaged slices. Cyclic AMP was substantially effective when sliceswere aged in the presence of cyclic AMP, then were transferredto a growth solution containing auxin. Interactions betweencyclic AMP and gibberellic acid or kinetin were additive inpromoting auxininduced cell expansion. Both caffeine and theophylline,inhibitors of phosphodiesterase, enhanced the stimulating effectof applied cyclic AMP on auxin-induced cell expansion. But theydid not enhance the promoting effect of gibberellic acid orkinetin on auxininduced cell expansion. These results suggestthat cyclic AMP did not act as a second messenger for any auxin,gibberellic acid and cytokinin in the promotion of cell expansionin this tissue. (Received September 27, 1972; )