The cytokinin receptor OHK4/OsHK4 regulates inflorescence architecture in rice via an IDEAL PLANT ARCHITECTURE1/WEALTHY FARMER'S PANICLE-mediated positive feedback circuit.

Inflorescence architecture is important for rice (Oryza sativa) grain yield. The phytohormone cytokinin (CK) has been shown to regulate rice inflorescence development; however, the underlying mechanism mediated by CK perception is still unclear. Employing a forward genetic approach, we isolated an inactive variant of the CK receptor OHK4/OsHK4 gene named panicle length1, which shows decreased panicle size due to reduced inflorescence meristem (IM) activity. A 2-amino acid deletion in the long α-helix stalk of the sensory module of OHK4 impairs the homodimerization and ligand-binding capacity of the receptor, even though the residues do not touch the ligand-binding domain or the dimerization interface. This deletion impairs CK signaling that occurs through the type-B response regulator OsRR21, which acts downstream of OHK4 in controlling inflorescence size. Meanwhile, we found that IDEAL PLANT ARCHITECTURE1(IPA1)/WEALTHY FARMER'S PANICLE (WFP), encoding a positive regulator of IM development, acts downstream of CK signaling and is directly activated by OsRR21. Additionally, we revealed that IPA1/WFP directly binds to the OHK4 promoter and upregulates its expression through interactions with 2 TCP transcription factors, forming a positive feedback circuit. Altogether, we identified the OHK4-OsRR21-IPA1 regulatory module, providing important insights into the role of CK signaling in regulating rice inflorescence architecture.

Canonical and Alternative Auxin Signaling Systems in Mono-, Di-, and Tetraploid Potatoes.

It has long been known that the phytohormone auxin plays a promoting role in tuber formation and stress tolerance in potatoes. Our study aimed to identify and characterize the complete sets of auxin-related genes that presumably constitute the entire auxin signaling system in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The corresponding genes were retrieved from sequenced genomes of the doubled monoploid S. tuberosum DM1-3-516-R44 (DM) of the Phureja group, the heterozygous diploid line RH89-039-16 (RH), and the autotetraploid cultivar Otava. Both canonical and noncanonical auxin signaling pathways were considered. Phylogenetic and domain analyses of deduced proteins were supplemented by expression profiling and 3D molecular modeling. The canonical and ABP1-mediated pathways of auxin signaling appeared to be well conserved. The total number of potato genes/proteins presumably involved in canonical auxin signaling is 46 and 108 in monoploid DM and tetraploid Otava, respectively. Among the studied potatoes, spectra of expressed genes obviously associated with auxin signaling were partly cultivar-specific and quite different from analogous spectrum in Arabidopsis. Most of the noncanonical pathways found in Arabidopsis appeared to have low probability in potato. This was equally true for all cultivars used irrespective of their ploidy. Thus, some important features of the (noncanonical) auxin signaling pathways may be variable and species-specific.

A Model of the Full-Length Cytokinin Receptor: New Insights and Prospects.

Cytokinins (CK) are one of the most important classes of phytohormones that regulate a wide range of processes in plants. A CK receptor, a sensor hybrid histidine kinase, was discovered more than 20 years ago, but the structural basis for its signaling is still a challenge for plant biologists. To date, only two fragments of the CK receptor structure, the sensory module and the receiver domain, were experimentally resolved. Some other regions were built up by molecular modeling based on structures of proteins homologous to CK receptors. However, in the long term, these data have proven insufficient for solving the structure of the full-sized CK receptor. The functional unit of CK receptor is the receptor dimer. In this article, a molecular structure of the dimeric form of the full-length CK receptor based on AlphaFold Multimer and ColabFold modeling is presented for the first time. Structural changes of the receptor upon interacting with phosphotransfer protein are visualized. According to mathematical simulation and available data, both types of dimeric receptor complexes with hormones, either half- or fully liganded, appear to be active in triggering signals. In addition, the prospects of using this and similar models to address remaining fundamental problems of CK signaling were outlined.

Cytokinin Perception in Ancient Plants beyond Angiospermae.

Cytokinins (CKs) control many plant developmental processes and responses to environmental cues. Although the CK signaling is well understood, we are only beginning to decipher its evolution. Here, we investigated the CK perception apparatus in early-divergent plant species such as bryophyte Physcomitrium patens, lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii, and gymnosperm Picea abies. Of the eight CHASE-domain containing histidine kinases (CHKs) examined, two CHKs, PpCHK3 and PpCHK4, did not bind CKs. All other CHK receptors showed high-affinity CK binding (KD of nM range), with a strong preference for isopentenyladenine over other CK nucleobases in the moss and for trans-zeatin over cis-zeatin in the gymnosperm. The pH dependences of CK binding for these six CHKs showed a wide range, which may indicate different subcellular localization of these receptors at either the plasma- or endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Thus, the properties of the whole CK perception apparatuses in early-divergent lineages were demonstrated. Data show that during land plant evolution there was a diversification of the ligand specificity of various CHKs, in particular, the rise in preference for trans-zeatin over cis-zeatin, which indicates a steadily increasing specialization of receptors to various CKs. Finally, this distinct preference of individual receptors to different CK versions culminated in vascular plants, especially angiosperms.

Hormonal Regulation and Crosstalk of Auxin/Cytokinin Signaling Pathways in Potatoes In Vitro and in Relation to Vegetation or Tuberization Stages.

Auxins and cytokinins create versatile regulatory network controlling virtually all aspects of plant growth and development. These hormonal systems act in close contact, synergistically or antagonistically, determining plant phenotype, resistance and productivity. However, the current knowledge about molecular interactions of these systems is still scarce. Our study with potato plants aimed at deciphering potential interactions between auxin and cytokinin signaling pathways at the level of respective gene expression. Potato plants grown on sterile medium with 1.5% (vegetation) or 5% (tuberization) sucrose were treated for 1 h with auxin or cytokinin. Effects of these two hormones on expression profiles of genes belonging to main signaling pathways of auxin and cytokinin were quantified by RT-qPCR. As a result, several signaling genes were found to respond to auxin and/or cytokinin by up- or down-regulation. The observed effects were largely organ-specific and depended on sucrose content. Auxin strongly reduced cytokinin perception apparatus while reciprocal cytokinin effect was ambiguous and sucrose-dependent. In many cases, functional clustering of genes of the same family was observed. Promoters in some clusters are enriched with canonic hormone-response cis-elements supporting their direct sensitivity to hormones. Collectively, our data shed new light on the crosstalk between auxin- and cytokinin signaling pathways.

A new tool for quantification of membrane protein partitioning between different cell membranes.

The aqueous two-phase partition system (ATPS) is a method widely used to separate and purify plant and animal membranes carrying bound proteins. However, a common problem of this separation is a mutual contamination of obtained phases. Such contamination adversely affects the accuracy of values of the protein of interest partition between particular membranes when determined by direct measurement. In order to overcome this problem, we have developed a fairly simple mathematical algorithm and found formulas designed to quantify correctly the distribution of the protein of interest between two different membranes. This new tool makes it possible to determine the bias-adjusted ratio of protein distribution between the membranes, regardless of the efficiency of membrane separation in a two-phase system. By means of this algorithm, not only current, but also a number of previously published ATPS-based experiments were (re)analyzed and quantified. The quantitative results of this large-scale analysis of the subcellular localization of various membrane proteins from Arabidopsis, potato, melon, and corn including cytokinin and ethylene receptors, ABCG14 cytokinin transporters, LRR receptor-like protein kinases, and BAK1 co-receptors are presented and discussed here.

The Maize Hairy Sheath Frayed1 (Hsf1) Mutation Alters Leaf Patterning through Increased Cytokinin Signaling.

Leaf morphogenesis requires growth polarized along three axes-proximal-distal (P-D) axis, medial-lateral axis, and abaxial-adaxial axis. Grass leaves display a prominent P-D polarity consisting of a proximal sheath separated from the distal blade by the auricle and ligule. Although proper specification of the four segments is essential for normal morphology, our knowledge is incomplete regarding the mechanisms that influence P-D specification in monocots such as maize (Zea mays). Here, we report the identification of the gene underlying the semidominant, leaf patterning maize mutant Hairy Sheath Frayed1 (Hsf1). Hsf1 plants produce leaves with outgrowths consisting of proximal segments-sheath, auricle, and ligule-emanating from the distal blade margin. Analysis of three independent Hsf1 alleles revealed gain-of-function missense mutations in the ligand binding domain of the maize cytokinin (CK) receptor Z. mays Histidine Kinase1 (ZmHK1) gene. Biochemical analysis and structural modeling suggest the mutated residues near the CK binding pocket affect CK binding affinity. Treatment of the wild-type seedlings with exogenous CK phenocopied the Hsf1 leaf phenotypes. Results from expression and epistatic analyses indicated the Hsf1 mutant receptor appears to be hypersignaling. Our results demonstrate that hypersignaling of CK in incipient leaf primordia can reprogram developmental patterns in maize.

Global View on the Cytokinin Regulatory System in Potato.

Cytokinins (CKs) were earlier shown to promote potato tuberization. Our study aimed to identify and characterize CK-related genes which constitute CK regulatory system in the core potato (Solanum tuberosum) genome. For that, CK-related genes were retrieved from the sequenced genome of the S. tuberosum doubled monoploid (DM) Phureja group, classified and compared with Arabidopsis orthologs. Analysis of selected gene expression was performed with a transcriptome database for the S. tuberosum heterozygous diploid line RH89-039-16. Genes responsible for CK signaling, biosynthesis, transport, and metabolism were categorized in an organ-specific fashion. According to this database, CK receptors StHK2/3 predominate in leaves and flowers, StHK4 in roots. Among phosphotransmitters, StHP1a expression largely predominates. Surprisingly, two pseudo-phosphotransmitters intended to suppress CK effects are hardly expressed in studied organs. Among B-type RR genes, StRR1b, StRR11, and StRR18a are actively expressed, with StRR1b expressing most uniformly in all organs and StRR11 exhibiting the highest expression in roots. By cluster analysis four types of prevailing CK-signaling chains were identified in (1) leaves and flowers, StHK2/3→S t H P1a→StRR1b/+; (2) shoot apical meristems, stolons, and mature tubers, StHK2/4→S t H P1a→StRR1b/+; (3) stems and young tubers, StHK2/4→S t H P1a→StRR1b/11/18a; and (4) roots and tuber sprouts, StHK4→S t H P1a→StRR11/18a. CK synthesis genes StIPT3/5 and StCYP735A are expressed mainly in roots followed by tuber sprouts, but rather weakly in stolons and tubers. By contrast, CK-activation genes StLOGs are active in stolons, and StLOG3b expression is even stolon-confined. Apparently, the main CK effects on tuber initiation are realized via activity of StLOG1/3a/3b/7c/8a genes in stolons. Current advances and future directions in potato research are discussed.

Modeling of Protein⁻Protein Interactions in Cytokinin Signal Transduction.

The signaling of cytokinins (CKs), classical plant hormones, is based on the interaction of proteins that constitute the multistep phosphorelay system (MSP): catalytic receptors-sensor histidine kinases (HKs), phosphotransmitters (HPts), and transcription factors-response regulators (RRs). Any CK receptor was shown to interact in vivo with any of the studied HPts and vice versa. In addition, both of these proteins tend to form a homodimer or a heterodimeric complex with protein-paralog. Our study was aimed at explaining by molecular modeling the observed features of in planta protein-protein interactions, accompanying CK signaling. For this purpose, models of CK-signaling proteins' structure from Arabidopsis and potato were built. The modeled interaction interfaces were formed by rather conserved areas of protein surfaces, complementary in hydrophobicity and electrostatic potential. Hot spots amino acids, determining specificity and strength of the interaction, were identified. Virtual phosphorylation of conserved Asp or His residues affected this complementation, increasing (Asp-P in HK) or decreasing (His-P in HPt) the affinity of interacting proteins. The HK-HPt and HPt-HPt interfaces overlapped, sharing some of the hot spots. MSP proteins from Arabidopsis and potato exhibited similar properties. The structural features of the modeled protein complexes were consistent with the experimental data.

Auxins in potato: molecular aspects and emerging roles in tuber formation and stress resistance.

The study of the effects of auxins on potato tuberization corresponds to one of the oldest experimental systems in plant biology, which has remained relevant for over 70 years. However, only recently, in the postgenomic era, the role of auxin in tuber formation and other vital processes in potatoes has begun to emerge. This review describes the main results obtained over the entire period of auxin-potato research, including the effects of exogenous auxin; the content and dynamics of endogenous auxins; the effects of manipulating endogenous auxin content; the molecular mechanisms of auxin signaling, transport and inactivation; the role and position of auxin among other tuberigenic factors; the effects of auxin on tuber dormancy; the prospects for auxin use in potato biotechnology. Special attention is paid to recent insights into auxin function in potato tuberization and stress resistance. Taken together, the data discussed here leave no doubt on the important role of auxin in potato tuberization, particularly in the processes of tuber initiation, growth and sprouting. A new integrative model for the stage-dependent auxin action on tuberization is presented. In addition, auxin is shown to differentially affects the potato resistance to biotrophic and necrotrophic biopathogens. Thus, the modern auxin biology opens up new perspectives for further biotechnological improvement of potato crops.

Cytokinin perception in potato: new features of canonical players.

Potato is the most economically important non-cereal food crop. Tuber formation in potato is regulated by phytohormones, cytokinins (CKs) in particular. The present work studied CK signal perception in potato. The sequenced potato genome of doubled monoploid Phureja was used for bioinformatic analysis and as a tool for identification of putative CK receptors from autotetraploid potato cv. Désirée. All basic elements of multistep phosphorelay required for CK signal transduction were identified in the Phureja genome, including three genes orthologous to three CK receptor genes (AHK 2-4) of Arabidopsis. As distinct from Phureja, autotetraploid potato contains at least two allelic isoforms of each receptor type. Putative receptor genes from Désirée plants were cloned, sequenced and expressed, and the main characteristics of encoded proteins were determined, in particular their consensus motifs, modelled structure, ligand-binding properties, and ability to transmit CK signals. In all studied aspects the predicted sensor histidine kinases met the requirements for genuine CK receptors. Expression of potato CK receptors was found to be organ-specific and sensitive to growth conditions, particularly to sucrose content. Our results provide a solid basis for further in-depth study of CK signaling system and biotechnological improvement of potato.

Cytokinin activity of N6-benzyladenine derivatives assayed by interaction with the receptors in planta, in vitro, and in silico.

Biological effects of hormones in both plants and animals are based on high-affinity interaction with cognate receptors resulting in their activation. The signal of cytokinins, classical plant hormones, is perceived in Arabidopsis by three homologous membrane receptors: AHK2, AHK3, and CRE1/AHK4. To study the cytokinin-receptor interaction, we used 25 derivatives of potent cytokinin N6-benzyladenine (BA) with substituents in the purine heterocycle and/or in the side chain. The study was focused primarily on individual cytokinin receptors from Arabidopsis. The main in planta assay system was based on Arabidopsis double mutants retaining only one isoform of cytokinin receptors and harboring cytokinin-sensitive reporter gene. Classical cytokinin biotest with Amaranthus seedlings was used as an additional biotest. In parallel, the binding of ligands to individual cytokinin receptors was assessed in the in vitro test system. Quantitative comparison of results of different assays confirmed the partial similarity of ligand-binding properties of receptor isoforms. Substituents at positions 8 and 9 of adenine moiety, elongated linker up to 4 methylene units, and replacement of N6 by sulfur or oxygen have resulted in the suppression of cytokinin activity of the derivative toward all receptors. Introduction of a halogen into position 2 of adenine moiety, on the contrary, often increased the ligand activity, especially toward AHK3. Features both common and distinctive of cytokinin receptors in Arabidopsis and Amaranthus were revealed, highlighting species specificity of the cytokinin perception apparatus. Correlations between the extent to which a compound binds to a receptor in vitro and its ability to activate the same receptor in planta were evaluated for each AHK protein. Interaction patterns between individual receptors and ligands were rationalized by structure analysis and molecular docking in sensory modules of AHK receptors. The best correlation between docking scores and specific binding was observed for AHK3. In addition, receptor-specific ligands have been discovered with unique properties to predominantly activate or block distinct cytokinin receptors. These ligands are promising for practical application and as molecular tools in the study of the cytokinin perception by plant cells.

Cytokinin signaling: from the ER or from the PM? That is the question!

Content Summary 47 I. Introduction 47 II. Historical outline 48 III. Recent developments 49 IV. Towards an integrative concept for cytokinin receptor signaling 54 Acknowledgements 57 References 57 SUMMARY: Cytokinin signaling plays an important role in plant growth and development, and therefore its molecular characteristics are under extensive study. One characteristic is the subcellular localization of cytokinin signal initiation. This localization determines both the pathway for hormone delivery to the receptor, as well as molecular aspects of signal transfer to the primary cellular targets. Subcellular sites for the onset of cytokinin signaling are still uncertain and experimental data are in part controversial. A few years ago, cytokinin receptors were shown to be localized predominantly in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and to possess some features, such as their pH activity profile, typical for intracellular proteins. Very recently, new data corroborating the functionality of ER-located cytokinin receptors were reported. However, other work argued for cytokinin perception to occur at the plasma membrane (PM). Here, we discuss in detail these partially conflicting data and present an integrative model for cytokinin perception and signaling. In our opinion, the prevailing evidence argues for the ER being the predominant site of cytokinin signal perception but also that signal initiation at the PM might be relevant in some circumstances as well. The roles of these pathways in long-distance, paracrine and autocrine cytokinin signaling are discussed.

Studies of cytokinin receptor-phosphotransmitter interaction provide evidences for the initiation of cytokinin signalling in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Cytokinin receptors were shown recently to be localised mainly to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER); however, the activity of ER-located receptors was not proven. We have therefore tested the functionality of ER-located Arabidopsis receptors. The first step of cytokinin signal transduction is the transfer of a phosphoryl group from the activated receptor to a phosphotransfer protein. To determine the subcellular localisation of receptor-phosphotransmitter interaction in planta, BiFC experiments were performed. Receptors ARABIDOPSIS HISTIDINE KINASE 2 (AHK2), AHK3 and AHK4 (CRE1) and phosphotransmitters ARABIDOPSIS HISTIDINE-CONTAINING PHOSPHOTRANSMITTER 1 (AHP1), AHP2 and AHP3 fused to split-eYFP were transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Receptor-phosphotransmitter pairs were shown to interact in every possible combination in a pattern reflecting the ER. Receptor dimers, an active form of the receptors, were also detected in the ER. According to BiFC and protease protection data, the catalytic part of AHK3 was located in the cytoplasm whereas the hormone binding module faced the ER lumen. This topology is consistent with receptor signalling from the ER membrane. Finally, the functionality of receptors in different membrane fractions was tested using an in vitro kinase assay visualising the phosphorylation of phosphotransfer proteins. The detected cytokinin-dependent phosphotransfer activity was confined mainly to the ER-enriched fraction. Collectively, our data demonstrate that ER-located cytokinin receptors are active in cytokinin signal transduction. Hence, intracellular cytokinins appear to play an essential role in cytokinin signalling. An updated model for the spatial organisation of cytokinin transport form activation, intracellular trafficking and signalling from the ER is proposed.

Auxin synthesis gene tms1 driven by tuber-specific promoter alters hormonal status of transgenic potato plants and their responses to exogenous phytohormones.

KEY MESSAGE: Ectopic auxin overproduction in transgenic potato leads to enhanced productivity accompanied with concerted and occasional changes in hormonal status, and causing altered response of transformants to exogenous auxin or cytokinin. Previously, we generated potato transformants expressing Agrobacterium-derived auxin synthesis gene tms1 driven by tuber-specific patatin gene promoter (B33-promoter). Here, we studied the endogenous hormonal status and the response to exogenous phytohormones in tms1 transformants cultured in vitro. Adding indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or kinetin to culture medium affected differently tuberization of tms1-transformed and control plants, depending also on sucrose content in the medium. Exogenous phytohormones ceased to stimulate the tuber initiation in transformants at high (5-8%) sucrose concentration, while in control plants the stimulation was observed in all experimental settings. Furthermore, exogenous auxin partly inhibited the tuber initiation, and exogenous cytokinin reduced the average tuber weight in most transformants at high sucrose content. The elevated auxin level in tubers of the transformants was accompanied with a decrease in content of cytokinin bases and their ribosides in tubers and most shoots. No concerted changes in contents of abscisic, jasmonic, salicylic acids and gibberellins in tubers were detected. The data on hormonal status indicated that the enhanced productivity of tms1 transformants was due to auxin and not mediated by other phytohormones. In addition, exogenous cytokinin was shown to upregulate the expression of genes encoding orthologs of auxin receptors. Overall, the results showed that tms1 expression and local increase in IAA level in transformants affect both the balance of endogenous cytokinins and the dynamics of tuberization in response to exogenous hormones (auxin, cytokinin), the latter reaction depending also on the carbohydrate supply. We introduce a basic model for the hormonal network controlling tuberization.

Plant membrane assays with cytokinin receptors underpin the unique role of free cytokinin bases as biologically active ligands.

Cytokinin receptors play a key role in cytokinin-dependent processes regulating plant growth, development, and adaptation; therefore, the functional properties of these receptors are of great importance. Previously the properties of cytokinin receptors were investigated in heterologous assay systems using unicellular microorganisms, mainly bacteria, expressing receptor proteins. However, within microorganisms receptors reside in an alien environment that might distort the receptor properties. Therefore, a new assay system has been developed allowing studies of individual receptors within plant membranes (i.e. closer to their natural environment). The main ligand-binding characteristics of receptors from Arabidopsis [AHK2, AHK3, and AHK4] and maize (ZmHK1) were refined in this new system, and the properties of full-length Arabidopsis receptor AHK2 were characterized for the first time. Ligand specificity profiles of receptors towards cytokinin bases were comparable with the profiles retrieved in bacterial assay systems. In contrast, cytokinin-9-ribosides displayed a strongly reduced affinity for receptors in the plant assay system, indicating that ribosides as the common transport form of cytokinins have no or very weak cytokinin activity. This underpins the central role of free bases as the sole biologically active cytokinin compounds. According to molecular modelling and docking studies, N (9)-ribosylation alters the bonding pattern in cytokinin-receptor interaction and prevents ß6-ß7 loop movement important for tight hormone binding. A common feature of all receptors was a greatly reduced ligand binding at low (5.0-5.5) pH. The particularly high sensitivity of ZmHK1 to pH changes leads to the suggestion that some cytokinin receptors may play an additional role as pH sensors in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Structural basis for cytokinin receptor signaling: an evolutionary approach.

Cytokinins are ubiquitous plant hormones; their signal is perceived by sensor histidine kinases-cytokinin receptors. This review focuses on recent advances on cytokinin receptor structure, in particular sensing module and adjacent domains which play an important role in hormone recognition, signal transduction and receptor subcellular localization. Principles of cytokinin binding site organization and point mutations affecting signaling are discussed. To date, more than 100 putative cytokinin receptor genes from different plant species were revealed due to the total genome sequencing. This allowed us to employ an evolutionary and bioinformatics approaches to clarify some new aspects of receptor structure and function. Non-transmembrane areas adjacent to the ligand-binding CHASE domain were characterized in detail and new conserved protein motifs were recovered. Putative mechanisms for cytokinin-triggered receptor activation were suggested.

Ligand-binding properties and subcellular localization of maize cytokinin receptors.

The ligand-binding properties of the maize (Zea mays L.) cytokinin receptors ZmHK1, ZmHK2, and ZmHK3a have been characterized using cytokinin binding assays with living cells or membrane fractions. According to affinity measurements, ZmHK1 preferred N(6)-(Δ(2)-isopentenyl)adenine (iP) and had nearly equal affinities to trans-zeatin (tZ) and cis-zeatin (cZ). ZmHK2 preferred tZ and iP to cZ, while ZmHK3a preferred iP. Only ZmHK2 had a high affinity to dihydrozeatin (DZ). Analysis of subcellular fractions from leaves and roots of maize seedlings revealed specific binding of tZ in the microsome fraction but not in chloroplasts or mitochondria. In competitive binding assays with microsomes, tZ and iP were potent competitors of [(3)H]tZ while cZ demonstrated significantly lower affinity; adenine was almost ineffective. The binding specificities of microsomes from leaf and root cells for cytokinins were consistent with the expression pattern of the ZmHKs and our results on individual receptor properties. Aqueous two-phase partitioning and sucrose density-gradient centrifugation followed by immunological detection with monoclonal antibody showed that ZmHK1 was associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This was corroborated by observations of the subcellular localization of ZmHK1 fusions with green fluorescent protein in maize protoplasts. All these data strongly suggest that at least a part of cytokinin perception occurs in the ER.

The cytokinin receptors of Arabidopsis are located mainly to the endoplasmic reticulum.

The plant hormone cytokinin is perceived by membrane-located sensor histidine kinases. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) possesses three cytokinin receptors: ARABIDOPSIS HISTIDINE KINASE2 (AHK2), AHK3, and CYTOKININ RESPONSE1/AHK4. The current model predicts perception of the cytokinin signal at the plasma membrane. However, cytokinin-binding studies with membrane fractions separated by two-phase partitioning showed that in the wild type, as well as in mutants retaining only single cytokinin receptors, the major part of specific cytokinin binding was associated with endomembranes. Leaf epidermal cells of tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) expressing receptor-green fluorescent protein fusion proteins and bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis showed strong fluorescence of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network for all three receptors. Furthermore, separation of the microsomal fraction of Arabidopsis plants expressing Myc-tagged AHK2 and AHK3 receptors by sucrose gradient centrifugation followed by immunoblotting displayed the Mg²âº-dependent density shift typical of ER membrane proteins. Cytokinin-binding assays, fluorescent fusion proteins, and biochemical fractionation all showed that the large majority of cytokinin receptors are localized to the ER, suggesting a central role of this compartment in cytokinin signaling. A modified model for cytokinin signaling is proposed.

The specificity of cytokinin signalling in Arabidopsis thaliana is mediated by differing ligand affinities and expression profiles of the receptors.

Arabidopsis thaliana has three membrane-located cytokinin receptors (AHK2, AHK3 and CRE1/AHK4), which are sensor histidine kinases containing a ligand-binding CHASE domain. Despite their structural similarity the role of these receptors differs in planta. Here we have explored which parameters contribute to signal specification. In a bacterial assay, the CHASE domain of AHK2 has a similar ligand binding spectrum as CRE1/AHK4. It shows the highest affinity for isopentenyladenine (iP) and trans-zeatin (tZ) with an apparent K(D) of 1.4 and 4.0 nm, respectively. Real-time PCR analysis of cytokinin primary response genes in double mutants retaining only single receptors revealed that all receptors are activated in planta by cytokinin concentrations in the low nanomolar range. However, there are differences in sensitivity towards the principal cytokinins iP and tZ. The activation of the cytokinin-sensitive P(ARR5) :GUS reporter gene in three different double mutants shows specific, but also overlapping, spatial domains of activity, which were for all receptors predominantly in the shoot apical meristems and root cap columella. AHK2 and AHK3 signal specifically in leaf parenchyma cells, AHK3 in stomata cells, and CRE1/AHK4 in the root vasculature. Promoter-swap experiments demonstrate that CRE1/AHK4 can functionally replace AHK2 but not AHK3. However, the cytoplasmic AHK3 histidine kinase (Hk) domain can be replaced by the CRE1/AHK4 Hk domain, which suggests that functionality is mediated in this case by the extracytosolic domain. Together, the data show that both differential gene expression and ligand preference contribute to specify the receptor activity.