title: Cytokinins affect spore formation but not cell division in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
abstract: Cytokinins are N6-substituted adenine derivatives that function as essential growth hormones in higher plants. In experimental systems, cytokinins can influence cell growth and differentiation among both plant and non-plant tissues. The single-celled yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has served as an effective and useful model system for the study of a wide range of cellular phenomena generally associated with higher eukaryotes, including mammals. In an attempt to assess the efficacy of its use to dissect the molecular basis for plant hormone action, the effects of cytokinins on S. cerevisiae with respect to cell division rates and sporulation efficiencies were monitored. While none of the cytokinins tested influenced mitotic generation times, micromolar concentrations of kinetin enhanced the formation of yeast haploid ascospores and even lower concentrations of isopentenyladenine inhibited ascus formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60626, USA.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Laten
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002455:Cell Division; D003583:Cytokinins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007701:Kinetin; D009154:Mutation; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013172:Spores, Fungal
chemical_list: D003583:Cytokinins; D000225:Adenine; D007701:Kinetin