title: Cytokinin sensing systems using microorganisms.
abstract: The cytokinin class of plant hormones is perceived by transmembrane His-kinases (His-kinases) of the two-component system, otherwise known as the His-Asp phosphorelay system. When cytokinin receptors perceive cytokinins, they are autophosphorylated at a conserved His residue. The phosphoryl group is then transferred to downstream components of the His-Asp phosphorelay system. When the gene for a cytokinin receptor is introduced into yeast or Escherichia coli, the corresponding receptor feeds the phosphoryl group to the phosphorelay system of the host, in a cytokinin-dependent manner. Therefore, these microorganisms can be used as convenient cytokinin sensors, and can also be used to understand the properties of cytokinin-receptors. Furthermore, they may be used to screen for cytokinin agonists and antagonists, which would potentially be useful to regulate the growth of crops.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Takayama, Ikoma, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Higuchi
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kakimoto
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mizuno
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003583:Cytokinins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003583:Cytokinins