Cytokinins: Biosynthesis metabolism and perception

• DOI: 10.1007/s11627-000-0021-7
• Publication Date: 2007-02-13T09:06:54Z
• Authors: Machteld C. Mok; Ruth C. Martin; David W. S. Mok
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 01 natural sciences

Cytokinins are essential hormones for plant growth and development. They are also of vital importance for in vitro manipulations of plant cells and tissues. The biological activities and chemistry of cytokinins are well defined but very little is known about their mode of action and it is only recently that cytokinin genes have been identified in plants. This review summarizes the current status of knowledge on cytokinin biosynthesis, metabolism and signal transduction, with an emphasis on genes encoding metabolic enzymes and putative receptors, and genes rapidly induced by cytokinins.