Research Progress in Seed Development, Dormancy and Germination Regulated by Cytokinin

doi:10.11983/CBB20141

Abstract

Abstract: Seed germination is an important stage in the establishment, growth and propagation of plants, and plays a critical role in the life cycle of seed plants. Seed dormancy is formed during development, and reaches its peak at physiological maturity. The phytohormone regulation of seed dormancy and germination may be a highly conserved mechanism in seed plants. Cytokinin (CK) is one of the most important signal molecules in plants, and regulates many aspects of plant growth and development. The bioactive CK levels are controlled by a balance among biosynthesis, activation, deactivation, re-activation and degradation, and seed development, dormancy and germination are regulated by bioactive CK levels and signaling pathways. Here, we mainly summarize the research progresses of CK biosynthesis and catabolism, signaling, and regulation on seed development, dormancy and germination. In addition, we also propose some scientific questions that need further addressed in this field to provide some information for understanding the molecular mechanism of seed development, dormancy and germination regulated by CK.

Key words: cytokinin, metabolism, molecular mechanism, seed dormancy and germination, signaling

Songquan Song, Jun Liu, Hua Yang, Wenhu Zhang, Qi Zhang, Jiadong Gao. Research Progress in Seed Development, Dormancy and Germination Regulated by Cytokinin[J]. Chinese Bulletin of Botany, 2021, 56(2): 218-231.

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URL: https://www.chinbullbotany.com/EN/10.11983/CBB20141

https://www.chinbullbotany.com/EN/Y2021/V56/I2/218

Figures/Tables 3

Figure 1 A model of cytokinin (CK) metabolism and signaling transduction (modified from Kieber and Schaller, 2018; Zubo and Schaller, 2020) Ade: Adenine; ADP: Adenosine diphosphate; AMP: Adenosine monophosphate; ATP: Adenosine triphosphate; CKX: CK oxidase/dehydrogenase; CYP735A: Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase; cZOG: cis-Zeatin-O-glucosyltransferase; DMAPP: Dimethylallyl diphosphate; HK: Histidin (His) kinase; HP: His phosphotransfer protein; IPT: Isopentenyltransferase; LOG: CK nucleoside 5′-monophosphate phosphoribohydrolase; SC: Sidechain; Type-B RRs: Type-B response regulators; Type-A RRs: Type-A response regulators; UGT: UDP glycosyltransferase

Figure 2 Intermolecular interactions in the cytokinin signaling pathway (modified from Lomin et al. 2018; Arkhipov et al. 2019) Cytokinin signaling is perceived by membrane-localized Histidine (His) kinase receptors and is transduced to nucleus through a His phosphotransfer protein to activate a family of transcription factors in the nucleus. CK: Cytokinin; ATP: Adenosine triphosphate; ADP: Adenosine diphosphate; P: Phosphate; D: Conserved Aspartate; H: Conserved His; DI: Dimerization interface domain of the sensor module; PAS and PAS-like: Subdomains of the CHASE domain of the sensor module; TM1 and TM2: Transmembrane domain 1 and 2; HisKA (DHpD): His kinase A domain (dimerization and His phosphotransfer domain); H-ATPase (CAD): Adenosine triphosphatase domain (catalytic and ATP-binding domain); REC-like: Receiver-like domain; REC: Receiver domain; HPt: His-containing phosphotransfer protein (phosphotransmitter); RR-B: Type B response regulator (transcription factor). Protein-protein interactions (PPI) are indicated by a red dotted line.

Figure 3 The model of the change of proteins (enzymes) involved in cytokinin (CK) metabolism and signaling components during seed development and germination (modified from Jameson et al. 2016; Tuan et al. 2019; Nguyen et al. 2020) IPT: Isopentenyltransferase; LOG: CK nucleoside 5′-monophosphate phosphoribohydrolase; CKX: CK oxidase/ dehydrogenase; HK: Histidin (His) kinase; HP: His phosphotransfer protein; Type-B RRs: Type-B response regulators; Type-A RRs: Type-A response regulators

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