Cytokinin activity ofN6-benzyladenine derivatives assayed by interaction with the receptorsin planta, in vitro, andin silico

Abstract

AbstractBiological effects of hormones in both plants and animals are based on high-affrnity interaction with cognate receptors resulting in their activation. The signal of cytokinins, classical plant hormones, is perceived inArabidopsisby three homologous membrane receptors: AHK2, AHK3, and CRE1/AHK4. To study the cytokinin–receptor interaction, we used 25 derivatives of potent cytokininN6-benzyladenine (BA) with substituents in the purine heterocycle and/or in the side chain. The study was focused primarily on individual cytokinin receptors fromArabidopsis. The mainin plantaassay system was based onArabidopsisdouble mutants retaining only one isoform of cytokinin receptors and harboring cytokinin-sensitive reporter gene. Classical cytokinin biotest withAmaranthusseedlings was used as an additional biotest. In parallel, the binding of ligands to individual cytokinin receptors was assessed in thein vitrotest 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, replacement ofN6by sulfur or oxygen, resulted in suppression of cytokinin activity of the derivative towards 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 inArabidopsisandAmaranthuswere revealed, highlighting species specificity of the cytokinin perception apparatus. Correlations between extent of compound binding to a receptorin vitroand its ability to activate the same receptorin plantawere 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.Graphical abstractIndividual cytokinin receptors fromArabidopsiswere assayedin planta,in vitroandin silicowith 25 different 6-benzyladenine derivatives, new receptor-specific cytokinins were revealed.