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Research article2007Peer reviewed

Expression of a human tRNA isopentenyltransferase in tobacco reveals a developmental role for tRNA isopentenyladenosine

Golovko A, Sitbon F, Tillberg E, Nicander B

Abstract

In addition to their role as plant hormones, cytokinins are also found as structural components in tRNA. Six different tRNA cytokinins have been found in plants, but most other organisms, including humans, have only one isopentenyladenosine. In an attempt to probe if the different forms have different functionality, we attempted to alter tRNA cytokinin composition by expressing the human tRNA isopentenyltransferase gene (EC 5.1.2.8) in tobacco [Nicotiana tabacum (L.) cv. Wisconsin 38]. The resulting transgenics had similar to 40% more isopentenyladenosine in tRNA, and an altered phenotype characterised by reduced internode length, increased stem diameter and rigidity, greener leaves, increased axillary bud outgrowth, abnormal flower morphology, and reduced seed viability. The levels of the two other major isoprene adenines of tRNA, cis-zeatin and 2-methyltiolated cis-zeatin, were also increased, but to a lower degree. Nearly all of the increase in isopentenyladenosine was in a single tRNA species. Two quantitatively minor isopentenyladenosine-containing tRNAs had also increased strongly. IPPT: Dimethylallylpyrophosphate

Published in

Functional Plant Biology
2007, volume: 34, number: 7, pages: 654-661
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science
Landscape Architecture
Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/FP07004

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/15561