CHASEing Cytokinin Receptors in Plants, Bacteria, Fungi, and Beyond

Abstract

Cytokinin (CK) signaling pathways were believed to be restricted to terrestrial plants. However, the identification of CK receptor homologs in phytopathogenic bacteria, cyanobacteria, and early diverging fungi has recently been reported. CK signaling in prokaryotic and non-plant eukaryotic organisms sheds new light on the dissemination and evolution of this hormone.

Keywords: amoebae; bacteria; cell signaling; cytokinins; fungi; plants.