Regulation of Cytokinin Function

Cytokinins are important plant hormones regulating many aspects of plant development. Recent studies on transgenic plants with altered cytokinin metabolism or changed signalling pathways have revealed interesting consequences of cytokinin deficiency or disruption of cytokinin perception. For example cytokinin-insensitive receptor mutants, or mutants with genetically decreased endogenous levels of cytokinins have strongly enhanced root systems and enlarged seeds. Some of these effects might have attractive applications in agriculture.

A major interest of our group is the development and testing of new inhibitors of cytokinin perception (cytokinin antagonists acting at the receptor level) and inhibitors of cytokinin biosynthesis and degradation. We are also interested in biological activity of new cytokinin derivatives and their in vivo effects.

Group Members
Lukáš Spíchal
Markéta Gemrotová
Jaroslav Nisler
Jana Klásková