[Molecular identification of cytokinin-specific binding protein]

Synthetic phenylurea derivatives such as N-phenyl-N'-(4-pyridyl)urea (4PU) and N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea (4PU30) have strong cytokinin activities. Using tritiated 4PU30 as a probe, we found the presence of a cytokinin-specific binding protein (CSBP) with high affinity for 4PU30 (Ka for 4PU30 = 4 x 10(10) M-1) in the soluble fraction of etiolated mung bean seedlings. We purified CSBP by the use of 4PU-Sepharose 4B, an affinity gel ligated with 4PU. Analysis of its cDNA revealed that CSBP was a novel member of a major pollen allergen/pathogenesis-related protein family with a calculated molecular weight of 17 kDa. Recombinant CSBP was expressed in Escherichia coli was confirmed to bind specifically to cytokinins.