Cytokinins in pisum transfer ribonucleic Acid

Area of Science:

• Plant Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Cytokinins are essential plant hormones regulating growth and development.
• Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a key molecule in protein synthesis and can contain modified nucleosides.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and identify cytokinin-active ribonucleosides from the tRNA of green pea shoots.
• To characterize the specific types and isomers of these compounds.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of ribonucleosides from Pisum sativum L. var. Alaska tRNA.
• Identification using ultraviolet spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.
• Separation of isomers via thin-layer chromatography.

Main Results:

• Five cytokinin-active ribonucleosides were isolated and identified.
• Identified compounds include 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9-beta-d-ribofuranosylpurine and two forms of 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9-beta-d-ribofuranosylpurine (cis- and trans-isomers).
• A fifth cytokinin was indicated by chromatographic properties.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully identified multiple cytokinin-active ribonucleosides in pea tRNA.
• These findings contribute to understanding cytokinin biosynthesis and function in plants.
• The identified compounds may influence plant growth regulation and development.