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The mitotic inducer gene from Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Spcdc25, was used as a tool to investigate regulation of G2/M in higher plants using the BY-2 ( Nicotiana tabacum) cell line as a model. Spcdc25-expressing BY-2 cells exhibited a reduced mitotic cell size through a shortening of the G2 phase. The cells often formed isodiametric double files both in BY-2 cells and in cell suspensions derived from 35S:: Spcdc25 tobacco plants. In Spcdc25-expressing cells, the tobacco cyclin-dependent kinase, NtCDKB1, showed high activity in early S phase, S/G2 and early M phase, whereas in empty vector cells CDKB1 activity was transiently high in early S phase but thereafter remained lower. Spcdc25-expressing cells also bypassed a block on G2/M imposed by the cytokinin biosynthetic inhibitor lovastatin (LVS). Surprisingly, cytokinins were at remarkably low levels in Spcdc25-expressing cells compared with the empty vector, explaining why these cells retained mitotic competence despite the presence of LVS. In conclusion, synchronised Spcdc25-expressing BY-2 cells divided prematurely at a small cell size, and they exhibited premature, but sustained, CDKB1 activity even though endogenous cytokinins were virtually undetectable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jasmonic acid (JA) plays a crucial role in plant fertility and defense responses. It exerts an inhibitory effect on plant growth when applied exogenously. This effect seems to be somehow related to a negative regulation of cell cycle progression in the meristematic tissues. In this report, we focus on the molecular events that occur during JA-induced G2 arrest. We demonstrate that JA prevents the accumulation of B-type cyclin-dependent kinases and the expression of cyclin B1;1, which are both essential for the initiation of mitosis. This feature suggests the existence of an early G2 checkpoint that is affected by JA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Details a study which analyzed the relation between cytokinin metabolism and the organogenic activity in Rg+ and rg- Lycopersicon esculentum tomato root explants. Description of the tomato specie; Extraction and purification of cytokinins; Uptake and metabolism of radiolabelled zeatin.