Effects of benzylaminopurine and irradiance on cytokinin contents, α-tubulin gene expression and cucumber cotyledon expansion

Abstract

The fluctuation of endogenous cytokinins was determined in the excised cucumber (Cucumis sativa L.) cotyledons incubated with benzylaminopurine (BA) under irradiance or in darkness. The data indicated that light stimulated the cotyledon expansion compared with dark and BA further enhanced the expansion of cotyledons. However, only BA treatment markedly increased the contents of endogenous cytokinins and induced α-tubulin gene expression. Actinomycin D, a well-known inhibitor of gene transcription, strongly inhibited both light-and BA-induced cotyledon expansions and increase of endogenous cytokinin contents and α-tubulin gene expression. Colchicine, an antimicrotubular reagent, partially inhibited the cotyledon expansion without affecting the cytokinin contents.