Intracellular phosphorylation of benzyladenosine is related to apoptosis induction in tobacco BY-2 cells

Mlejnek, P.; Doležel, Jaroslav; Procházka, S.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT 26 [10]: 1723-1735, 2003

Keywords: adenosine 5'-triphosphate; cytokinin; N6-benzyladenine 9-riboside
Abstract: Treatment of tobacco BY-2 cells with micromolar concentration of benzyladenosine ([9R]BA) resulted in the loss of cell viability in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Cell death induced by [9R]BA exhibited typical apoptotic hallmarks including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation and degradation of nuclear DNA to characteristic high molecular weight (HMW) as well as nucleosomal size fragments. Externally added [9R]BA was very rapidly and almost quantitatively phosphorylated within BY-2 cells. Accumulation of [9R]BA-monophosphate was accompanied by massive production of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular ATP depletion, and these events were followed by the loss of cell viability. Inhibition of intracellular phosphorylation of [9R]BA by adenosin kinase inhibitor, 5'-amino-5'-deoxyadenosine (AdAs), diminished ROS production, ATP depletion, and consequently prevented cells from death.
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IEB authors: Jaroslav Doležel