Characterization of an Arabidopsis Gene that Mediates Cytokinin Signaling in Shoot Apical Meristem Development

Cytokinins are adenine derivatives that regulate numerous plant growth and developmental processes, including apical and floral meristem development, stem growth, leaf senescence, apical dominance, and stress tolerance. However, not much is known about how cytokinin biosynthesis and metabolism is regulated. We identified a novel Arabidopsis gene, ALL, encoding an aldolase-like enzyme that regulates cytokinin signaling. An Arabidopsis mutant, all-1D, in which ALL is activated by the nearby insertion of the 35S enhancer, exhibited extreme dwarfism with rolled, dark-green leaves and reduced apical dominance, symptomatic of cytokinin-overproducing mutants. Consistent with this, ARR4 and ARR5, two representative primary cytokinin-responsive genes, were significantly induced in all-1D.