Cytokinins are plant hormones, derivatives of adenine with a side chain at the N6-position. They are involved in many physiological processes. While the metabolism of trans-zeatin and isopentenyladenine, which are considered to be highly active cytokinins, has been extensively studied, there are others with less obvious functions, such as cis-zeatin, dihydrozeatin, and aromatic cytokinins, which have been comparatively neglected. To help explain this duality, we present a novel hypothesis metaphorically comparing various cytokinin forms, enzymes of CK metabolism, and their signalling and transporter functions to the comics superheroes Hulk and Deadpool. Hulk is a powerful but short-lived creation, whilst Deadpool presents a more subtle and enduring force. With this dual framework in mind, this review compares different cytokinin metabolites, and their biosynthesis, translocation, and sensing to illustrate the different mechanisms behind the two CK strategies. This is put together and applied to a plant developmental scale and, beyond plants, to interactions with organisms of other kingdoms, to highlight where future study can benefit the understanding of plant fitness and productivity.

• Klíčová slova
• Hulk/Deadpool, aromatic cytokinins, cis-zeatin, cytokinin biosynthesis, cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase, cytokinin signalling, cytokinin transport, cytokinins, isopentenyl transferase,
• MeSH
• Arabidopsis metabolismus   MeSH
• biologické modely MeSH
• biologický transport MeSH
• biotest MeSH
• cytokininy metabolismus   MeSH
• fyziologie rostlin * MeSH
• glykosylace MeSH
• hydrolýza MeSH
• kinetika MeSH
• kinetin metabolismus   MeSH
• oxidoreduktasy metabolismus   MeSH
• regulátory růstu rostlin metabolismus   MeSH
• rostliny metabolismus   MeSH
• signální transdukce * MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• zeatin analogy a deriváty   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cytokinin oxidase MeSH Prohlížeč
• cytokininy MeSH
• dihydrozeatin MeSH Prohlížeč
• kinetin MeSH
• oxidoreduktasy MeSH
• regulátory růstu rostlin MeSH
• zeatin MeSH

It has been recognized that cytokinins are plant hormones that influence not only numerous aspects of plant growth, development and physiology, including cell division, chloroplast differentiation and delay of senescence but the interaction with other organisms, including pathogens. Cytokinins are not only produced by plants but are also by other prokaryotic and eukaryotic organism such as bacteria, fungi, microalgae and insects. Notably, cytokinins are produced both by pathogenic and also beneficial microbes and are known to induce resistance in plants against pathogen infections. In this review the contrasting role of cytokinin for the defence and susceptibility of plants against bacterial and fungal pathogen and pest insects is assessed. We also discuss the cross talk of cytokinins with other phytohormones and the underlying mechanism involved in enhancing plant immunity against pathogen infections and explore possible practical applications in crop plant production.

• Klíčová slova
• beneficial microbe, host–pathogen interaction, insect, microalgae, phytohormones, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH