Hong Wei, Zhisen Yang, Huihui Liu, Wei Ying, Yongxiang Gao, Lizhe Zhu, Xin Liu, Linfeng Sun
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Cytokinins are adenine derivatives serving as phytohormones, which are essential regulators of plant growth, development, and response to environmental factors. The transport process of cytokinins determines their spatial distributions and is critical to their functions. The AZA-GUANINE RESISTANT (AZG) family member AZG2 in Arabidopsis thaliana has been identified as a cytokinin and purine transporter. Here, we characterize the binding and transport of AZG2 towards the natural cytokinin, trans-zeatin (tZ), as well as adenine. AZG2 structures are determined in both the substrate-unbound, adenine-bound, and tZ-bound states, under both acidic and neutral pH. Key residues involved in substrate binding are identified. Two distinct conformations are observed in the tZ-bound state of AZG2 in the neutral pH. Structural analysis reveals the structural dynamics of AZG2 during cytokinin transport, which fit into the elevator-type transport model. These results provide insights into the molecular mechanism of cytokinin transport in plants.
期刊介绍：
Nature Communications, an open-access journal, publishes high-quality research spanning all areas of the natural sciences. Papers featured in the journal showcase significant advances relevant to specialists in each respective field. With a 2-year impact factor of 16.6 (2022) and a median time of 8 days from submission to the first editorial decision, Nature Communications is committed to rapid dissemination of research findings. As a multidisciplinary journal, it welcomes contributions from biological, health, physical, chemical, Earth, social, mathematical, applied, and engineering sciences, aiming to highlight important breakthroughs within each domain.
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