AUTHOR=Aoki Megan M. , Emery R. J. Neil , Anjard Christophe , Brunetti Craig R. , Huber Robert J. 

TITLE=Cytokinins in Dictyostelia – A Unique Model for Studying the Functions of Signaling Agents From Species to Kingdoms

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2020.00511

DOI=10.3389/fcell.2020.00511

ISSN=2296-634X

ABSTRACT=<p>Cytokinins (CKs) are a diverse group of evolutionarily significant growth-regulating molecules. While the CK biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways are the most well-understood in plant systems, these molecules have been identified in all kingdoms of life. This review follows the recent discovery of an expanded CK profile in the social amoeba, <italic>Dictyostelium discoideum</italic>. A comprehensive review on the present knowledge of CK biosynthesis, signal transduction, and CK-small molecule interactions within members of Dictyostelia will be summarized. In doing so, the utility of social amoebae will be highlighted as a model system for studying the evolution of these hormone-like signaling agents, which will set the stage for future research in this area.</p>