kinetins

Kinetin is a cytokinin, a class of plant hormones that regulate cell division and various aspects of plant growth. It is the synthetic form N6-furfuryladenine and is one of the first cytokinins described alongside naturally occurring zeatin. In plants, kinetin can be detected in trace amounts and is also produced synthetically for experimental use.

In plant tissue culture, kinetin is used to stimulate cell division and shoot formation, often in combination with auxins to direct organ development. It also delays leaf senescence and can influence nutrient mobilization and chlorophyll retention, although its effects vary by species and tissue.

Mechanistically, cytokinins bind to specific receptors in plant cells, activating a phosphotransfer signaling pathway that alters gene expression related to the cell cycle, shoot initiation, and aging processes. The interaction with auxins helps determine whether tissues form roots, shoots, or callus.

Applications and history: kinetin has been widely used in plant tissue culture and micropropagation. It has also been studied as a potential anti-senescence agent in leaves, although practical use in agriculture for this purpose is limited. It is not approved for any medical use in humans and should be handled as a laboratory chemical with standard safety precautions.