Novel Cytokinin Derivatives Do Not Show Negative Effects on Root Growth and Proliferation in Submicromolar Range

BACKGROUND: When applied to a nutrition solution or agar media, the non-substituted aromatic cytokinins caused thickening and shortening of the primary root, had an inhibitory effect on lateral root branching, and even showed some negative effects on development of the aerial part at as low as a 10 nanomolar concentration. Novel analogues of aromatic cytokinins ranking among topolins substituted on N9-atom of adenine by tetrahydropyranyl or 4-chlorobutyl group have been prepared and tested in standardized cytokinin bioassays [1]. Those showing comparable activities with N(6)-benzylaminopurine were further tested in planta. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The main aim of the study was to explain molecular mechanism of function of novel cytokinin derivatives on plant development. Precise quantification of cytokinin content and profiling of genes involved in cytokinin metabolism and perception in treated plants revealed several aspects of different action of m-methoxytopolin base and its substituted derivative on plant development. In contrast to standard cytokinins, N9- tetrahydropyranyl derivative of m-topolin and its methoxy-counterpart showed the negative effects on root development only at three orders of magnitude higher concentrations. Moreover, the methoxy-derivative demonstrates a positive effect on lateral root branching and leaf emerging in a nanomolar range of concentrations, in comparison with untreated plants. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Tetrahydropyranyl substitution at N9-position of cytokinin purine ring significantly enhances acropetal transport of a given cytokinins. Together with the methoxy-substitution, impedes accumulation of non-active cytokinin glucoside forms in roots, allows gradual release of the active base, and has a significant effect on the distribution and amount of endogenous isoprenoid cytokinins in different plant tissues. The utilization of novel aromatic cytokinin derivatives can distinctively improve expected hormonal effects in plant propagation techniques in the future

Vicariance and dispersal in southern hemisphere freshwater fish clades: a palaeontological perspective

Widespread fish clades that occur mainly or exclusively in fresh water represent a key target of biogeographical investigation due to limited potential for crossing marine barriers. Timescales for the origin and diversification of these groups are crucial tests of vicariant scenarios in which continental break‐ups shaped modern geographic distributions. Evolutionary chronologies are commonly estimated through node‐based palaeontological calibration of molecular phylogenies, but this approach ignores most of the temporal information encoded in the known fossil record of a given taxon. Here, we review the fossil record of freshwater fish clades with a distribution encompassing disjunct landmasses in the southern hemisphere. Palaeontologically derived temporal and geographic data were used to infer the plausible biogeographic processes that shaped the distribution of these clades. For seven extant clades with a relatively well‐known fossil record, we used the stratigraphic distribution of their fossils to estimate confidence intervals on their times of origin. To do this, we employed a Bayesian framework that considers non‐uniform preservation potential of freshwater fish fossils through time, as well as uncertainty in the absolute age of fossil horizons. We provide the following estimates for the origin times of these clades: Lepidosireniformes [125–95 million years ago (Ma)]; total‐group Osteoglossomorpha (207–167 Ma); Characiformes (120–95 Ma; a younger estimate of 97–75 Ma when controversial Cenomanian fossils are excluded); Galaxiidae (235–21 Ma); Cyprinodontiformes (80–67 Ma); Channidae (79–43 Ma); Percichthyidae (127–69 Ma). These dates are mostly congruent with published molecular timetree estimates, despite the use of semi‐independent data. Our reassessment of the biogeographic history of southern hemisphere freshwater fishes shows that long‐distance dispersals and regional extinctions can confound and erode pre‐existing vicariance‐driven patterns. It is probable that disjunct distributions in many extant groups result from complex biogeographic processes that took place during the Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic. Although long‐distance dispersals likely shaped the distributions of several freshwater fish clades, their exact mechanisms and their impact on broader macroevolutionary and ecological dynamics are still unclear and require further investigation.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148368/1/brv12473_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148368/2/brv12473.pd

Reconstruction of the unusual Middle Miocene (Badenian) palaeoenvironment of the Carpathian Foredeep (Lomnice/Tišnov denudational relict, Czech Republic)

Multiproxy sedimentological, gamma-spectrometric, foraminiferal, calcareous nannoplankton, and otolith data were used for the reconstruction of the Badenian (Middle Miocene) history of the Moravian part of the Carpathian Foredeep. The study material originated from the new borehole LOM-1, which drilled >20 metres of monotonous clayey siltstones with exceptionally rich and well-preserved microfossil assemblages. Distal parts of the Carpathian Foredeep (a forebulge depozone) are exposed in this succession. Generally, a quiet environment of outer shelf to upper bathyal of monotonous clayey silts was interpreted, which is typical for the proximal parts of a peripheral foreland basin. The section studied can be subdivided into six intervals, confirming the cyclical character of Middle Miocene sedimentation in the Central Paratethys. Interannual oscillations of nutrient content, temperature and/or salinity are interpreted based on the oscillations of geochemical as well as palaeobiological data. The turnover connected with the initiation of the Middle Miocene Climatic Transition is recorded above the LO (last occurrence) of Helicosphaera waltrans in agreement with previous observations in the Carpathian Foredeep. The changes include cooling, a decrease in nutrients, a probable increase of the salinity of surface water, and increase of seasonality. Seasonality was manifested by an alternation of mixed and stratified water columns with a seasonal input of nutrients. Concerning nutrients, sources of seasonal riverine input or seasonal upwelling are both possible

The earliest Badenian Planostegina bloom deposit : reflection of an unusual environment in the westernmost Carpathian Foredeep (Czech Republic)

The Miocene sedimentation history of the Brus denudation relict (the western part of the Carpathian Foredeep, Czech Republic) has been inferred from 20 m of silt/siltstones, sand/sandstones and limestones penetrated by the Brus-1 borehole. Detailed multiproxy lithofacies and biofacies analyses have allowed facies and palaeoenvironment interpretations. The presence of molluscs, brachiopods and fish fauna, as well as large benthic and epiphytic foraminifera indicates a generally shallow, subtropical, marine environment. Despite the scarcity of biostratigraphical markers, the section can be correlated with the lowermost Badenian (~15-16 Ma). In the siltstones in the lower part of the borehole, there are abundant low-salinity foraminifera, which may indicate increased rainfall. Linked to this is the nutrient enrichment of the sea bottom water inferred from the presence of the high-nutrient taxa accompanied by abundant calcareous nannoplankton eutrophic taxa such as Coccolithus pelagicus and eutrophic planktonic foraminifera of the Globigerina bulloides/praebulloides group. The main Planostegina bloom was recorded in a sandstone in the interval 12.5-7 m, and was not influenced by a shift from high-organic content Valvulineria assemblage of small foraminifera to an epiphytic one. The boundary between siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentation (-7.5 m) shows a drop in K and Th concentrations, and in the Th/U ratio, but a rise in the Th/K ratio. This change in radioactive element content may generally indicate a significant decrease in terrestrial sediment input which is further supported by the onset of limestone deposition. Reversal of the deposition regime and a decrease of clastic input into the basin may be related to the changing of the precipitation regime, probably triggered by orbitally-forced cyclicity

The earliest Badenian Planostegina bloom deposit: reflection of an unusual environment in the westernmost Carpathian Foredeep (Czech Republic)

The Miocene sedimentation history of the Brus denudation relict (the western part of the Carpathian Foredeep, Czech Republic) has been inferred from 20 m of silt/siltstones, sand/sandstones and limestones penetrated by the Brus-1 borehole. Detailed multiproxy lithofacies and biofacies analyses have allowed facies and palaeoenvironment interpretations. The presence of molluscs, brachiopods and fish fauna, as well as large benthic and epiphytic foraminifera indicates a generally shallow, subtropical, marine environment. Despite the scarcity of biostratigraphical markers, the section can be correlated with the lowermost Badenian (~15-16 Ma). In the siltstones in the lower part of the borehole, there are abundant low-salinity foraminifera, which may indicate increased rainfall. Linked to this is the nutrient enrichment of the sea bottom water inferred from the presence of the high-nutrient taxa accompanied by abundant calcareous nannoplankton eutrophic taxa such as Coccolithus pelagicus and eutrophic planktonic foraminifera of the Globigerina bulloides/praebulloides group. The main Planostegina bloom was recorded in a sandstone in the interval 12.5-7 m, and was not influenced by a shift from high-organic content Valvulineria assemblage of small foraminifera to an epiphytic one. The boundary between siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentation (-7.5 m) shows a drop in K and Th concentrations, and in the Th/U ratio, but a rise in the Th/K ratio. This change in radioactive element content may generally indicate a significant decrease in terrestrial sediment input which is further supported by the onset of limestone deposition. Reversal of the deposition regime and a decrease of clastic input into the basin may be related to the changing of the precipitation regime, probably triggered by orbitally-forced cyclicity