Cytokinin Applications in Cancer and Aging Biology

Cytokinins are a family of adenine-derived signalling molecules first characterised as plant hormones but now recognised for diverse roles in mammalian systems. In the context of cancer and ageing biology, cytokinins have been shown to modulate cell proliferation, differentiation and survival, often by engaging adenosine receptors or key metabolic enzymes. At low concentrations, certain cytokinins protect cells from oxidative stress, support collagen synthesis in fibroblasts and promote tissue repair, whereas higher doses may induce cytotoxicity in malignant cells. Emerging evidence also highlights their capacity to inhibit viral replication, counteract pro-inflammatory states and influence the secretory profiles of ageing tissues. These multifaceted activities position cytokinins as promising leads for anti-cancer therapeutics, regenerative medicine and interventions aimed at mitigating age-related decline.

Research from Nature Portfolio

An integrated structural and functional analysis has revealed how kinetin binds selectively to human adenine phosphoribosyltransferase and the adenosine A2A receptor, elucidating the molecular basis for its pro-survival effects against oxidative damage. The study demonstrates that kinetin at sub-100 nM concentrations shields mammalian cells from reactive oxygen species without genotoxicity, while higher concentrations induce cell cycle arrest. By pinpointing key binding residues, this work lays the groundwork for rational design of cytokinin-based agents aimed at preventing oxidative stress–related pathologies, including those encountered in ageing tissues and tumour microenvironments.

Cytokinin Applications in Cancer and Aging Biology publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in cytokinin applications in cancer and aging biology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Cytokinins: Adenine-derived signalling molecules originally identified in plants but active in mammalian cells, regulating proliferation, differentiation and stress responses.

Oxidative stress: A condition arising from excess reactive oxygen species relative to antioxidant defences, implicated in cell damage during ageing and cancer.

Adenosine A2A receptor: A G-protein-coupled receptor that transduces extracellular adenosine signals and can be modulated by cytokinins to influence cell survival and inflammation.

Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT): An enzyme involved in purine salvage that binds cytokinins and mediates their intracellular activation and effects.

References

1. Human Skin Fibroblasts as an In Vitro Model Illustrating Changes in Collagen Levels and Skin Cell Migration Under the Influence of Selected Plant Hormones. Bioengineering (2024).
2. Cytokinins Reduce Viral Replication and Alter Plaque Morphology of Frog Virus 3 In Vitro. Viruses (2024).
3. Cytokinins: Wide-Spread Signaling Hormones from Plants to Humans with High Medical Potential. Nutrients (2022).
4. The Plant Hormone Cytokinin Confers Protection against Oxidative Stress in Mammalian Cells. PLOS ONE (2016).
5. Integrated structural and functional analysis of the protective effects of kinetin against oxidative stress in mammalian cellular systems. Scientific Reports (2020).
6. Profiling of adenine‐derived signaling molecules, cytokinins, in myotubes reveals fluctuations in response to lipopolysaccharide‐induced cell stress. Physiological Reports (2023).