Occurrence, biosynthesis and properties of kinetin (N-6-furfuryladenine)

In this paper we review the data on the structure and properties of N-6-fur furyladenine (kinetin, K) accumulated during the last forty years. In 1955, kinetin was isolated from DNA as an artifactual rearrangement product of t he autoclaving process. Subsequently, its cytokinin activity has been estab lished, demonstrating a wide variety of biological effects, including those on gene expression, inhibition of auxin action, stimulation of calcium flu x, the cell cycle, and as an anti-stress and anti-ageing compound. Recently , our views on this very well known plant hormone have changed. There are n ew data, which show that it occurs in cellular DNA as the product of oxidat ive, secondary modification and a secondary reaction of DNA. Also new resul ts on the biological function of kinetin have been reported. Various biolog ical effects produced by this hormone in vitro and in vivo have made kineti n even more scientifically interesting and commercially attractive as an in gredient of many beauty cosmetics.