Phytohormones are key signaling molecules that regulate plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stress. From seed germination to flowering and fruiting, and from root development to drought resistance, every stage of the plant life cycle relies on the precise regulation of these trace chemicals. A deep understanding of the mechanisms of action of phytohormones hinges on identifying their target proteins. The precise identification of phytohormone targets is a key prerequisite for elucidating plant growth regulatory networks and developing novel plant growth regulators.

Lifeasible is a leading global professional biotechnology company specializing in phytohormones. We are committed to providing end-to-end analytical services—from phenotypic screening to target validation—for novel plant hormones and structural analogs. Leveraging automated high-throughput screening and multi-omics integration technologies, we help clients rapidly identify key target genes and receptors, thereby accelerating the commercialization of agricultural biotechnology products.

What Can We Offer?

Phenotype-based High-Throughput Screening (HTS)

• Screening for unknown targets. We treat model plants with large libraries of small molecules or natural products to efficiently identify compounds or hormone analogs with specific biological activities.
• Automated phenotype quantification. Using advanced computer vision technology, we high-throughput capture and quantify key agronomic phenotypes, including root architecture development, hypocotyl elongation, flowering time, and responses to abiotic stress.
• Forward genetics mutant screening. We treat plant mutant libraries with compounds to high-throughput screen for mutants exhibiting specific traits.

Direct target identification

For highly active hormone analogs identified through screening, we directlyuse advanced proteomics and molecular interaction platforms to precisely capture and identify their direct protein interactors.

• Chemical proteomics. We design and synthesize chemical probes containing groups such as photoaffinity tags to label target proteins in situ in live cells or plant lysates, and combine this with high-resolution mass spectrometry for high-throughput, unbiased target identification.
• High-throughput yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screening. By constructing high-quality plant cDNA libraries and using well-defined hormone receptors or candidate proteins as "baits," we conduct large-scale screening to establish protein interaction networks among receptors, co-receptors, and key downstream factors.

Target validation and mechanism of action analysis

• Targeted metabolomics. We employ liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantitatively detect a wide range of endogenous plant hormones at a pan-genomic level, elucidating the effects of analogues on endogenous hormone biosynthesis and metabolic pathways.
• Targeted-modification proteomics. Using DIA or PRM mass spectrometry, we identify downstream proteins that undergo key modifications, such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination, following analog treatment, thereby comprehensively mapping hormone signaling networks.

Fig.2 Our service solution. (Lifeasible)

Our Technology Applications

• Identification of new functions. Identifying protein receptors for known plant hormones or newly synthesized hormone analogs.
• Development of novel plant growth regulators. By identifying targets, compounds that can interfere with or mimic hormone signaling pathways can be designed more rationally.
• Research on disease mechanisms. In plant pathology, this technology is used to screen for host targets of pathogen effector proteins in plants to understand the mechanisms underlying disease development.

Fig.3 Our service process. (Lifeasible)

Highlights of Our Services

• One-stop solutions. We offer end-to-end services ranging from target capture and mass spectrometry identification to bioinformatics analysis, helping our clients advance their projects efficiently.
• Accurate and reliable data. We maintain a rigorous quality control system to ensure that every data point is authentic and reproducible.
• Extensive industry experience. Our team has been deeply involved in plant hormone research for many years, accumulating extensive project experience that enables us to handle a wide range of complex samples and challenging issues.
• High-quality data delivery. We provide comprehensive, advanced, and accurate data reports and offer professional scientific consulting services tailored to clients' future research plans.

Lifeasible is dedicated to building a high-throughput platform for the discovery of high-quality plant hormone and analog targets. We overcome the bottlenecks of traditional target identification—such as lengthy timelines and high rates of missed targets—by fully quantifying the receptor identification process through high-throughput methods. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.

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For research or industrial use.

Related Services

• Phytohormone Receptor-Ligand Interaction Validation and Structure Determination