Ethylene biology and beyond: Novel insights in the ethylene pathway and its interactions

Authors: VAN DER STRAETEN, DOMINIQUE - Ghent University; KANELLIS, ANGELOS - Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki; KALAITZIS, PANAGIOTIS - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute Of Chania (MAICH); BOUZAYEN, MONDHER - French National Institute For Agricultural Research; CHANG, CAREN - University Of Maryland; Mattoo, Autar; ZHANG, JIN-SONG - Chinese Academy Of Sciences

Submitted to: Frontiers in Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/18/2020
Publication Date: 3/12/2020
Citation: Van Der Straeten, D., Kanellis, A., Kalaitzis, P., Bouzayen, M., Chang, C., Mattoo, A.K., Zhang, J. 2020. Ethylene biology and beyond: Novel insights in the ethylene pathway and its interactions. Frontiers in Plant Science. 11:248. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00248.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00248

Interpretive Summary: This Research Topic brings novel insights in ethylene signaling in bacteria, algae, and lower plants, as well as evidence supporting a specific role for the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) in plants and in plant-bacteria interactions. Ethylene receptors were initially thought to be specific to plants. Interestingly, ethylene receptor homologs have been found in cyanobacteria. Understanding light-dependent differences in ethylene synthesis and signaling is essential to expand our insight into the roles of ethylene in growth and development across the entire plant life cycle. A thorough analysis of players in ethylene signaling enabled identification of key regulators in fruit development and ripening. Not unexpectedly, translational regulation of ethylene biosynthesis and signaling appears to be fundamental in the control of ethylene effects. The data clearly indicate that the production of aroma volatile compounds is strongly ethylene-dependent and support the notion that in kiwifruit ethylene and low temperature-induced ripening may involve two different regulatory mechanisms. Another study, using the highly pigmented ‘Royal Gala’ apple cultivar over-expressing MYB10, revealed that the anthocyanin-related transcription factor is associated to the undesirable fruit disorder. Prematurely induced ethylene can advance fruit maturity and, as shown by these authors, may lead to adverse effects on storage of high-anthocyanin fruits. Given the importance of ethylene in agricultural applications and the need for sustainable crop production, on the field as well as in post-harvest control of fruits and vegetables, progress has been made on improved control of ethylene release and sensitivity, as well as on long-term storage conditions of crop products. These research studies are of interest to academicians, fruit growers, industry and students studying ethylene role(s) in plant biology.

Technical Abstract: Ethylene receptors were initially thought to be specific to plants. Interestingly, ethylene receptor homologs have been found in cyanobacteria. Understanding light-dependent differences in ethylene synthesis and signaling is essential to expand our insight into the roles of ethylene in growth and development across the entire plant life cycle. A thorough analysis of players in ethylene signaling enabled identification of key regulators in fruit development and ripening. Not unexpectedly, translational regulation of ethylene biosynthesis and signaling appears to be fundamental in the control of ethylene effects. The data clearly indicate that the production of aroma volatile compounds is strongly ethylene-dependent and support the notion that in kiwifruit ethylene and low temperature-induced ripening may involve two different regulatory mechanisms. Another study, using the highly pigmented ‘Royal Gala’ apple cultivar over-expressing MYB10, revealed that the anthocyanin-related transcription factor is associated to the undesirable fruit disorder. Prematurely induced ethylene can advance fruit maturity and, as shown by these authors, may lead to adverse effects on storage of high-anthocyanin fruits. Given the importance of ethylene in agricultural applications and the need for sustainable crop production, on the field as well as in post-harvest control of fruits and vegetables, progress has been made on improved control of ethylene release and sensitivity, as well as on long-term storage conditions of crop products.