The Janus face of ethylene: growth inhibition and stimulation.
The gaseous plant hormone ethylene modulates many internal processes and growth responses to environmental stimuli. Ethylene has long been recognized as a growth inhibitor, but evidence is accumulating that ethylene can also promote growth. Therefore, the concept of ethylene as a general growth inhibitor needs reconsideration: a close examination of recent literature can help to understand the two contrasting faces of growth control by ethylene. Here, we propose a hypothesis that integrates growth inhibition and growth stimulation into one biphasic ethylene response model. Focusing on photosynthesis and cell expansion, we highlight several mechanisms through which ethylene affects plant growth, thereby interacting with various other signal transduction routes.
Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Sorbonnelaan 16, 3584 CA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Ronald
R
Pierik
Danny
D
Tholen
Hendrik
H
Poorter
Eric J W
EJ
Visser
Laurentius A C J
LA
Voesenek
D000040:Abscisic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D049108:Cell Enlargement; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005875:Gibberellins / Q000378:metabolism; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D063245:Plant Development; D010944:Plants / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D005030:Ethylenes; D005875:Gibberellins; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids; D000040:Abscisic Acid; D002244:Carbon; C036216:ethylene; C007842:gibberellic acid