CHAPTER 8:Plant Ethylene Sensing and Signalling

Ethylene is a gaseous hormone produced by plants that influences many important processes in plants including growth, development, and responses to stresses. The signal-transduction pathway for ethylene has been defined in plants and first involves the binding of ethylene to receptors that contain a copper cofactor. These receptors are located in the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum where they interact with other proteins to initiate signalling that leads to alterations in transcription and ethylene responses. This chapter summarizes what is known about ethylene signalling and the role of copper ions in receptor function. The occurrence of ethylene receptors in nonplant species is also discussed.