Signal transduction of ethylene perception

Ethylene signal transduction pathway regulates various aspects of plant physiology and development. Studies of mutants defective in the ethylene response, has led to the elaboration of key genes involved in the perception of ethylene. Among them are putative ethylene receptors, Raf-like kinases, nuclear-targeted proteins and transcription factors. The gene products share common motifs found in other signaling-cascade pathways in organisms ranging from bacteria to mammals. Recent biochemical studies provide insight into the function and regulation of the components of the ethylene cascade and make ethylene perception a paradigm for signal transduction in multicellular organisms.