Ethylene signal integration through epigenetic mechanisms in plants

Abstract

Ethylene is an essential phytohormone that controls a plethora of plant developmental and stress responses. Accordingly, ethylene signal generation and progression must be under tight spatiotemporal control. This review highlights the latest milestones in understanding how epigenetic mechanisms govern ethylene biosynthesis and signaling, and how ethylene-mediated recruitment of epigenetic modifiers in turn controls gene expression and biological processes. We discuss a central mechanism of how ethylene-controlled histone acetylation is essential for ethylene signal progression. In addition, we outline how a wide range of epigenetic mechanisms control ethylene-mediated developmental and stress responses, with a focus on fruit ripening. Finally, we propose future research directions and open questions of ethylene signal integration through epigenetic mechanisms in plants.