Premium
Ethylene levels are regulated by a plant encoded 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid deaminase
Author(s) -
McDonnell Lisa,
Plett Jonathan M.,
AnderssonGunnerås Sara,
Kozela Christopher,
Dugardeyn Jasper,
Van Der Straeten Dominique,
Glick Bernard R.,
Sundberg Björn,
Regan Sharon
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2009.01208.x
Subject(s) - 1 aminocyclopropane 1 carboxylic acid , ethylene , carboxylic acid , chemistry , biochemistry , biology , catalysis
Control of the levels of the plant hormone ethylene is crucial in the regulation of many developmental processes and stress responses. Ethylene production can be controlled by altering endogenous levels of 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC), the immediate precursor to ethylene or by altering its conversion to ethylene. ACC is known to be irreversibly broken down by bacterial or fungal ACC deaminases (ACDs). Sequence analysis revealed two putative ACD genes encoded for in the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana ( A. thaliana ) and we detected ACD activity in plant extracts. Expression of one of these A. thaliana genes ( AtACD1 ) in bacteria indicated that it had ACD activity. Moreover, transgenic plants harboring antisense constructs of the gene decreased ACD activity to 70% of wild‐type (WT) levels, displayed an increased sensitivity to ACC and produced significantly more ethylene. Taken together, these results show that AtACD1 can act as a regulator of ACC levels in A. thaliana .