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It has previously been shown that jasmonic acid affects the ethylene signaling pathway. EIN2 is a central component of ethylene signaling that is downstream of the receptors. EIN2 has previously been shown to be required for ethylene responses. We found that reducing jasmonic acid levels, either mutationally or chemically, caused ein2 ethylene-insensitive mutants to become ethylene responsive. This effect was not seen with the ethylene-insensitive etr1-1 mutants that affect receptor function. Based upon these results, we propose a model where jasmonic acid is inhibiting ethylene signal transduction down-stream of the ethylene receptors. This may involve an EIN2-independent pathway., (Copyright © 2012 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

It has been previously shown that Cu(I) and the ethylene response antagonist, Ag(I), support ethylene binding to exogenously expressed ETR1 ethylene receptors. Both are Group 11 transition metals that also include gold. We compared the effects of gold ions with those of Cu(I) and Ag(I) on ethylene binding in exogenously expressed ETR1 receptors and on ethylene growth responses in etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings. We find that gold ions also support ethylene binding but, unlike Ag(I), do not block ethylene action on plants. Instead, like Cu(I), gold ions affect seedlings independently of ethylene signaling.