Auxin And Ethylene: Collaborators Or Competitors?

The document reviewed the complex interactions between two plant hormones, auxin and ethylene, in various growth processes of plants, such as root elongation, lateral root formation, gravitropism, and root hair development. It was found that these hormones can act both synergistically and antagonistically, depending on the process. Ethylene was shown to modulate auxin synthesis, transport, and signaling, leading to tissue-specific responses that fine-tune plant development. The review discussed the molecular mechanisms of their signaling pathways, including the identification of Arabidopsis mutants insensitive to these hormones, and highlighted the genetic evidence for crosstalk, particularly in root growth. Ethylene affects auxin-regulated growth processes by influencing auxin signaling, transport, and synthesis, with the hormones having equivalent positive regulatory roles in root hair development. The document concluded that while substantial evidence exists for the interaction between auxin and ethylene, especially in root elongation, the specific transcriptional networks and mechanisms require further study to fully understand their crosstalk.