1. Introduction
Ethylene, a versatile phytohormone known for its multifaceted regulatory functions in plant growth and development, also influences critical processes such as seed germination, root growth, fruit ripening, and flower and leaf abscission. The research on ethylene responses is documented in a large number of studies [
1]. The early research on ethylene to show its’ effects on plants dates back to 1800s. The first case of illuminating gas affecting plants was shown in 1858 [
2]. A review published in 2015 has summarized the history of ethylene research including biosynthesis, regulation, signaling and physiological effects on plants [
3]. Moreover, the research on ethylene advanced with passage of time, and researcher participated to unravel the role of ethylene in plants under stressful environments. Plants subjected to persistent stressful environments in their natural habitat exhibit stress avoidance strategies and establish mechanisms to withstand and endure the stress, thereby developing stress tolerance. The studies in higher plants suggest increased levels of ethylene production in response to abiotic and biotic stresses [
4]. At low concentrations, ethylene can promote plant growth and development; however, when ethylene levels rise, as frequently observed under stressful situations, it may have negative consequences with aberrant plant growth and development [
5]. Under stress conditions, elevated levels of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase (ACS) stimulate the production of increased amounts of the substrate 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC), consequently leading to higher ethylene synthesis within plant tissues [
6]. Methionine is converted to S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) by the enzyme SAM synthetase, which is part of plants' well-established ethylene production route. Subsequently, ACS catalyzes the conversion of SAM to ACC, generating 5-methylthioadenosine (MTA) as a byproduct, which is then recycled back into methionine through a multi-step process known as the Yang cycle, while ACC oxidase (ACO) converts ACC into ethylene [
7] (
Figure 1).
Early research suggested that ACS serves as the rate-limiting enzyme, which prompted a substantial investigation into the control of ACS protein activity and stability [
8]. However, a rising body of evidence has accumulated, indicating that ACO is the limiting factor in ethylene synthesis during specifically dedicated processes [
9]. This conveys that ACS and ACO are important for ethylene biosynthesis and plant function regulation. ACS is an intracellular protein located in the cytosol and distinguished by its short lifespan and dependence on the cofactor pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) for enzymatic activity [
8].
Wang et al. [
10] reported the regulation of ethylene biosynthesis through WRKY29, which transactivates the expression of ACS and ACO and brings about a pleiotropic effect on plant growth and development. ACS is a multiple gene encoding polypeptide that varies from species to species. For instance, eight
ACS genes in
Lycopersicum esculentum [
11] and five in
Oryza sativa and
Solanum tuberosum are reported [
12]. Environmental factors differentially regulate the expression of each
ACS throughout the plant life cycle. However, there are 12
ACS reported in the Arabidopsis genome, out of which only eight (
ACS 2, 4-9, 11) are enzymatically activeThese genes have shown tolerance responses in plants under various abiotic stress.
AtACS7, ACS9, and ACS
11 maintain a balanced relationship between ethylene, ROS, and brassinosteroid phytohormones [
13]. Additionally,
AtACS2 and
AtACS5 participate in pathways that respond to abscisic acid (ABA) and control plant growth and development [
14]. Under hypoxia, tissue-specific expression response of
OsACS1 and
OsACS3 is reported in etiolated seedlings in shoots and roots, respectively, while
OsACS2 is mainly expressed in root and downregulated by hypoxic conditions. During submergence, OsACS5 mRNA is found to accumulate in the vascular bundle of young stem and leaf sheath [
15]. The phosphorylation of serine residues at sites 476 and 479 in the C-terminal region of
MaACS1 is an essential regulatory mechanism for
Musa paradisiaca fruit maturation [
16]. Previous research has indicated that the upregulation of
ACS genes increases the synthesis of defensive proteins, paving the way for ACC production followed by ethylene [
17].
Similarly, as mentioned earlier, ACO is subject to strict regulation. The subcellular localization of ACO contentious, with conflicting studies proposing either plasma membrane or cytosolic localization. It exhibits diverse expression levels in both vegetative and reproductive tissues, playing a crucial role in limiting the rate of ethylene biosynthesis[
9] Evidence showed the role of ACO in abiotic stress tolerance, for instance, flooding induces the upregulation of
StACO1 and
StACO2 in potatoes, with
StACO1 exhibiting high sensitivity to this stress [
18]. In deep water rice,
OsACO1 plays a role in internode elongation, and submergence enhances both ACO activity and
OsACO1 mRNA levels [
19,
20]. A study on tomatoes revealed that ethylene-induced hydrogen sulfide production through persulfidation of LeACO1 and LeACO2 reduces the activity of enzyme and ethylene production, thus helping in osmotic stress tolerance [
21]. Moreover,
ACO in Arabidopsis shows tissue-specific expression patterns, meaning its differential expression is required for optimum ethylene production at different phases of the plant life cycle. [
9]. Though ethylene has been reported as a major phytohormone influencing plant growth potential under abiotic stress, it is equally relevant to highlight the role of ACS and ACO expression under various abiotic stresses to know the root cause of abiotic stress responses. This review is an effort to highlight the more profound role of ACS and ACO in intimating plant physiology and development under abiotic stress conditions.
3. ACC homeostasis and its signaling function
Studies have shed light on intricate regulatory mechanisms surrounding ACC, a key substrate in the ethylene biosynthesis pathway. ACC, generated by the catalytic activity of ACS, not only serves as a precursor for ethylene production but also exhibits a regulatory role independent of its conversion to ethylene [
85]. The ACC pool undergoes strict regulation to serve both ACC signaling and ethylene biosynthesis. ACC conjugation plays a pivotal role in modulating the extent of ethylene biosynthesis; ACC showed the capacity for conjugation with 1-malonyl-ACC (MACC), γ-glutamyl-ACC (GACC), and jasmonyl-ACC (JA-ACC) [
7,
85]. The regulation of ACC involves not only conjugation but also transport, which plays a crucial role in controlling the spatial distribution of ethylene biosynthesis. Both short and long-distance transport of ACC has been observed, with the xylem likely mediating the major transport route, and transportation via the phloem is also documented. Additionally, intracellular transport of ACC across the transport into the vacuole has been demonstrated [
7]. The identification of ACC transporters, such as LYSINE HISTIDINE TRANSPORTER1 (LHT1) and LHT2, has provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of ACC transport [
86,
87]. The discovery of novel ACC transporters is contingent upon further revelations in ACC mobility and homeostasis. Mounting evidence supports ACC's role as a distinct signaling molecule beyond its established function in ethylene biosynthesis [
86]. For instance, ACC regulates cell wall function via the FEI pathway. FEI1 and FEI2, LRR-RLKs linked to cellulose biosynthesis, impact root swelling and cellulose production. Notably, inhibiting ethylene biosynthesis reverses
fei1 fei2 mutants' root phenotype, while ethylene perception blockage has no effect. Furthermore, the FEI kinase domain directly interacts with type-2 ACS proteins but not with type-1 and type-3. These results imply that FEI proteins define a novel signaling pathway that regulates cell wall function and that ACC is acting as a signaling molecule in this pathway [
88]. The genetic study of Arabidopsis
ACS mutants provides evidence supporting ACC's role as a signaling molecule. An octuple mutant with a significant decrease in ethylene production displayed embryonic/gametophytic lethality and unfertilized ovules, whereas mutants completely insensitive to ethylene were viable. This outcome indicates that ACC, particularly ACS, possesses a function separate from the established ethylene response pathway. The disruption of the ACS gene family reinforces the diverse roles of its members in plant growth and development, highlighting both overlapping and unique functions [
89]. Also, ACC has been observed to enhance the expression of genes associated with antioxidant defense mechanisms, safeguarding photosynthesis and respiration in seaweed during heat stress, indicating its role as a signaling molecule mitigating heat stress effects independently of ethylene [
90]. Additionally, ACC promotes the development of sexual cells and protects
Pyropia gametophytes from oxidative stress [
91]. In the context of copper stress, ACC inhibits the expression of genes encoding Cu transport proteins, reducing copper accumulation, MDA contents, and mitigating growth inhibition in
G. lemaneiformis, while also stimulating jasmonic acid synthesis and activating pathways unrelated to ethylene signaling [
92]. Loss of ACS2 activity intensifies NaCl-induced inhibition of root growth, with the mechanism involving ACC accumulation activating IAA conjugases GH3.5 and GH3.9, ultimately leading to decreased IAA levels and impaired root growth [
93]. A recent study showed that dipeptide of ACC causes ethylene responses by means of substrate promiscuity mediated by ACO [
94].
6. ACS and ACO in nutritional deficiency
The imbalances in nutrient levels can significantly impact the performance of plants, resulting in modifications to a range of physiological processes, overall growth patterns, and the ability to withstand both biotic and abiotic stresses. Plants undergo various changes in their morphology and physiology to adapt to nutrient deficiencies [
175]. Here is some literature highlighting the connection of ethylene in the regulation of different nutrient deficiencies. The interplay between ethylene and nitrogen (N) availability influenced various physiological processes, encompassing the architecture of root, leaf, and reproductive organ development and the synthesis of amino acids, proteins, and enzymes [
176]. A study reported that under N deficiency, endogenous ethylene evolution increased, referred to as stress ethylene, negatively affecting plants. However, under specific conditions where the perception of ethylene was enhanced, it has been observed that ethylene improved nitrogen-use efficiency and overall growth of plants grown under optimal and deficient N conditions [
177]. Similarly, another study reported that ethylene concentration was higher in mustard plants grown at low N compared to control. Application of exogenous ethylene further increased the ethylene evolution, increasing the nitrate reductase activity, total nitrogen content, photosynthesis, and plant growth [
178]. The availability of N regulated the formation of ethylene by influencing ACS activity. This, in turn, governed the levels of N-content and NR activity [
179]. Furthermore, it has been shown by meta-profiling research that the ethylene biosynthesis pathway was regulated by N levels. For example, under nitrate deficiency, the expression of
ACS7 and
ACO10 was significantly repressed in seedling. However, when leaf samples were exposed to either low or high N levels, both
ACS7 and
ACO10 were activated [
176]. Conversely,
ACS8, ACS4, ACO1, ACO5, and
ACO2 were downregulated under low and high N conditions. It is intriguing to consider that the families of
ACS and
ACO genes exhibited distinct temporal and spatial expression patterns in response to varying N levels [
176]. During the initial response of cucumber seedlings to N starvation, a thorough analysis of the plant's transcriptome revealed the presence of a homolog of ACO6, which was involved in ethylene synthesis [
180]. Moreover, prolonged low N conditions have revealed the upregulation of an
ACO4 homolog and a transcript similar to
ACO in response to N starvation [
176]. A report demonstrated that in response to low nitrate treatment,
Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0) seedlings exhibited a rapid burst of ethylene production, which may be due to increased activity or transcript level of ACS and ACO, along with altered expression of ethylene signaling components CTR1, EIN3, and EIL1. This low nitrate treatment also increased the ethylene response reporter EBS: GUS activity in both Col-0 and ethylene mutants
ein3-1eil1-1 and
ctr1-1. Additionally, the expression of
NRT2.1, a nitrate transporter involved in high-affinity nitrate uptake, was up-regulated upon low-nitrate treatment. Comparisons between
nrt1.1 and
nrt2.1 mutants and Col-0 indicated that the increased
NRT2.1 expression positively affected ethylene biosynthesis and signaling in low nitrate conditions. In contrast, ethylene suppressed the expression of
NRT2.1, which decreased the absorption of high-affinity nitrate. These results demonstrated the existence of a negative feedback loop linking
NRT2.1 expression with both ethylene biosynthesis and signaling during nitrate deprivation. This feedback loop could help to precisely control how plants acquire nitrate in response to changing soil conditions [
181]. Tian et al. [
182] reported that high nitrate levels stimulated ethylene production in roots by activating
ACS and
ACO. They also showed the regulatory role of ethylene in nitrate-dependent root development through the modulation of nitrate transporters
NRT1.1 and
NRT2.1, thereby influencing nitrate uptake and root elongation.
The phosphorus (P) deficiency, leading to ethylene generation or alterations in ethylene sensitivity, has played a crucial role in regulating the root architecture and the root hydraulic conductivity [
183]. Ethylene has been shown to govern the expression of
PSI (PHOSPHORUS STARVATION INDUCED), participate in Pi transport, signaling, and recycling, and stimulate the activity of APases (acid phosphatases; intracellular APases participate in Pi remobilization within plants, while secreted APases contribute to Pi release from organophosphates in the rhizosphere, enhancing Pi availability for root uptake), but suppresses anthocyanin accumulation during phosphorus deficiency [
184]. Also, ethylene exerts its regulatory influence at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels to modulate plant P responses. In response to P deficiency, it was documented that EIN3/EIL1 regulated the PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 1 (PHR1) transcription factor, involved in stimulating the expression of genes involved in P acquisition, such as
PAP17, PHT1;1 and PHT1;4 [
185]. EIN3/EIL1 through WRKY75 transcription factor was involved in the expression of internal phosphate transporter
PHT1;5 [
186]. However, there are limited reports regarding the specific ACS and ACO isoforms that are differentially regulated in these specific responses. Microarrays and RNA-seq analyses have confirmed the upregulation of ethylene biosynthetic genes, particularly
ACS and
ACO, in Arabidopsis experiencing Pi starvation [
184]. A study demonstrated that the expression of
ACS2,
ACS4, and
ACS6 increased in Arabidopsis seedlings when grown under Pi deficiency conditions [
187]. It was observed that the elevated expression of
ACS2 and
ACS6 reverted to normal levels when Pi-deficient plants were supplied with adequate Pi, indicating a cause-effect interaction between the expression of these genes and the Pi levels in the environment [
188]. In the
phr1phl1 (phosphorus starvation response; phr1-like1) double mutant of Arabidopsis, the activation of several
PSI, including
ACS6 and
ACS7, was hindered to varying degrees. Notably, the expression of two other
PSI, ACS2 and
ACS4, was not dependent on the PHR1 pathway [
189]. This indicated that different signaling pathways mediated the regulation of other members of the
ACS family. The response of
ACS and
ACO families to Pi deficiency differs among plant species. Studying the transcription of specific
ACS and
ACO in different tissues and developmental stages under Pi deficiency is crucial for understanding the spatiotemporal regulation of ethylene biosynthesis.
Microarray experiment on Arabidopsis showed that under potassium (K
+) deficiency, expression of genes
ACS and
ETR2 and reactive oxygen production increased. In downstream signaling, ethylene enhanced the expression of
HIGH-AFFINITY K+ TRANSPORTER 5 (
HAK5), which may be through RAP2.11, an ethylene response factor [
190]. This was confirmed by using ethylene-insensitive mutants
ein2-1, where a reduction in
HAK5 expression was observed [
190]. In addition, K deprivation inhibited lateral root growth but stimulated root hair growth in Arabidopsis. This response was attributed to increased ethylene production in low conditions [
191].Direct study of ACS and ACOs role in regulating K deficiency still needs to be elucidated.
Under magnesium (Mg) deficiency, the up-regulation of
ACS11 was observed in both roots and leaves, whereas
ACS2, ACS7, and
ACS8 were specifically up-regulated only in leaves of Arabidopsis [
192]. A recent study revealed that under magnesium-deficient conditions, the promotion of root hair elongation in Arabidopsis was facilitated through the increase of ethylene biosynthesis (ACS7 and ACO1) and signaling (ETR1) via
KAI2-KL (KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2) signaling pathway [
193]. Another study revealed that the interaction between ethylene and NO effectively governed the root hair development under conditions of Mg deficit. Ethylene stimulates NO generation through NR (nitrate reductase) and NOS-L (nitric oxide synthase-like) pathways. At the same time, NO enhances the release of ethylene by activating ACO and ACS enzymes. Consequently, a positive feedback loop between NO and ethylene was established, thereby regulating the growth of root hairs in response to Mg deficiency in Arabidopsis [
194].
Plants can be classified into Strategy I and Strategy II groups based on their iron (Fe) uptake mechanisms. Strategy I plants convert Fe
3+ to Fe
2+ before uptake, while Strategy II plants excrete PhytoSiderophores (PS) to chelate Fe
3+ for uptake [
186]. Ethylene regulated the expression of
FIT (FER-
LIKE Fe DEFICIENCY-INDUCED TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR), FRO2 (FERRIC REDUCTASE OXIDASE), IRT1 (IRON REGULATOR TRANSPORTER), NAS1/2 (NICOTIANAMINE SYNTHASE) and flavin synthesis genes, enhancing ferric reductase activity and Fe
2+ uptake [
186]. In Strategy II plants, ethylene activates transcription factors IDEF1 and IRO2, leading to the upregulation of
NAS for PS (PhytoSiderophores)synthesis and expression of PS-Fe
3+ transporter YSL15 for iron acquisition [
195]. In Strategy I species and rice, it was reported that Fe deficiency up-regulated the ACS and ACO for ethylene formation [
196,
197]. Fe deficiency upregulated
AtSAM1, AtSAM2, AtACS4, AtACS6, AtACS9, AtACO1, and AtACO2 (ethylene synthesis) and AtETR1, AtCTR1, AtEIN2, AtEIN3, AtEIL1, and AtEIL3 (ethylene signaling) in the roots of Arabidopsis for iron acquisition and homeostasis [
197]. Under iron deficiency conditions, both the expression and activity of MPK3/MPK6 are heightened, leading to increased transcript levels of ACS2 and ACS6. Research suggests that ACS stabilization is pivotal in sensing nutrient deficiency [
198].
In context to sulfur (S), Iqbal et al. [
199] documented that the application of ethephon enhanced the photosynthetic responses in two mustard cultivars that differed in photosynthetic capacity by increasing the ATP sulfurylase activity and enhanced the S content. This showed a connection between ethylene and S assimilation. In S-deficient
Brassica napus plants, it was observed that ethylene, by regulating the expression of S transporter genes
BnSultr1,1, BnSultr1;2, BnSultr4;1, BnSultr4;2 influenced S acquisition [
200]. Low Sulfur (LSU)-like proteins are reported to function as modulators of ethylene biosynthesis under S deficiency conditions by affecting either the function or stability of the ethylene synthesis enzymes. ACS or ACO serves as the key enzyme in the regulation of this pathway [
27,
74]. LSU-like proteins directly interact with ACO to facilitate ethylene production when plants are exposed to S deficiency [
201].
Under boron (B) deficiency, an increase in
ACS11 expression led to elevated levels of ACC and ethylene, resulting in altered auxin response and reduced cell elongation in the primary root of Arabidopsis seedlings, while root hair formation and length increased [
202]. A recent report suggested that under B deficiency, cytokinins stimulated the expression of
ACS11, thus inhibiting root cell elongation in an ethylene-dependent manner. In addition, ethylene independent pathway was also present where cytokinins downregulated the
AUX1, leading to altered auxin signaling in the meristematic and maturation zone, causing reduced elongation of root cells in Arabidopsis [
203].
In the context of calcium (Ca), it was reported that calcium plays a pivotal role in interacting with ethylene signaling and governing plant responses. Calcium is essential for the induction of genes and the proper functioning of ethylene receptors. Calcium deficiency impairs ethylene-related responses, while increasing Ca levels enhances the responses [
204]. The application of verapamil (Ca
2+ inhibitor) promoted ethylene production by upregulating the expression of
LeACO1 and downregulating
LeETR4. At the same time, Ca treatment delayed the commencement and maximum ethylene production, maintaining low
LeACO1 but raised the expression of
LeETR2/3/4/5. The study suggested that Ca was involved in preventing ethylene production during the conversion of ACC to ethylene, and it regulated the expression of ethylene receptors [
205]. According to a recent study, treatments with 10 µM calcium chloride, Ca
2+ enhanced ACS and ACO activities, promoted ACC and ethylene production, and regulated the expression of genes involved in ethylene signaling [
167].
Taken together, the existing research highlights the involvement of ethylene in regulating plant responses to nutrient deficiencies. However, a comprehensive understanding of how nutrient deficiencies regulate ACS and ACO genes at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational levels, as well as the specific isoforms involved, is still a subject of ongoing scientific investigation. This knowledge is crucial for developing targeted strategies to improve nutrient utilization in plants, enhance crop yields, and mitigate the effects of nutrient deficiencies in agriculture.
Table 3 summarizes the differential expression of
ACS and
ACO in response to different nutritional stress.