Molecular identification and functional analysis of ethylene receptor regulators in Arabidopsis thaliana
Feifei Wang, Yue Sun, Xiankui Cui, Tao Zhang, Chun-Hai Dong*

College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109
*Corresponding Author：Tel: (+86532) 8608 0640; Fax: (+86532)8608 0640; E-mail:chunhai79@yahoo.com

Abstract
As a gas hormone ethylene directly regulates plant growth and development, fruit ripening, organ senescence and the plant response to environmental stresses. RTE1 is a newly identified regulator, specifically targeting ethylene receptor ETR1. In early studies we provided evidence showing the subcellular co-localization of the RTE1 and ETR1, and the direct physical interaction of these proteins. In the present study, we present the data showing other regulatory factors in ethylene signaling. The preliminary analysis suggests that they could be novel regulatory factors of the ethylene signal transduction pathway in Arabidopsis. Among them, RTE4 targets ethylene receptor ETR1 but not other receptors; LTP1, the lipids transfer protein, directly interacts with RTE1, involved in regulation of plant responses to ethylene. In addition, the presentation will propose new molecular screening to look for more regulating factors for ethylene responses and signaling. These studies would update our understanding of the ethylene receptor regulation and ethylene signaling, and potentially benefit the improvement of the economic plants.

Key Words: ethylene receptor, signaling, regulatory factors, Arabidopsis