A distinctive voice for ethylene signaling in hypoxia

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) is a key enzyme in fermentation and anaerobic metabolism where it contributes to ethanol production from acetaldehyde derived from pyruvate. During the anaerobic response in plants, transcription of the ADH gene is induced, transcripts are more stable and ADH protein levels increase. Indeed, ADH was identified as an anaerobic-induced polypeptide in several screenings. Furthermore, it has been known for some time that ethylene is an important mediator of the response to hypoxia in many plant systems.