Ethylene receptors are functionally conserved in calcium permeability across the green lineage

Yu, D.; Ju, C.; Feng, C.; Wang, Y.; Sun, Y.; Gao, L.; Liu, Z.; Li, C.; He, X.; Su, H.; Hu, M.; Meng, J.; Tian, S.; Liu, L.; Hou, C.; Kong, D.; Li, L.

doi:10.1101/2025.10.20.683334

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.10.20.683334

Ethylene receptors are functionally conserved in calcium permeability across the green lineage

Yu, D.·Ju, C.·Feng, C.·Wang, Y.·Sun, Y.·Gao, L.·Liu, Z.·Li, C.·He, X.·Su, H.·Hu, M.·Meng, J.·Tian, S.·Liu, L.·Hou, C.·Kong, D.·Li, L.

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Abstract

The gaseous hormone ethylene plays a key role in regulating plant growth and stress responses. Although Ca{superscript 2} has long been implicated in ethylene signaling, the identity of molecules controlling Ca{superscript 2} permeability involved has remained elusive. Here we show that Arabidopsis ethylene receptors ETR1 and ERS1 are Ca2+ permeable, and that ETR1 mediates ethylene-induced cytosolic Ca2+ increase and regulates hypocotyl elongation. Homologs of ETR1 from eight land plant and algal species also exhibit Ca{superscript 2} permeability, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved function. We further demonstrate ethylene enhances the Ca2+ permeability of ETR1 and its homologue from the charophyte Klebsormidium flaccidum. These findings uncover a previously unrecognized but conserved role of ethylene receptors in Ca{superscript 2} permeability regulation in the green lineage, with broad implications for Ca{superscript 2} signaling in plant development and environmental adaptation.

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Yu, D., Ju, C., Feng, C., Wang, Y., Sun, Y., Gao, L., Liu, Z., Li, C., He, X., Su, H., Hu, M., Meng, J., Tian, S., Liu, L., Hou, C., Kong, D., Li, L.. 2025-10-20. Ethylene receptors are functionally conserved in calcium permeability across the green lineage. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.10.20.683334

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