Regulation of stress hormones jasmonates and ethylene by MAPK pathways in plants

Plant stress hormones, such as jasmonates (JAs) and ethylene (ET) are essential in plant defence against stress conditions. JAs are used in cosmetics and food flavouring, and the recently demonstrated anti-cancer activity of JAs highlights their potential in health protection. It reinforces the need for a better understanding of biosynthetic regulation of JAs. Which mechanisms are involved in the regulation of the biosynthesis of JAs and ET? Production of stress hormones is induced in plants after wounding or herbivore attack. ET is a gaseous compound and plant JAs are oxylipins structurally similar to prostaglandins that are induced upon inflammation or injury in mammals. Wounding activates protein phosphorylation cascades involving mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). MAPKs regulate ET production. The induction of JA biosynthesis was suggested to require MAPK activation; however the defined roles of MAPKs in JA production remain unclear. Here we will highlight the most recent findings suggesting the regulation of JA biosynthesis and ethylene production by stress activated MAPKs and phosphatases that inactivate these MAPKs.