Involvement of cellular membrane in regulation of ethylene production 1

Effects of various substances which would change membrane structures on auxin-induced ethylene production in etiolated mung bean hypocotyl segments were investigated. Auxin-induced ethylene production was not affected by treatment of tissue segments with pronase, trypsin, Con A and amphotericin B. Phospholipase D inhibited ethylene production and its action was reversible, suggesting that the inhibitory action may not be due to enzymatic action. Lecithin, Tween 20, Triton X 100 and SDS also significantly inhibited ethylene production. Inhibition by the former two substances was completely, and that of the latter two was partially reversed by removing them from the tissue segments. All the substances which inhibited ethylene production also suppressed IAAsp formation by the tissue. It was concluded that inhibition resulted from structural changes of cell membranes caused by reversible interaction with the lipophilic substances and that ethylene production and IAAsp formation were under the control of membrane function.