ethylene biosynthesis

Ethylene biosynthesis is the process by which plants produce a hormone called ethylene, which influences growth and aging. It starts with the amino acid methionine, which is converted into a compound called S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). SAM then transforms into 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) via the enzyme ACC synthase. Finally, ACC is converted into ethylene by the enzyme ACC oxidase. This pathway allows plants to regulate processes like fruit ripening, leaf fall, and response to stress through controlled ethylene production.