Effect of ethylene on anthocyanin biosynthesis: promotion or inhibition?

Anthocyanins, a class of ubiquitous flavonoid pigments, play diverse functions in plant development, such as attracting pollinators and seed distributors, protecting the plant from different stresses. Plant hormones play vital roles in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in plants, among which the effects of ethylene on anthocyanin biosynthesis varies from plant species. Ethylene induces anthocyanin biosynthesis in most fruits, including apple, plum and grape. In contrast, ethylene inhibits anthocyanin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis and pear fruit. The potential regulatory mechanisms that how ethylene induces anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple fruit and how ethylene inhibits anthocyanin biosynthesis in pear fruit are well studied. This minireview summarizes the recent findings contributing to our understanding of the role of ethylene in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in different plant species.