Ethylene signaling: the MAPK module has finally landed

Ethylene hormone responses are negatively regulated by the CTR1 protein, which has similarity to mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases (MAPKKKs). Because of this similarity, it has long been speculated that ethylene signal transduction involves a MAPK cascade. Now, a recent paper provides compelling evidence for an ethylene-activated MAPK pathway. The implication is that CTR1 and the newly identified MAPKK and MAPKs comprise a MAPK module that regulates ethylene responses in plants.