ACC is the precursor to
the plant hormone ethylene. It is synthesized by the enzyme
ACC synthase () from
methionine and converted to ethylene by
ACC oxidase (). ACC also exhibits ethylene-independent signaling that plays a critical role in
pollination and seed production by activating proteins similar to those involved in nervous system responses in humans and animals. More specifically, ACC signaling promotes secretion of the
pollen tube chemoattractant LURE1.2 in
ovular sporophytic tissue thus enhancing pollen tube attraction. Additionally, ACC activates
Ca2+-containing
ion currents via
glutamate receptor-like (GLR) channels in root
protoplasts. ACC can be used by soil
microorganisms (both
bacteria and
fungi) as a source of
nitrogen and
carbon. As such, using ACC to incubate soils has been proven to induce the gene abundance encoding ACC-
deaminases, which may have positive consequences on
plant growth and
stress tolerance. ACC has also been extracted from
kelp. ACC is also an exogenous
partial agonist of the
mammalian NMDA receptor. In 2019, the
United States Environmental Protection Agency issued notice of an application for an
experimental use permit to be issued for use of ACC as a
pesticide. == References ==