This study identifies EIN3 and EILs as novel sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins that regulate gene expression in response to ethylene in Arabidopsis. EIN3 is necessary and sufficient for the expression of ERF1, which contains a primary ethylene response element (PERE) in its promoter. ERF1 acts downstream of EIN3 and all other components of the ethylene signaling pathway, and its constitutive expression results in the activation of a variety of ethylene response genes and phenotypes. EIN3 binds directly to the PERE in the ERF1 promoter, and ERF1 is a GCC-box-binding protein that activates downstream ethylene response genes such as basic-chitinase and PDF1.2. The study demonstrates that EIN3 and ERF1 act sequentially in a transcriptional cascade initiated by ethylene. EIN3 is a transcriptional activator that is both necessary and sufficient for ERF1 expression. ERF1 is a downstream component in the ethylene signaling pathway and may act along with other proteins to fully mediate the various seedling responses to ethylene. The results suggest that EIN3 and ERF1 are involved in a regulatory cascade that amplifies the ethylene signal and allows for fine-tuned regulation of plant responses to this gaseous hormone. The study also provides evidence that ERF1 is a direct target of EIN3 and that its constitutive expression results in the activation of downstream ethylene response genes and phenotypes. The findings highlight the importance of EIN3 and ERF1 in the ethylene signaling pathway and their role in the regulation of plant responses to this hormone.This study identifies EIN3 and EILs as novel sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins that regulate gene expression in response to ethylene in Arabidopsis. EIN3 is necessary and sufficient for the expression of ERF1, which contains a primary ethylene response element (PERE) in its promoter. ERF1 acts downstream of EIN3 and all other components of the ethylene signaling pathway, and its constitutive expression results in the activation of a variety of ethylene response genes and phenotypes. EIN3 binds directly to the PERE in the ERF1 promoter, and ERF1 is a GCC-box-binding protein that activates downstream ethylene response genes such as basic-chitinase and PDF1.2. The study demonstrates that EIN3 and ERF1 act sequentially in a transcriptional cascade initiated by ethylene. EIN3 is a transcriptional activator that is both necessary and sufficient for ERF1 expression. ERF1 is a downstream component in the ethylene signaling pathway and may act along with other proteins to fully mediate the various seedling responses to ethylene. The results suggest that EIN3 and ERF1 are involved in a regulatory cascade that amplifies the ethylene signal and allows for fine-tuned regulation of plant responses to this gaseous hormone. The study also provides evidence that ERF1 is a direct target of EIN3 and that its constitutive expression results in the activation of downstream ethylene response genes and phenotypes. The findings highlight the importance of EIN3 and ERF1 in the ethylene signaling pathway and their role in the regulation of plant responses to this hormone.