Deletion of the PtrDJ1C Gene Leads to Increased Branching in Poplar

The PtrDJ1C gene is essential for poplar growth and early chloroplast development. Disruption of PtrDJ1C expression results in an albino leaf phenotype and increased branching. However, the underlying mechanism for the increased branching remains unknown. In this study, we employed integrated approaches to investigate the function of PtrDJ1C in the branch-increasing phenotype.While previous studies have demonstrated that PtrDJ1C is needed for early chloroplast development and normal growth in Populus (Wang et al., 2023), its role in the regulation of branching remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the mechanism behind the increased branching phenotype observed in ptrdj1c mutants. Through integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, we investigated key biosynthesis and metabolic pathways underlying this phenotype. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular crosstalk between hormone regulation, chloroplast function, and branch development in Populus.