CitNAC71-CitNAC76 module antagonistically coordinates cellulose and hemicellulose biosynthesis to regulate high-temperature-mediated juice sac granulation in citrus

Juice sac granulation, a globally significant physiological disorder of citrus, causes substantial economic losses in the citrus industry annually. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation and regulation of citrus granulation remain elusive and controversial. In this study, we identified a transcriptional regulatory module that regulates granulation in citrus. We first established a stable granulation model by high-temperature treatment of in vitro cultured juice sacs, revealing that cellulose and hemicellulose accumulation are early hallmarks of citrus granulation.