An SHI/STY Family Transcription Factor Specifies Thorns in Citrus (PRJCA046320)
In this study, we unexpectedly identified a single gene, THORN IDENTITY 3 (homolog of Arabidopsis SRS3), as a critical activator of TI1 and TI2.  Our results demonstrate that TI3 plays an essential role in terminating stem cell activity in the Citrus thorn meristem. Furthermore, branch meristem-specific CsCEN represses TI3 expression to maintain stem cell activity in that meristem. This project aims to decipher the molecular mechanism controlling thorn development in citrus and apply this knowledge to engineer novel thornless germplasm, facilitating improved cultivation.