Transcriptome and proteome analyses reveal a critical role of the sucrose anabolic pathway in regulating Quercus fabri Hance axillary bud outgrowth

Shoot branching is an important aspect of plant architecture because it greatly affects both plant biomass and crop yield. Sucrose is not only a nutrient but also a key signal regulator in bud outgrowth and development. Yet little is known about the mechanisms underlying the shoot branching development of Quercus fabri Hance. In this study, transcriptomics and proteomics analysis of Q. fabri FB and MB mutants were performed. A total of 23 054 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 5925 differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) were identified. The KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that sucrose anabolism pathways were the most active biological pathways associated with downregulated DEGs and DAPs of the SZ-vs.-DZ comparison group. Finally, from the two omics, nine candidate genes having the same trend in expression were selected from among the sucrose anabolism pathways. Their correlation and protein interaction network analysis revealed that these nine genes were most closely related to tryptophan metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, and cysteine and methionine metabolism. Taken together, these findings can help to elucidate the molecular mechanism and regulatory network of sucrose metabolism and branch development in Quercus trees.