Cover Image:

Abstract

Poplar is an important species in fast-growing wood plantations and a model system for wood formation. Wang et al. (pages 1852–1858) demonstrate that 3′UTR-dependent decay of CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC DWARF 1 (PdCPD1), encoding an essential enzyme of brassinosteroid (BR) synthesis, is required to maintain normal brassinolide (BR) levels for xylem diff erentiation. This work reveals a mechanism underlying posttranscriptional regulation of BR biosynthesis during wood formation, which may be useful for genetically manipulating wood biomass in trees.