Tomato GRF-GIF transgenic plant RNA sequencing raw data (KAP241835)
Efficient plant regeneration is necessary for crop transformation but remains a bottleneck in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), particularly from leaf explants. Chimeric GRF (GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR)-GIF (GRF-INTERACTING FACTOR) proteins were evaluated as regeneration enhancers. Based on identified homologs (SlGRF4, SlGIF1b), AtGRF5-GIF1 and SlGRF4-GIF1b were expressed. RNA-seq revealed a shared early (D14) program enriched for transcription factor activity and ubiquitination, with concurrent repression of oxidoreductase functions (FAD binding, disulfide reductase activity, iron ion binding). Fusion proteins were not detected by immunoblotting, suggesting rapid turnover. Proteasome inhibition (MG132) increased accumulation in Nicotiana benthamiana; ubiquitinated species were detected, indicating ubiquitin proteasome mediated degradation. Mutagenesis identified key lysines regulating stability, but substitution stabilization did not further improve regeneration. Overall, GRF-GIF chimeras are established as effective enhancers of tomato leaf explant regeneration; coordinated RNA and protein stabilities define their activity window for optimizing transformation strategies.