The combination of morphogenic regulators BABY BOOM and GRF-GIF improves maize transformation efficiency and promotes leaf regeneration

Chen, Zongliang, Zhou, Jiaqi, Galli, Mary, Iohannes, Sessen Daniel, Clark, Theresa, Debernardi, Juan M, Dubcovsky, Jorge, Jackson, David, Gallavotti, Andrea (August 2026) The combination of morphogenic regulators BABY BOOM and GRF-GIF improves maize transformation efficiency and promotes leaf regeneration. New Phytologist. ISSN 0028-646X

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URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42608059

DOI: 10.1111/nph.71508

Abstract

Transformation is an indispensable tool for plant genetics and functional genomics. Although stable transformation in maize is no longer a major obstacle, there remains a need for accessible and efficient methods for academic laboratories. Here, we present the GGB system, a rapid and efficient approach optimized for immature embryo transformation in B104 and other maize lines. This system combines two distinct morphogenetic regulators, the wheat GRF4-GIF1 chimera and the maize BABY BOOM (BBM) transcription factor (hence the name "GGB") with a modified QuickCorn protocol, enabling regeneration of transformed maize plantlets in c. 2 months with an efficiency 7-fold higher than when compared to either morphogenic factor used in isolation. Expression of both regulators did not significantly affect development, eliminating the need to excise them after regeneration. However, transmission of the transgenic GGB construct through pollen was significantly reduced, potentially aiding transgenic line containment. We show that the GGB system is adaptable for CRISPR-Cas9 editing and reporter line generation. Furthermore, stable GGB transformants exhibited high leaf regeneration capacity via somatic embryogenesis. RNA-seq time-course profiling of GGB leaf cultures identified additional factors that could promote regeneration and led to the discovery of asparagine and trehalose as additional media components that significantly enhanced leaf regeneration.

Item Type:	Paper
Subjects:	organism description > plant > maize organism description > plant
CSHL Authors:	Jackson, David P. Zhou, Jiaqi Iohannes, Sessen Clark, Theresa
Communities:	CSHL labs > Jackson lab CSHL Post Doctoral Fellows School of Biological Sciences > Publications
SWORD Depositor:	CSHL Elements
Depositing User:	CSHL Elements
Date:	17 August 2026
Date Deposited:	20 Aug 2026 12:30
Last Modified:	20 Aug 2026 12:30
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/42296

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