Mechanism and Application of Developmental Factors in Plant Genetic Transformation

Genetic transformation serves as a critical tool for gene function research and crop improvement. However, its efficiency is often low and highly dependent on species, genotypes, and explant types, significantly restricting its broader application. Many developmental factors have been proven pivotal not only for plant growth and development but also for the regulation of callus formation and shoot regeneration, which are key steps in the process of genetic transformation. Thus, this review focuses on the application of developmental factors in enhancing transformation efficiency across species. Developmental factors are classified into four regulatory pathways: morphogenesis, wound signaling, epigenetic modification, and hormone signaling. Among them, morphogenic factors have been extensively studied for enhancing transformation efficiency, while the potential of the other three pathways remains less explored in species beyond Arabidopsis. We summarize these established mechanisms and regulatory networks, providing a valuable reference for elucidating these mechanisms in other plant species. Furthermore, we also propose strategies for identifying species-specific efficient developmental factors and improving molecular mechanisms. Ultimately, this review provides a comprehensive summary of the mechanism and application of developmental factors and offers theoretical support to overcome the bottlenecks in genetic transformation.