Infiltration-RNAseq: transcriptome profiling of Agrobacterium-mediated infiltration of transcription factors to discover gene function and expression networks in plants

Abstract

Infiltration-RNAseq is a fast and convenient method for profiling TF-mediated gene expression changes. We utilised this method to identify TF-mediated transcriptional changes and TF target genes in <i>M. truncatula</i> and <i>Nicotiana benthamiana</i>. This included the identification of target genes of a TF not normally expressed in leaves, and targets of TFs from other plant species. Infiltration-RNAseq can be easily adapted to other plant species where agroinfiltration protocols have been optimised. The ability to identify downstream genes, including positive and negative transcriptional regulators, will result in a greater understanding of TF function.