SPF1 and SPF2 are nuclear-located SUMO proteases that contribute to balancing the levels of SUMO conjugates downstream of SIZ1 and are involved in the regulation of plant development.

Research in molecular plant biology has largely benefitted from technologies allowing exogenous gene expression. While the generation of stable transgenic lines is required in some cases, transient transformation methods offer several advantages over lengthier and labour-intensive stable transformation approaches.