The present invention relates to the targeted regulation of gene expression and more specifically to synthetic transcription factors (STFs) comprising at least one highly target specific engineered recognition domain and further comprising at least one activation or silencing domain to modulate the expression of a gene of interest, preferably to modulate the transcription of a morphogenic gene of a eukaryote. Further disclosed are methods using the STFs to enhance transformation frequencies, to optimize successful genome editing approaches, to provide haploid or double haploid organisms, and/or to provide compositions suitable for general transformation, but also for breeding purposes.
