Replicase-mediated transgenic resistance to Tobamovirus infections

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Plant transformation with tobamovirus gene sequences is one of a number of available strategies for the potential control of tobamovirus disease. In most cases, a complete, near immunity type of resistance can be induced in plants transformed with fragments or modified forms of the viral replicase gene and the strong resistance is exhibited against high concentrations of both virus and viral RNA inoculum. However, the transgenic plant exhibits a relatively narrow resistance spectrum, manifested only against the virus from which the transgene is derived or against very closely related virus strains. A more complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in replicase-mediated transgenic resistance against tobamoviruses is needed, in order to increase its efficacy and reduce or eliminate the biosafety concerns related to its use in agriculture as a biotechnological tool for crop protection. .
Work contributing to this article was supported by project grants BIO97-0615-C02-01; BIO98- 0849; BIO2000-1605-C02-02 and BIO2000-0914 from CICYT and 07B/0026/1999 from Comunidad de Madrid (Spain).