Tissue-specific expression of the TMV coat protein in transgenic tobacco plants affects the level of coat protein-mediated virus protection

The Impact of "Coat Protein-Mediated Virus Resistance" in Applied Plant Pathology and Basic Research

Worldwide, plant viruses cause serious reductions in marketable crop yield and in some cases even plant death. In most cases, the most effective way to control virus diseases is through genetically controlled resistance. However, developing virus-resistant (VR) crops through traditional breeding can take many years, and in some cases is not even possible. Because of this, the demonstration of the first VR transgenic plants in 1985 generated much attention. This seminal report served as an inflection point for research in both basic and applied plant pathology, the results of which have dramatically changed both basic research and in a few cases, commercial crop production. The typical review article on this topic has focused on only basic or only applied research results stemming from this seminal discovery. This can make it difficult for the reader to appreciate the full impact of research on transgenic virus resistance, and the contributions from fundamental research that led to translational applications of this technology. In this review, we take a global view of this topic highlighting the significant changes to both basic and applied plant pathology research and commercial food production that have accumulated in the last 30 plus years. We present these milestones in the historical context of some of the scientific, economic, and environmental drivers for developing specific VR crops. The intent of this review is to provide a single document that adequately records the significant accomplishments of researchers in both basic and applied plant pathology research on this topic and how they relate to each other. We hope this review therefore serves as both an instructional tool for students new to the topic, as well as a source of conversation and discussion for how the technology of engineered virus resistance could be applied in the future.

Isolation of BNYVV coat protein-specific single chain Fv from a mouse phage library antibody

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) infects sugar beet plants worldwide and is responsible for the rhizomania disease and severe economic losses. Disease severity and lack of naturally occurring resistant plants make it very difficult to control the virus, both from epidemiological and economic standpoints. Therefore, early detection is vital to impose hygiene restrictions and prevent further spread of the virus in the field. Immunoassays are one of the most popular methodologies for the primary identification of plant pathogens including BNYVV since they are robust, sensitive, fast, and inexpensive. In this study, the major coat protein (CP21) of BNYVV was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Thereafter, mice were immunized with purified CP21 and a phage antibody library was constructed from their PCR-amplified immunoglobulin repertoire. Following filamentous phage rescue of the library and four rounds of panning against recombinant CP21 antigen, several specific single chain Fv fragments were isolated and characterized. This approach may pave the way to develop novel immunoassays for a rapid detection of viral infection. Moreover, it will likely provide essential tools to establish antibody-mediated resistant transgenic technology in sugar beet plants.

Potential Uses of Cys‐Motif and Other Polydnavirus Genes in Biotechnology

Exploiting the ability of insect pathogens, parasites, and predators to control natural and damaging insect populations is a cornerstone of biological control. Here we focus on an unusual group of viruses, the polydnaviruses (PDV), which are obligate symbionts of some hymenopteran insect parasitoids. PDVs have a variety of important pathogenic effects on their parasitized hosts. The genes controlling some of these pathogenic effects, such as inhibition of host development, induction of precocious metamorphosis, slowed or reduced feeding, and immune suppression, may have use for biotechnological applications. In this chapter, we consider the physiological functions of both wasp and viral genes with emphasis on the Cys-motif gene family and their potential use for insect pest control.

Plant pathology and RNAi: a brief history

This article describes the discovery of RNA-activated sequence-specific RNA degradation, a phenomenon now referred to as RNA silencing or RNA interference (RNAi). From 1992 to 1996, a series of articles were published on virus resistant transgenic plants expressing either translatable or nontranslatable versions of the coat protein gene of Tobacco etch virus (TEV). Certain transgenic plant lines were resistant to TEV but not to closely related viruses. In these plants a surprising correlation was observed: Transgenic plant lines with the highest degree of TEV resistance had actively transcribed transgenes but low steady-state levels of transgene RNA. Molecular analysis of these transgenic plants demonstrated the existence of a cellular-based, sequence-specific, posttranscriptional RNA-degradation system that was programmed by the transgene-encoded RNA sequence. This RNA-degradation activity specifically targeted both the transgene RNA and TEV (viral) RNA for degradation and was the first description of RNA-mediated gene silencing.

Coat protein-mediated resistance in transgenic plants

This review describes the proposed mechanism(s) of classical virus cross-protection in plants, followed by those suggested for coat protein-mediated resistance (CP-mediated resistance). Although both have common features, cross-protection is thought to be a complex response caused by the replication and expression of the entire viral genome, whereas the resistance conferred by the expression of a virus coat protein gene is more limited. The term genetically engineered cross-protection is frequently used because in many cases the phenotype of resistance mimics that of cross-protection. However, CP-mediated resistance, although a narrow term, more accurately describes the resistance that results from the expression of a virus CP gene in transgenic plants.

Strategies to protect crop plants against viruses: pathogen-derived resistance blossoms

Since 1986, the ability to confer resistance against an otherwise devastating virus by introducing a single pathogen-derived or virus-targeted sequence into the DNA of a potential host plant has had a marked influence on much of the research effort, focus, and short-term objectives of plant virologists throughout the world. The vast literature on coat protein-mediated protection, for example, attests to our fascination for unraveling fundamental molecular mechanism(s), our (vain) search for a unifying hypothesis, our pragmatic interest in commercially exploitable opportunities for crop protection, and our ingenuity in manipulating transgene constructions to broaden their utility and reduce real or perceived environmental risk issues. Other single dominant, pathogen-derived plant resistance genes have recently been discovered from a wide variety of viruses and are operative in an ever-increasing range of plant species. Additional candidates seem limited only by the effort invested in experimentation and by our ingenuity and imagination. This review attempts to consider, in a critical way, the current state of the art, some exceptions, and some proposed rules. The final impression, from all the case evidence considered, is that normal virus replication requires a subtle blend of host- and virus-coded proteins, present in critical relative concentrations and at specific times and places. Any unregulated superimposition of interfering protein or nucleic acid species can, therefore, result in an apparently virus-resistant plant phenotype.

Coat protein mediated resistance to Plum Pox Virus in Nicotiana clevelandii and N. benthamiana

Transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana and N. clevelandii plants expressing the coat protein of Plum Pox Virus under the control of the 35S promoter from Cauliflower Mosaic Virus were engineered by Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation. The phenomenon of virus resistance was observed at different levels when transgenic plants, expressing the coat protein and control plants were compared after challenge infection with Plum Pox Virus. N. clevelandii coat protein transgenic plants circumvent virus accumulation. After an initial increase in virus titer similar to the control plants, some coat protein expressing plants showed a reduced accumulation of virus and inhibition of the systemic spread, characterized by decrease of the virus titer and formation of new symptomless leaves. In other N. clevelandii coat protein expressing plants virus accumulation was inhibited and disease symptoms never appeared. N. benthamiana coat protein expressing plants were also protected. After a temporary virus accumulation, virus titer decreased without the appearance of symptoms with the exception of a few plants, which showed a delay of thirty days in the development of symptoms post challenge infection.