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Published on: April 8, 2012
A personal history of virus-based vector construction
1Department of Plant Pathology, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred, FL, 33850, USA, wodtmv@crec.ifas.ufl.edu.
Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|October 26, 2011
Summary
Plant virus vectors enable high-level foreign gene expression for research and crop improvement. Our lab developed novel tobacco mosaic virus and citrus tristeza virus vectors for plant gene applications, evolving towards field protection and therapy.
Area of Science:
- Plant biotechnology
- Molecular biology
- Virology
Background:
- Virus-based expression systems amplify foreign mRNA for high protein production in plants.
- Viral vectors are established lab tools but have faced challenges in commercial application.
- The evolution of viral vectors continues to unlock new possibilities in plant science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the development and application of virus-based vectors in plants by our laboratory.
- To highlight the creation of novel 'add-a-gene' vectors based on plant viruses.
- To showcase the transition of these vectors from lab tools to field applications for crop improvement.
Main Methods:
- Development of replication-competent and mobile virus-based vectors.
- Utilizing tobacco mosaic virus as a base for early vector prototypes.
- Adapting virus vectors for use in citrus trees, employing citrus tristeza virus.
Main Results:
- Creation of the first 'add-a-gene' vectors capable of systemic movement in plants.
- Development of stable vectors producing substantial amounts of foreign gene products.
- Successful generation of citrus tristeza virus-based vectors for laboratory use and field applications.
Conclusions:
- Virus-based vectors are powerful tools for high-level gene expression in plants.
- The laboratory's developed vectors have evolved from research tools to potential field applications in crop protection and therapy.
- The adaptability of viral vectors, demonstrated in both herbaceous and woody plants, offers significant potential for agriculture.
