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Home >> Plant Biotechnology and Genomics >> Genetically Modified-GM Crops and Floricultural Plants >> Antisense SAHH Gene for Resistance Against a Broad Spectrum, of Viruses


Antisense SAHH gene for resistance against a broad spectrum of viruses

In all the above approaches, a gene was used which conferred resistance against one specific virus. However, if we could inhibit expression of a gene responsible for a non-essential host cell enzyme, required for virus replication, we can get resistance against a broad spectrum of viruses.

In one such effort, the enzyme S-adenosyl homocysteine hydrolase (SAUH) was chosen' for manipulation. SAHH is responsible for several methylation reactions including 5'-cap mRNA methylation, where S-adenosyl- methionine is used as methyl donor.

If SAHH is inhibited, there will be under-methylation at the 5' end of viral mRNA leading to inhibition of viral replication. SAHH inhibitions have actually been used as antiviral agents and were found to suppress plant viruses in leaf disk assays.

In a study reported in 1995, transgenic tobacco plants were produced which expressed antisense RNA against mRNA of a tobacco SAHH gene. This led to a reduction of SAHH level and consequent inhibition of viral replication/infection in the transgenic plants.

 

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