A counterdefensive strategy of plant viruses: Suppression of posttranscriptional gene silencing

Kristin D. Kasschau, James C. Carrington

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

697 Scopus citations

Abstract

Posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) in plants inactivates some aberrant or highly expressed RNAs in a sequence-specific manner in the cytoplasm. A silencing mechanism similar to PTGS appears to function as an adaptive antiviral response. We demonstrate that the P1/HC-Pro polyprotein encoded by tobacco etch virus functions as a suppressor of PTGS. A locus comprised of a highly expressed β-glucuronidase (GUS) transgene was shown to exhibit PTGS. Genetic crosses and segregation analyses revealed that a P1/HC- Pro transgene suppressed PTGS of the GUS sequence. Nuclear transcription assays indicated that the silencing suppression activity of P1/HC-Pro was at the posttranscriptional level. These data reveal that plant viruses can condition enhanced susceptibility within a host through interdiction of a potent defense response.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)461-470
Number of pages10
JournalCell
Volume95
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 13 1998

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A counterdefensive strategy of plant viruses: Suppression of posttranscriptional gene silencing'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this