Induction of an ATP-polymerizing enzyme in TMV-infected tobacco and its homology to the human 2'-5' A synthetase

Expression of the "helper component" protein of potato virus Y (PVY) in E. coli: possible involvement of a third protease

Transmission of potyviruses by aphids depends on the presence of a virus encoded helper-component protein (HC) that also exhibits protease activity. HC was expressed in E. coli from two types of clones: a full-length cDNA clone of PVY and two 5' end clones containing the first three cistrons (3.6-3.7 kbp). The clones derived from the 5' end of PVY expressed HC of the size of the mature component. Other proteins reacting with antibodies to HC were also observed, and their sizes corresponded with those of expected intermediates resulting from partial protease cleavage of the three-cistron polyprotein. On the other hand, the only detectable HC-related product of the full-length clone was a mature-size HC. The presence of a third PVY protease among the first three cistrons is therefore suggested.

Expression and assembly of the potato virus Y (PVY) coat protein (CP) in Escherichia coli cells

A clone harboring the full-length cDNA of potato virus Y in a lambda-DASH vector under the control of a T7 promoter was introduced into Escherichia coli carrying the T7-RNA-polymerase gene on a plasmid. The viral coat protein was expressed and the product was of the same size as the corresponding mature protein in infected plants. Immunoelectronmicroscopy of transfected cell extracts revealed virus-like particles, indicating that the proteins involved in its processing and the viral coat protein retained their native activity.

Expression of active human interferon-beta in transgenic plants

Tobacco plants were transformed with the human gene for interferon-beta (IFN-beta). Transformation was determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and expression was determined by Western blot analysis, by purifying the IFN from the transgenic plants, and by bioassays indicating its activity in human cells. Plants expressing IFN-beta were self-pollinated. IFN-beta-expressing progeny plants were selected and produced active IFN-beta, indicating stable transformation.