Multiple virus resistance in transgenic plants conferred by the human dsRNA-dependent protein kinase

• Published in: Molecular breeding 2002-09, Vol.10 (1-2), p.11-18
• Main Authors: Lim, Pyung Ok, Ung, Lee, Ryu, Jong Sang, Choi, Jang Kyung, Hovanessian, Ara, Kim, Cheol Soo, Baik Ho Cho, Hong Gil Nam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Deactivation; Disease resistance; Double-stranded RNA; eIF-2 kinase; Gene expression; Inactivation; Interferon; Kinases; Molecular biology; Plant biology; Plant viruses; Potatoes; Protein kinase; Proteins; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; Tobacco; Transgenic plants; Viruses; Wounding
• ISSN: 1380-3743; 1572-9788
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1020306203270

We have developed a new strategy for engineering resistance to multipleviruses in plants. The strategy exploits the human double stranded (ds)RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR). PKR is one of theinterferon-induced enzymes. It confers viral resistance in mammals byinhibitingviral replication through the inactivation of the translational initiationfactor, eIF-2α, upon activation by dsRNA. The humanPKR gene was fused to the promoter of theArabidopsis blue copper binding protein gene(BCB) that is induced rapidly in response to wounding. Thechimeric gene cassette was introduced into tobacco plants. Expression of thePKR gene in transgenic tobacco plants was demonstrated byRNA gel blot analysis and autophosphorylation assay of anMr 68,000 protein. The transgenic plantsexpressing the PKR gene showed significantly reduced viralsymptoms or no viral symptoms at all, when challenged by different plant RNAviruses, such as Cucumber mosaic virus, Tobaccoetch virus, or Potato virus Y. Thus, expressionof a single component in the human interferon pathway, thePKR gene, can effectively confer resistance to multipleviruses in transgenic plants.