In planta engineering of viral RNA replicons: efficient assembly by recombination of DNA modules delivered by Agrobacterium

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 May 4;101(18):6852-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0400149101. Epub 2004 Apr 21.

Abstract

We have developed an efficient, versatile, and user-friendly viral engineering and expression system that is based on in planta assembly of functional viral vectors from separate pro-vector modules. With this new system, instead of supplying a plant cell with a complete viral vector as a mature viral particle, an RNA or a linear DNA molecule, we use agrobacteria to deliver various modules that are assembled inside the cell with the help of a site-specific recombinase. The resulting DNA is transcribed, and undesired elements such as recombination sites are spliced out, generating a fully functional RNA replicon. The proposed protocol allows us, by simply treating a plant with a mixture of two or more agrobacteria carrying specific prefabricated modules, to rapidly and inexpensively assemble and test multiple vector/gene combinations, without the need to perform the various engineering steps normally required with alternative protocols. The process described here is very fast (expression requires 3-4 days); it provides very high protein yield (up to 80% of total soluble protein); more than before, it is carried out using in vivo manipulations; it is based on prefabricated genetic modules that can be developed/upgraded independently; and it is inherently scalable.

MeSH terms

  • DNA, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Genetic Vectors*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified*
  • RNA Viruses / metabolism*
  • Rhizobium*

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • T-DNA