The Helpful Green Virus

Texas AgriLife Research scientists have found a virus that can allow foreign genes to enter plants like tomatoes without causing deformities. The gene within the virus that can cause this is called P19 and it does so by suppressing RNA silencing. Dr. Herman Scholthof explains, "During this silencing, short strands of RNA serve as signals to alert the plant that a virus is attempting to infect so that all of its tissues start mobilizing to defend.” The P19 protein counters the RNA silencer by capturing its signal so the plant’s defenses will not act upon it. Leaving the plant vulnerable allowing foreign genes to enter without the consequences of the plant’s defense system.

This discovery is grand seeing as before only purified bacteria was used to make protein-based drugs for pharmaceutical purpose, but now it can be made from plants. Scholthof stated, "Plants not only form a cheap and green alternative, but they also have the benefit that they process proteins properly -- something bacteria can not do." The great part about the P19 is that not only is their no deformities from its interactions, but it also does not induce any disease symptoms of the plant.

http://www.geneticstimes.com/research/Virus_component_helps_improve_gene_expression_without_harming_plant.asp