原始小球藻AP2转录因子的生物信息学分析

为了揭示原始小球藻AP2基因家族编码蛋白的理化特性、分子功能和遗传进化特征,该文对原始小球藻AP2基因家族的蛋白成员进行了详细的生物信息学预测和分析,并利用PrtoParam、Pfam 3.20、Protscale等在线工具分析了原始小球藻AP2家族所包含的8个蛋白成员。结果表明:该家族成员含有的氨基酸数为247(XP_011395646.1)到715(XP_011401904.1),理论等电点最大为9.39(XP_011396011.1)、最小为5.81(XP_011398158.1); 家族中各个成员所含有的保守结构域的位置和数量都各不相同; 所有蛋白成员均无信号肽,均不包含跨膜螺旋,不具有跨膜区域; 蛋白成员中最大亲水性值为-3.222(XP_011398158.1),最大疏水性值为2.333(XP_011401904.1),且所有成员的平均亲疏水性值均小于0; 成员中有多个磷酸化位点值远超标准值0.5,最大磷酸化位点值为0.998; 该基因家族的蛋白成员二级结构的组分含量从大到小排序均为无规则卷曲>α-螺旋>延伸链>β-转角,推测α-螺旋和无规则卷曲是其二级结构的主要方式,延伸链和β-转角则分散在所有蛋白成员的氨基酸链中; 所有成员的三级结构分析中均能观察到α-螺旋、β-折叠、β-转角以及N端和C端; 系统进化分析结果表明,在其余15个物种中,与原始小球藻亲缘关系最远的是金牛介球菌(Ostreococcus tauri),亲缘关系最接近的是小球藻(Chlorella variabilis NC64A)和螺旋孢子虫(Helicosporidium),较接近的是苦参3号(Picochlorum sp. SENEW3)。该研究较系统地分析了原始小球藻AP2蛋白家族的理化特性、保守基序及系统进化关系,为进一步研究原始小球藻AP2转录因子功能和互作关系提供一定参考依据。     

甘蔗ScNRAMP基因家族的鉴定与生物信息学分析

NRAMP蛋白(natural resistance-associated macrophage proteins)家族在植物响应重金属胁迫时具有重要作用,能够转运Fe²⁺、Mn²⁺、Zn²⁺和Cd²⁺等重金属离子。为探究甘蔗ScNRAMP基因家族的特征,该文基于甘蔗割手密基因组鉴定了ScNRAMP基因家族,并进行了理化特性、基因结构、顺式作用元件、保守基序、结构域和进化关系等分析。结果表明:甘蔗ScNRAMP基因家族含有29个成员,不均匀分布在19条染色体上; 编码蛋白均为不稳定蛋白,无信号肽,亚细胞均定位在质膜上; 各成员保守基序有6～10个不等,跨膜数有6～12个不等,二级结构主要构成元件为α-螺旋和无规则卷曲; 顺式作用元件分析表明甘蔗ScNRAMP基因家族可能通过激素代谢参与逆境胁迫和生长发育等生物过程; 利用割手密的RNA-seq转录组表达数据进行的组织特异性分析发现,ScNRAMP在甘蔗不同发育阶段的叶和茎中具有时空表达特性; 进化树分析将甘蔗ScNRAMP家族成员分为3个亚家族(I、Ⅱ和Ⅲ)。该研究在全基因组水平上系统地鉴定了现代栽培甘蔗祖先种之一割手密NRAMP基因家族,既为进一步了解甘蔗NRAMP基因家族提供了基础,也为后续甘蔗重金属研究提供了重要候选基因。     

白菜CesA基因家族鉴定及表达模式分析

为探究CesA基因家族在白菜生长发育及纤维素合成过程中的作用机制,该文通过生物信息学的方法,以白菜的全基因组序列为研究区域,进行理化特征、基因结构、进化特征、保守基序及结构域、顺式作用元件和组织表达等鉴定分析。结果表明:(1)共鉴定出16个编码纤维素合成酶亚基的CesA基因,该家族成员所编码蛋白的理论等电点为4.76～9.12,相对分子量为17.76～122.67 kD,长度为153～1 089 aa。(2)15个基因不均匀地分布于白菜的7条染色体上,Bra036008定位于scaffold上。(3)大部分成员包含4～14个外显子,1～11个保守基序。(4)该家族具有保守的DDD-QXXRW 保守功能域。(5)该家族编码蛋白主要分布在质膜上,二级结构以无规则卷曲与α-螺旋为主,多数成员都含有CesA蛋白典型的N端、C端和跨膜区。(6)CesA基因在茎中表达量相对较高,其中Bra011865、Bra023952和Bra029874在茎、叶、花中显著表达。该研究结果为后续深入研究CesA基因功能以及白菜生长发育研究奠定了基础。     

蓖麻RcMsc2基因功能分析

G2/有丝分裂特异性细胞周期蛋白 2(G2/mitotic-specific cyclin-2,Msc2)作为高等植物应对逆境胁迫的关键调控蛋白,参与多个抗逆境胁迫的应答。为探究RcMsc2基因的功能,该研究从蓖麻叶片组织中成功克隆了RcMsc2,并利用生物信息学分析RcMsc2蛋白的结构和潜在功能,同时借助qRT-PCR方法分析RcMsc2基因的组织表达特性和非生物胁迫表达特性。结果表明:(1)RcMsc2基因位于蓖麻第5号染色体长臂,该基因的CDS(coding sequence)区是1 299 bp,编码432个氨基酸。(2)RcMsc2蛋白拥有细胞周期(cyclin)家族特征结构域,是一个不稳定酸性亲水蛋白,无跨膜域和信号肽,相对分子量为49.38 kD。(3)RcMsc2蛋白质的二级、三级结构以α-螺旋和无规则卷曲为主。(4)RcMsc2蛋白与麻风树和巴西橡胶树的CYCB2蛋白的序列同源性最高,且同被聚为Group Ⅱ。(5)35S-RcMsc2-GFP融合蛋白定位于细胞核。(6)RcMsc2基因在蓖麻的所有组织中均有表达且主要在根和茎中发挥作用; 非生物胁迫分析表明RcMsc2基因可以被脱落酸(abscisic acid, ABA)、盐、干旱和低温处理诱导表达,并且RcMsc2基因对低温胁迫的响应最敏感。综上表明,该研究较全面地分析了RcMsc2基因的结构特征、系统进化和表达模式,为揭示RcMsc2基因在蓖麻的生长发育和应答冷胁迫过程中的功能提供了理论参考。     

hpc2研究进展

生物个体的胚胎发育以及细胞的增殖、分化,都同时受到多种基因的严格调控,PcG基因家族就是一类重要的发育相关基因.而hPc2基因是人PcG基因家族中的一个重要成员,其编码的HPC2蛋白,不仅可以和HPH、BMI-1以及RING1等其他人类PcG蛋白结合形成HPC/HPH PcG复合体,以蛋白复合体的形式参与对homeotic基因的表达抑制,以维持机体的正常发育以及细胞的增殖和定向分化,还发现它能与其他多种蛋白质相结合,提示HPC2可能具有多种功能.因此,对hPc2的深入研究不仅有助于进一步阐明PcG基因家族的作用机理,扩展人们对基因表达调控的认识,还有助于发现PcG基因家族与其他信号转导通路的联系,更好地理解细胞信号网络系统.     

毛竹APX基因系统进化与表达分析

抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(aseorbate peroxidase, APX)是植物活性氧代谢中重要的抗氧化酶之一,尤其是叶绿体中清除H₂O₂的关键酶,也是维生素C代谢的主要酶类。该文基于生物信息学方法,利用毛竹的基因组及转录组数据鉴定毛竹中的APX基因家族成员,并对其编码的蛋白基本理化性质、基因结构、启动子元件、系统进化及共线性关系、重复串联基因、GO注释及表达模式进行综合分析,共鉴定出21种编码APX的基因。结果表明:(1)PeAPX基因家族成员多为不稳定疏水蛋白,基因结构、基序及结构域相对较为保守,大多数APX基因具有高度保守的内含子模式。(2)系统进化关系显示毛竹APX基因与水稻APX基因有着较高的同源性关系,PeAPX具有较高的进化保守性。(3)Ka/Ks分析表明PeAPX基因都经历了纯化选择压力,此外在每个APX基因的启动子序列中发现有许多与应激反应和植物激素相关的顺式作用元件,结合表达量分析,表明毛竹APX基因在毛竹生长发育中起着正向促进作用。该研究为进一步了解毛竹APX基因家族基本功能及其抗氧化机制提供了一定的参考,为毛竹APX基因功能的深层次鉴定提供了重要依据。     

紫色红曲霉Mp-21 MpMcrA基因的克隆与生物信息学分析

McrA为最近在构巢曲霉(Aspergillus nidulans)中发现的全局调控因子，具有调控丝状真菌生长发育和次级代谢的作用，利用生物信息学分析方法找到并克隆紫色红曲霉（Monascus purpureus）中mcrA基因，将其命名为MpMcrA。分析MpMcrA蛋白质理化性质、亲疏水性、亚细胞定位、信号肽、跨膜区域及磷酸化位点、转录因子结合位点以及蛋白质二级结构。利用ProtParam、ProtScale、PSORTII、SignalP4.1等生物信息学软件对MpMcrA进行系统分析。 结果表明，MpMcrA基因长1 356 bp，其中含有3个外显子，2个内含子，编码410个氨基酸，与构巢曲霉序列比对蛋白相似性高达64％。预测结果显示，MpMcrA属于亲水蛋白，位于细胞核可能性大，不存在跨膜区域，不属于膜蛋白；不存在剪切位点，不属于分泌蛋白；基因含有54个潜在的磷酸化位点；可能存在5个转录因子结合位点；蛋白结构大部分为无规则卷曲，整体结构较松散。对MpMcrA基因进行了生物信息学分析，得到了基因特征和分析结果。初步确定MpMcrA基因为构巢曲霉同源mcrA基因，在红曲霉中未见有报道。     

红汁乳菇中一个聚酮合酶基因的鉴定和表达分析

聚酮化合物具有丰富的生物活性,为了解红汁乳菇(Lactarius hatsudake)中聚酮合酶基因,从红汁乳菇基因组中分离并克隆得到LhPKS1基因,通过生物信息学分析推测其功能,并通过RT-PCR验证该基因的表达量。结果显示,LhPKS1基因全长cDNA含有6 036 bp,编码2 011个氨基酸残基,结构域顺序依次为SAT-KS-AT-PT-ACP-TE,该蛋白无跨膜结构和信号肽,聚类分析显示LhPKS1蛋白与参与生物合成苔色酸的真菌PKS蛋白聚为一支。在以10%肌醇、2%和10%的山梨醇为碳源添加物及以番茄浸粉为氮源添加物时,该基因表达量较高。研究有助于通过LhPKS1基因的过表达及异源表达,为大量获取苔色酸类化合物及其骨架提供参考。     

中粒咖啡WRKY基因家族的生物信息学分析

WRKY转录因子是植物信号网络中不可缺少的部分,作为植物中最大的转录因子家族之一,在植物的多种应激反应中发挥着重要作用。该文利用生物信息学方法对中粒咖啡WRKY蛋白家族的理化特性及其分子进化进行了详细分析。结果表明:(1)CcWRKY蛋白氨基酸数量在103～994个之间,均无信号肽,推测其为非分泌性蛋白; 其二级结构以无规则卷曲为最主要的结构元件,三级结构主要分为6类,其中以CcWRKY15、CcWRKY25、CcWRKY37和CcWRKY42为主要成员的D类结构最稳定。(2)保守结构域及进化树分析结果显示,中粒咖啡WRKY基因家族含有49个成员,其中的10个成员归为WRKY第Ⅰ家族,34个成员归为WRKY第Ⅱ家族,5个成员归为WRKY第Ⅲ家族。(3)中粒咖啡 WRKY47基因与其他物种的系统进化分析结果显示,WRKY47与烟草亲缘关系最近,与非洲油棕(Elaeis guineensis)亲缘关系最远,说明WRKY47蛋白在生物进化过程中比较保守。该研究结果可为中粒咖啡WRKY基因家族分子功能的深层次研究提供一定的借鉴作用,对进一步探究中粒咖啡WRKY基因的功能、进化以及分子育种具有重要意义。     

葡萄CBF4基因生物信息学及其对低温和硅酸钾响应分析

为探究葡萄CBF4基因的结构和表达特征,该研究以葡萄为材料,对葡萄 CBF4基因进行生物信息学及低温和硅酸钾响应分析。结果表明:(1)CBF4蛋白定位在细胞核,有5个磷酸化位点和14个糖基化位点,无信号肽,是一个亲水的、脂溶性较差的膜外蛋白。二级结构以无规则卷曲为主,比例为56.88%。该蛋白包含一个AP2/EREBP结构域。(2)CBF4蛋白的多序列和系统进化分析表明酿酒葡萄与美洲葡萄的同源性最高、亲缘关系最近。(3)荧光定量 PCR 分析显示,低温胁迫后CBF4基因在葡萄叶片中表达水平上调,说明CBF4基因可能参与了葡萄叶片低温胁迫的响应。低温条件下,施加硅酸钾CBF4基因表达具有差异性,说明该基因在不同的葡萄组织中对硅酸钾的响应机制可能不同。以上结果为进一步研究葡萄CBF4基因的功能和机理奠定了基础。     

Molecular diagnosis of begomovirus associated with Chilli leaf curl disease in Jeddah,Saudi Arabia

Chilli (Capsicum annum L.) is well known as ‘wonder spice’. This is a very valuable cash crop grown as a vegetable globally. Chilli leaf curl disease is a major threat and global concern for the cultivation of Chilli by farmers and growers. In this work, the molecular diagnosis, genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationship, and begomovirus association with Chilli leaf curl disease have been discussed. The infected leaves were randomly harvested from the Chilli field, at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A group of begomovirus vector, whiteflies were also observed on the Chilli crop and infected weeds growing in the neighboring field. The begomovirus was confirmed by coat protein gene specific primer, dot blot hybridization, sequencing and sequence analysis. The full coat protein gene was found to have 774 nucleotides. The nucleotide sequences analysis shared the highest identity with Tomato yellow leaf curl virus reported earlier infecting tomato from Saudi Arabia, and the lowest identity was observed with Tomato yellow leaf curl virus Oman isolate. The overall sequence identity ranged from more than ninety percent among the analyzed sequences. The phylogenetic relationship analysis formed the major three clusters and showed the closed clustering with Tomato yellow leaf curl virus isolates. The natural spread of the Tomato yellow leaf curl virus on the Chilli crop from other crops poses an important and serious threat to Chili cultivation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Based on the literature review and current evidence, this is the first report of leaf curl disease of Chilli from Saudi Arabia.     

Tomato yellow leaf curl viruses: ménage à trois between the virus complex,the plant and the whitefly vector

Tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD) is one of the most devastating viral diseases affecting tomato crops in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions of the world. Here, we focus on the interactions through recombination between the different begomovirus species causing TYLCD, provide an overview of the interactions with the cellular genes involved in viral replication, and highlight recent progress on the relationships between these viruses and their vector, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Taxonomy: The tomato yellow leaf curl virus‐like viruses (TYLCVs) are a complex of begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae, genus Begomovirus) including 10 accepted species: Tomato yellow leaf curl Axarquia virus (TYLCAxV), Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV), Tomato yellow leaf curl Guangdong virus (TYLCGuV), Tomato yellow leaf curl Indonesia virus (TYLCIDV), Tomato yellow leaf curl Kanchanaburi virus (TYLVKaV), Tomato yellow leaf curl Malaga virus (TYLCMalV), Tomato yellow leaf curl Mali virus (TYLCMLV), Tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus (TYLCSV), Tomato yellow leaf curl Thailand virus (TYLCTHV), Tomato yellow leaf curl Vietnam virus (TYLCVNV) and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus(TYLCV). We follow the species demarcation criteria of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), the most important of which is an 89% nucleotide identity threshold between full‐length DNA‐A component nucleotide sequences for begomovirus species. Strains of a species are defined by a 93% nucleotide identity threshold. Host range: The primary host of TYLCVs is tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), but they can also naturally infect other crops [common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum), chilli pepper (C. chinense) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)], a number of ornamentals [petunia (Petunia×hybrida) and lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflora)], as well as common weeds (Solanum nigrum and Datura stramonium). TYLCVs also infect the experimental host Nicotiana benthamiana. Disease symptoms: Infected tomato plants are stunted or dwarfed, with leaflets rolled upwards and inwards; young leaves are slightly chlorotic; in recently infected plants, fruits might not be produced or, if produced, are small and unmarketable. In common bean, some TYLCVs produce the bean leaf crumple disease, with thickening, epinasty, crumpling, blade reduction and upward curling of leaves, as well as abnormal shoot proliferation and internode reduction; the very small leaves result in a bushy appearance.     

Occurrence of whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses in crops in Burkina Faso, and their serological detection and differentiation

Whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses were found to be associated with four diseases of crop plants in Burkina Faso: cassava mosaic, okra leaf curl, tobacco leaf curl and tomato yellow leaf curl. Tomato yellow leaf curl is an economically serious disease, reaching a high incidence in March, following a peak population of the vector whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, in December. Okra leaf curl is also a problem in the small area of okra grown in the dry season but is not important in the main period of okra production in the rainy season. The geminiviruses causing these four diseases, African cassava mosaic (ACMV), okra leaf curl (OLCV), tobacco leaf curl (TobLCV) and tomato yellow leaf curl (TYLCV) viruses, were each detected in field-collected samples by triple antibody sand-wich-ELISA with cross-reacting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to ACMV. Epitope profiles obtained by testing each virus isolate with panels of MAbs to ACMV, OLCV and Indian cassava mosaic virus enabled four viruses to be distinguished. ACMV and OLCV had similar but distinguishable profiles. The epitope profile of TobLCV was the same as that of one form of TYLCV (which may be the same virus) and was close to the profile of TYLCV from Sardinia. The other form of TYLCV reacted with several additional MAbs and had an epitope profile close to that of TYLCV from Senegal. Only minor variations within each of these four types of epitope profile were found among geminivirus isolates from Burkina Faso. Sida acuta is a wild host of OLCV.     

Detection and relationships of cotton leaf curl virus and allied whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses occurring in Pakistan

A stock culture of cotton leaf curl virus from Pakistan (CLCuV-PK), was transmitted by whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) to seven plant species, including French bean, okra, tobacco and tomato, and caused vein thickening and leaf curl symptoms. It was readily detected in triple antibody sandwich ELISA (TAS-ELIS A) by 11 out of 31 monoclonal antibodies raised against the particles of three other geminiviruses: African cassava mosaic, Indian cassava mosaic and okra leaf curl viruses. Reaction strength was enhanced when the tissue extraction fluid contained sodium sulphite. Minor variations in epitope profile were found among virus isolates from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) collected from different districts in Pakistan over a 5-year period. These epitope profiles were distinguishable from that of cotton leaf curl virus from G. barbadense in southern India but indistinguishable from the profiles of viruses causing yellow vein disease of okra in India or Pakistan, or leaf curl of okra {Abelmoschus esculentus), Hibiscus tiliaceus, radish or sunflower in Pakistan, suggesting that these plants are putative natural hosts of CLCuV-PK. The viruses in cotton, and in okra with leaf curl or yellow vein symptoms, were also detected by PCR with three pairs of CLCuV-PK-specific primers. Five additional whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses were found among isolates from 11 other naturally-infected species in Pakistan, and were distinguished by their epitope profiles. These viruses were associated, respectively, with tobacco leaf curl, squash yellow blotch, tomato yellow leaf curl, watermelon leaf crinkle and soybean yellow mosaic diseases. The first four of these viruses were detected readily by PCR with geminivirus general primers but only weakly, if at all, with two pairs of CLCuV-PK-specific primers. Pakistani crops are infected with a range of distinguishable but relatively closely related whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses, some of which resemble those found in India.     

Begomoviruses Associated with Leaf Curl Disease of Tomato in Java,Indonesia*

We report that several begomoviruses are associated with tomato leaf curl disease in Java, Indonesia. Tomato plants with leaf curl symptoms were collected from Bandung (west Java), Purwokerto (central Java), Magelang (central Java) and Malang (east Java) of Indonesia, the major tomato‐growing areas of the country. Viruses were detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with universal primers for the genus Begomovirus. PCR‐amplified fragments were cloned and sequenced. Based on sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analyses, the viruses were divided into three groups. With respect to amino acid (aa) identities of the N‐terminal halves of the coat proteins compared in this study, group I was most closely related to Ageratum yellow vein virus (AYVV) (97%), Ageratum yellow vein China virus‐[Hn2] (AYVCNV‐[Hn2]) (96%) and Ageratum yellow vein virus‐[Taiwan] (AYVV‐[Tai]) (95%), and ageratum‐infecting begomovirus from Java (99%). Group II had high sequence identity with a tentative species of tomato leaf curl Java virus (ToLCJAV) (96% aa) for the CP. Group III was most closely related to a proposed species of Pepper yellow leaf curl Indonesia virus (PepYLCIDV) (90% aa identity) by its partial CP sequence.     

Pyramiding Ty-1/Ty-3 and Ty-2 in tomato hybrids dramatically inhibits symptom expression and accumulation of tomato yellow leaf curl disease inducing viruses

Tomato yellow leaf curl disease is a major constraint for tomato production worldwide and availability of new resistant materials is of great importance for breeding programmes. A phenotypic survey was undertaken to evaluate the level of resistance to the main tomato yellow leaf curl disease-inducing viruses Tomato yellow leaf curl virus and Tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus, in several commercial tomato cultivars, never characterised before. Seven weeks post inoculation, two cultivars resulted in high resistant phenotypes to both begomoviruses, and four were tolerant to at least one of them. In the two highly resistant hybrids (SJ12, RFT112), symptoms were completely absent and viral DNA was from 10² to 10⁵ fold lower than in susceptible plants. Molecular marker analysis revealed that these genotypes harbour the resistant genes Ty-1/Ty-3 and Ty-2. Given their high resistance, they can be considered good candidates for cultivation and breeding in areas where incidence of TYLCD is very elevated.     

First Report of a Croton yellow vein mosaic virus (CYVMV) Associated with Tomato Leaf Curl Disease in India

Leaf curl disease symptoms were observed in tomato crop grown in a tomato field at Matera district of Bahraich, India, in March 2013 with an 85% disease incidence. The infected plants exhibited leaf curl symptoms accompanied with puckering, vein swelling and stunting of the whole plant. PCR carried out with begomovirus coat protein gene and DNA beta‐specific primer sets resulted in positive amplification of ~775 bp and 1.35 kbp, respectively, with all symptom‐bearing plant samples. BLASTn and phylogenetic analyses of CP gene sequences showed highest and close relationship with Croton yellow vein mosaic virus (CYVMV) isolates, while the phylogenetic study of betasatellite sequence showed distinct relationships with other begomovirus associated betasatellites reported from India and abroad. This is a first report of a CYVMV associated with tomato leaf curl disease in India.     

Detection of three whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses occurring in Europe by tests with heterologous monoclonal antibodies

Selected monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), prepared to particles of African cassava mosaic or Indian cassava mosaic geminiviruses, detected three geminiviruses that occur in Europe: abutilon mosaic virus in Abutilon pictum ‘Thompsonii’, tobacco leaf curl virus in Lonicera japonica var. aureo-reticulata and tomato yellow leaf curl virus in Lycopersicon esculentum. All three viruses were detected in indirect ELISA by MAbs SCR 17 and SCR 20 but they were differentiated by their reactions with SCR 18 and SCR 23. Tobacco leaf curl virus was detected only when reducing agents were included in the leaf extraction medium. Inclusion of sodium sulphite slightly improved detection of tomato yellow leaf curl virus but reducing agents were not needed for detection of abutilon mosaic virus.     

Truncated Rep gene originated from Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Israel [Mild] confers strain-specific resistance in transgenic tomato

Transgenic tomato plants carrying a truncated replication associated protein (T‐Rep) gene of the mild strain of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus‐Israel (TYLCV‐Is [Mild]) were prepared. The transgene encoding the first 129 amino acids of Rep conferred resistance only against the virus strain from which it was derived, while these plants were susceptible to the severe strain of TYLCV‐Is. This strain‐specific effect may be the result of high sequence divergence within the N‐terminal domains of the Rep genes of the two virus isolates which share a mere 78% sequence identity at the nucleotide level and 77% at the amino acid level. Although the transgenic tomato plants were totally resistant to whitefly inoculation with the mild strain of TYLCV‐Is, agroinoculation with the same virus strain resulted in variable resistance responses in the tested plants: while 21% of plants were totally immune to the virus, 33% were susceptible and 46% expressed a wide range of intermediate resistance characteristics. The applicability of TYLCV‐Is derived resistance in tomato is discussed.