Engineering virus resistance in agricultural crops

Plant viral genomes are relatively small and in the past decade many have been characterized at the molecular level. This has prompted research into the development of virus resistance based on interference with the viral multiplication cycle by the introduction of viral sequences into the plant genome. Several strategies have been tested. The most successful one so far involves the constitutive expression of the coat protein gene of the virus against which resistance is desired. In this review we describe progress made in engineering virus resistance into potato, an important agricultural crop. To this end the molecular structure of the potato viruses X and Y and leafroll is discussed as well as the introduction of resistance against potato virus X into potato. In addition, we address the question of preservation of cultivar-specific characteristics, an important prerequisite for commercial application. Finally, recent investigations for alternative forms of virus resistance are described against the background of the results of coat protein-mediated protection.