# Patent

## Title
Resistance in plants to infection by ssDNA virus using inoviridae virus ssDNA-binding protein, compositions and methods of use

## Abstract

The invention describes methods for producing plant resistance to a ssDNA virus, particularly a geminivirus such as mastrevirus, curtovirus or begomovirus. The method comprises introducing a ssDNA-binding protein of the Inoviridae virus into the plant, and includes a phage coat protein, particularly, a coliphage gene 5 protein. The invention also describes a transgenic plant comprising a gene that expresses the ssDNA-binding protein and vectors for expressing the protein in plants.

## Background
This application is a 371 of PCT/US99/04716, filed Mar. 3, 1999, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/076,627, filed Mar. 3, 1998, now abandoned.


This invention was made with government support under Contract No. 2630152-1-3036-00 by the Agency for International Development. The government has certain rights in the invention.


TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates methods and compositions for producing plants which are resistant to infection by plant viruses.
BACKGROUND
Geminiviruses are plant pathogens that cause significant yield losses in crop plants in many countries of the world (Briddon et al, “Geminiviridae”, p. 158-165. In F. A. Murphy (ed.), Virus Taxonomy, Sixth Report of International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, Springer-Verlag, Vienna & New York, 1995; Frischmuth et al, Semin. Virol., 4:329-337, 1993; Harrison et al, Ann. Rev. Phytopathol., 23:55-82, 1985; Polston et al, Plant Dis., 81:1358-1369, 1997). Different members are transmitted by whiteflies or leafhoppers (Davies et al, Genet., 5:77-81, 1989; Lazarowitz et al, Crit. Rev. Plant Sci., 11:327-349, 1992). Most of the whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses (WTGs) have bipartite genomes while all the leafhopper-transmitted geminiviruses and some of the WTGs have monopartite genomes. The monopartite genomes (2566-3028 nt) encode proteins required for replication, encapsidation and movement, while in the case of the bipartite viruses the movement functions are encoded by a second genome component of similar size (Davies et al, Genet., 5:77-81, 1989; Ingham et al, Virology, 207:191-204, 1995; Timmermans et al, Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol., 45:79-112, 1994).
Geminiviruses have circular single-stranded (ss) DNA genomes encapsidated in double icosahedral particles. Geminiviruses replicate via a rolling circle mechanism analogous to replication of bacteriophages with ssDNA genomes. The incoming geminivirus single-stranded (ss) DNA is converted by host enzymes to double-stranded (ds) DNA which in turn serves as a template for transcription of early, replication associated genes on the complementary-sense strand. Replication initiator protein (Rep or AC1) is the only viral protein required for replication. In bipartite geminiviruses, a second protein (AC3) enhances replication. AC2, another early gene product, transactivates expression of the coat protein (CP) gene on the virion-sense strand. While the CP is not required for replication of the virus in protoplasts or plants, mutations in CP lead to dramatic decreases in accumulation of ssDNA in protoplasts or plants without affecting the accumulation of dsDNA. On the other hand, tomato golden mosaic virus CP mutations had no effect on DNA accumulation in plants, but reduced ssDNA accumulation while increasing the dsDNA accumulation in protoplasts. In plants, lack of CP results in a complete loss of infectivity of monopartite viruses but not bipartite viruses.
Coat protein may influence the ratios of ss and dsDNA levels in a passive manner by depleting the ssDNA that is available for conversion to dsDNA through encapsidation, or by modulating ssDNA synthesis, or both. No evidence is available for how CP influences ssDNA accumulation in geminiviruses. In tomato leaf curl virus from New Delhi (ToLCV-NbE, hereafter referred as ToLCV), a geminivirus with bipartite genome, disrupting the synthesis of wild type CP resulted in drastic reduction in ssDNA and a three to five fold increase in dsDNA accumulation in infected protoplasts. Inoculated plants, however, develop severe symptoms and accumulate wild type levels of dsDNA and low levels of ssDNA.
There remains a need to better understand the role of CP in geminivirus replication.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
We have now discovered that a heterologous ssDNA binding protein can complement CP function in geminivirus ssDNA accumulation. It is also discovered that ToLCV modified to express the ssDNA binding gene 5 protein (g5p) from E. coli phage M13 in place of CP accumulates ssDNA to wild type levels in protoplasts, but fails to move efficiently in plants, providing key insight into the present invention. Exemplary heterologous ssDNA-binding proteins are found in the Inoviridae virus family.
Thus, in one embodiment, the invention describes a method for producing in a plant resistance to a single stranded DNA (ssDNA) virus comprising introducing a ssDNA-binding protein of the Inoviridae virus family into the plant. The Inoviridae family virus ssDNA-binding protein is selected from the group consisting of the Inovirus and Plectrovirus genuses, and the Inovirus genus virus is selected from the group consisting of Coliphage, enterobacteria phage, Pseudomonas phage, Vibrio phage and Xanthomonas phage species. A preferred Coliphage species of virus is selected from the group consisting of AE2, dA, Ec9, f1, fd, HR, M13, ZG/2 and ZJ/2 coliphages, with a coat protein or a gene 5 protein being more preferred. Particularly preferred is the Coliphage M13 gene 5 protein.
The method of introduction of the ssDNA-binding protein into the plant can include producing a transgenic plant containing an expression vector for expressing the protein, contacting a plant with an expression vector for expressing the protein, infecting the plant with a carrier vector, such as an Agrobacterium vector, and the like methods.
The invention also describes a DNA expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a ssDNA-binding protein of the Inoviridae virus family, wherein the vector is capable of expressing the protein in plants. The vector is used in the methods described herein.
Also described is a composition for producing resistance to a ssDNA virus that infects plants comprising an effective amount of a DNA expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a ssDNA-binding protein of the Inoviridae virus family, wherein the vector is capable of expressing the protein in the plant. In preferred embodiments, the vector is a carrier vector which can infect the plant. A particularly preferred vector is an Agrobacterium vector.
The invention also contemplates a transgenic plant containing a DNA expression vector of this invention, which is resistant to ssDNA virus infection due to the expression of a ssDNA binding protein as described herein.
Other embodiments will be apparent from the teachings of the specification and the claims.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates the genome organization and schematic representation of constructs of tomato leaf curl virus from New Delhi (ToLCV-Nde). FIG. 1A illustrates the genome organization of ToLCV-Nde showing the ORFs and their functions. CR, common region for both components. FIG. 1B illustrates a linear physical map of AV2 and CP region of ToLCV-Nde is shown at the bottom with nucleotide positions and relevant restriction enzyme sites. The positions of different gene replacements are shown above the linear map. Note that the gene replacements shown are not to the scale. Descriptions of the constructs are given in Table 1.
FIG. 2 illustrates replication of ToLCV constructs in infected BY2 protoplasts. Southern blot analysis was performed as described in the Examples. The viral constructs used for infecting protoplasts are shown above the lanes. Protoplasts were inoculated with A component DNA alone (lanes 1-11) or coinoculated with A and B component DNAs (lanes 12-15). Each lane contained 4 μg of DNA prepared from protoplasts (single transfection). Viral DNA was detected using a radioactively-labeled probe from A component DNA. The position of supercoiled (sc), single-stranded (ss), open circular (op), and linear (li) viral DNA forms are indicated. Note that the positions of supercoiled and other viral DNA forms in lane 11 are shifted upwards due to larger size of the CP66:6G:BC1 construct.
FIG. 3 illustrates indirect immunofluorescence of proteins expressed in protoplasts (FIGS. 3A-3G) and fluorescence of green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressed in plants (FIGS. 3H-3P). Protoplasts were transfected and antigens were visualized with different antibodies and FITC- or rhodamine-conjugated secondary antibody. GFP fluorescence in plants was monitored every three days for 15 days and the area shown corresponds to 2.5×2.5 mm of leaf area. (FIG. 3A) Protoplast infected with CP66:Stag:6G:g5 virus and stained with S-protein coupled to FITC. (FIG. 3B) Protoplast infected with wild type virus and stained with anti-CP antisera. (FIG. 3C) Protoplast infected with CP66:GUS virus and stained with anti-GUS antisera. (FIG. 3D) Protoplast infected with g5:GUSAV2−CP− virus and stained with anti-GUS antisera. (FIG. 3E) Protoplast infected with GUSAV2−CP− virus and stained with anti-GUS antisera. (FIG. 3F) Protoplast infected with FBV1AV2−CP− virus and stained with anti-Flag antibody. (FIG. 3G) Protoplasts infected with TBC1AV2−CP− virus and stained with anti-T7 tag antibody. Note that two cells are shown in this micrograph. Inoculated leaf (FIG. 3H) and systemic leaf (FIG. 3I) of a plant infected with GFPAV2−CP−+CP66:g5− viruses 6 days post inoculation (dpi). Inoculated leaf (FIG. 3J) and systemic leaf (FIG. 3K) of a plant infected with GFPAV2−CP−+CP66:g5− viruses 15 dpi. Inoculated leaf (FIG. 3L) and systemic leaf (FIG. 3M) of a plant infected with GFPAV2−CP−+CP66:6G:g5 viruses 6 dpi. Inoculated leaf (FIG. 3N) and systemic leaves (FIGS. 3O and 3P) of a plant infected with GFPAV2−CP− +CP66:6G:g5 viruses 15 dpi.
FIG. 4 illustrates in vivo binding of gene 5 protein to ToLCV-Nde DNA. (FIG. 4A) Flag epitope-tagged CP66:6G:g5 protein expressed in protoplasts was immunoprecipitated with anti-Flag antibody coupled to agarose after lysing protoplasts in NP40 buffer containing different concentrations of NaCl (shown above the lanes) or RIPA buffer, and the immunoprecipitated protein was detected on a western blot with anti-Flag antibody (lanes 2-6). Lane 1 contained proteins immunoprecipitated from protoplasts transfected with wild type virus as a control. The protein band present in all lanes at −24 kDa is the light chain of anti-Flag antibody used for immunoprecipitations. The immunoprecipitated CP66:6G:g5 protein was detected at two different molecular masses corresponding to monomer and dimer forms. Positions of molecular weight markers are indicated in kilodaltons on the left. (FIG. 4B) Viral ssDNA that coimmunoprecipitated with the Flag epitope-tagged CP66:6G:g5 protein was detected on a Southern blot using 32P-labeled A component DNA as a probe. Lanes 1-7 have same treatments as shown in FIG. 4A.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention is based on the discovery that ssDNA-binding protein of the Inoviridae family of viruses interferes with virus spread during the infection process of plant viruses of the ssDNA type. By inhibiting virus spread, the virus infection is reduced and/or blocked, thereby increasing plant “resistance” to the virus infection.
The invention describes methods for inhibiting ssDNA plant viruses using Inoviridae family virus ssDNA binding protein, expression vectors capable of expressing the binding protein in plants, compositions for delivery of the expression vectors, and transgenic plants containing genes capable of expressing the binding protein.
A. Methods for Inhibiting ssDNA Plant Viruses
The invention contemplates methods for producing in a plant resistance to infection and/or virulence of a single stranded DNA (ssDNA) virus. The method comprises introducing a ssDNA-binding protein from the Inoviridae family virus into a susceptible plant.
The ssDNA-binding protein is typically provided by expression of a nucleotide sequence which encodes the ssDNA-binding protein and which contains expression control elements which provide for expression of protein in plants.
Introduction of the protein into the plant can be accomplished by a variety of methods including standard gene transfer methods, innoculation of the plant with a transfer or carrier vector (i.e., infection by an engineered plant virus or phage), “biolistic” (i.e., ballistic) introduction of nucleic acids into mature plant tissue, direct DNA uptake into plant protoplast, transformation of plants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens-based vectors, and the like well known methods.
Plant expression elements for a nucleotide sequence are generally well known in the art and are not to be considered limiting to the invention. The nucleotide sequence which encodes the ssDNA-binding protein can be present on an expression vector, as a DNA fragment, or as a component of a “transfer” or carrier vector such as the infectious Agrobacterium gene transfer system commonly used in plants.
A preferred ssDNA-binding protein is an Inoviridae family virus protein having the ability to bind ssDNA. The preferred protein is either the viral coat protein or the viral “gene 5” protein. Although whole (i.e., native) protein can be used, portions of the whole protein can also be used that contain the ssDNA binding portion of the protein. In addition, it is understood that modifications to the amino acid residue sequence of a native protein can be made without compromising the essential functional properties of the protein according to the invention. Thus, the term “ssDNA-binding protein” means any of a variety of configuration of protein including active fragments, fusion proteins containing an active fragment, whole protein, and derivatives thereof which possess the ssDNA binding activity.
The ability to bind ssDNA can be readily measured by art-recognized procedures, including the binding methods described herein. Thus, the invention is not to be construed as so limited so long as the ssDNA-binding protein has the ability to bind plant viral ssDNA as described herein, and inhibit virus replication and/or viral pathogenesis.
The Inoviridae family of viruses is a large family that includes the Inovirus and Plectrovirus genera. Preferred Inovirus species include Coliphage, enterobacteria phage, Pseudomonas phage, Vibrio phage and Xanthomonas phage species. Preferred Coliphage species include AE2, dA, Ec9, f1, fd, HR, M13, ZG/2 and ZJ/2 coliphages. A particularly preferred protein is the Coliphage M13 gene 5 protein.
In preferred embodiments, the Coliphage M13 gene 5 protein has the amino acid residue sequence shown in SEQ ID NO 1.
In a related embodiment, the method comprises introducing the ssDNA-binding protein by preparing a transgenic plant which comprises a gene capable of expressing the protein, and thereby providing plant resistance to the ssDNA plant virus. The methods for preparing a transgenic plant capable of expressing an foreign protein such as the ssDNA-binding protein of this invention are described further herein.
In a further related embodiment, the methods comprises introducing the ssDNA-binding protein by contacting the plant with a composition containing an expression vector capable of expressing the protein in the plant. Methods for preparing and using an expression vector in a composition according to the invention are described further herein.
In the various nucleic acid-based methods in which a nucleotide sequence encodes the ssDNA-binding protein and is capable of expressing the protein, it is understood that the nucleotide sequence can vary in content so long a contemplated ssDNA-binding protein is encoded. For example, the genetic code tolerates variation in codon usage for encoding an amino acid residue sequence, and therefore the invention is not to be construed as limited to a particular nucleotide sequence. However, it is also understood that an expression environment, e.g., the plant cell, has codon usage preferences, and therefore it is desirable to utilize the preferred codons to optimize expression of expressible genes in plants.
In this regard, a preferred nucleotide sequence for use in an expression vector or transgenic plant of this invention can utilize preferred codons. A particularly preferred nucleotide sequence for use in the present invention encodes an M13 gene 5 protein, preferably the amino acid residue sequence shown in SEQ ID NO 1. In one embodiment, a preferred nucleotide sequence comprises the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO 2 which is the native nucleotide sequence from the M13 viral genome encoding the native M13 gene 5 protein. In another embodiment, a preferred nucleotide sequence comprises the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO 3 which is a synthetic nucleotide sequence designed to incorporate preferred codon usages for highly expressed human genes, and which encodes the native M13 gene 5 protein.
The complete sequence of bacteriophage M13, including the gene 5 coding sequence, is available from GenBank as Accession numbers V00604, J02461 and M10377. The amino acid residue sequence and nucleotide sequence encoding M13 gene 5 is shown in SEQ ID Nos 1 and 2, respectively.
The introduced protein is effective at inhibiting infection of any ssDNA virus that infects plants. Preferred viruses are the Geminiviridae family of viruses, which includes Mastrevirus, Curtovirus and Begomovirus genera.
Preferred Mastrevirus genus species are selected from the group consisting of Bajra streak virus, Bean yellow dwarf virus, Bromus striate mosaic virus, Chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus, Chloris striate mosaic virus, Digitaria streak virus, Digitaria striate mosaic virus, Maize streak virus//Ethiopia, Maize streak virus//Ghanal, Maize streak virus//Ghana2, Maize streak virus//Kenya, Maize streak virus//Komatipoort, Maize streak virus//Malawi, Maize streak virus//Mauritius, Maize streak virus//Mozambique, Maize streak virus//Nigeria1, Maize streak virus//Nigeria2, Maize streak virus//Nigeria3, Maize streak virus//Port Elizabeth, Maize streak virus//Reunion1, Maize streak virus//Reunion2, Maize streak virus//Setaria, Maize streak virus//South Africa, Maize streak virus//Tas, Maize streak virus//Uganda, Maize streak virus//Vaalhart maize, Maize streak virus//Vaalhart wheat, Maize streak virus//Wheat-eleusian, Maize streak virus//Zaire, Maize streak virus//Zimbabwel, Maize streak virus//Zimbabwe2, Miscanthus streak virus, Panicum streak virus/Karino, Panicum streak virus/Kenya, Paspalum striate mosaic virus, Sugarcane streak virus//Egypt, Sugarcane streak virus/Natal, Sugarcane streak virus/Mauritius, Tobacco yellow dwarf virus, Wheat dwarf virus/Czech Republic [Wheat dwarf virus-CJI, WDV-CJI], Wheat dwarf virus/France and Wheat dwarf virus/Sweden.
Preferred Curtovirus genus species are selected from the group consisting of Beet curly top virus-California, Beet curly top virus-California//Logan, Beet curly top virus-CFH, Beet curly top virus//Iran, Beet curly top virus-Worland, Horseradish curly top virus, Tomato leafroll virus and Tomato pseudo-curly top virus.
Preferred Begomovirus genus species are selected from the group consisting of Abutilon mosaic virus, Acalypha yellow mosaic virus, African cassava mosaic virus//Ghana, African cassaya mosaic virus/Kenya, African cassaya mosaic virus/Nigeria, African cassaya mosaic virus/Uganda, Ageratum yellow vein virus, Althea rosea enation virus, Asystasia golden mosaic virus, Bean calico mosaic virus, Bean dwarf mosaic virus, Bean golden mosaic virus-Brazil, Bean golden mosaic virus-Puerto Rico, Bean golden mosaic virus-Puerto Rico/Dominican Rep. [Bean golden mosaic virus-Dominican Rep., BGMV-DR], Bean golden mosaic virus-Puerto Rico/Guatemala [Bean golden mosaic virus-Guatemala, BGMV-GA], Bhendi yellow vein mosaic virus, Chino del tomate virus [Tomato leaf crumple virus, TLCrV], Cotton leaf crumple virus, Cotton leaf curl virus-India, Cotton leaf curl virus-Pakistan1/Faisalabad1 [Cotton leaf curl virus-Pakistan2], Cotton leaf curl virus-Pakistan1/Faisalabad2 [Cotton leaf curl virus-Pakistan3], Cotton leaf curl virus-Pakistan1/Multan [Cotton leaf curl virus-Pakistan1], Cotton leaf curl virus-Pakistan2/Faisalabad [Pakistani cotton leaf curl virus], Cowpea golden mosaic virus, Croton yellow vein mosaic virus//Lucknow, Dolichos yellow mosaic virus, East african cassaya mosaic virus/Kenya, East african cassaya mosaic virus/Malawi, East african cassaya mosaic virus/Tanzania, East african cassaya mosaic virus/Uganda//1 [African cassaya mosaic virus-Uganda variant], East african cassaya mosaic virus/Uganda//2, Eclipta yellow vein virus, Eggplant yellow mosaic virus, Eupatorium yellow vein virus, Euphorbia mosaic virus, Honeysuckle yellow vein mosaic virus, Horsegram yellow mosaic virus, Indian cassaya mosaic virus, Jatropha mosaic virus, Leonurus mosaic virus, Limabean golden mosaic virus, Lupin leaf curl virus, Macroptilium golden mosaic virus-Jamaica//2, Macroptilium golden mosaic virus-Jamaica//3, Macrotyloma mosaic virus, Malvaceous chlorosis virus, Melon leaf curl virus, Mungbean yellow mosaic virus, Okra leaf curl virus//Ivory Coast, Okra leaf curl virus//India, Papaya leaf curl virus, Pepper huasteco virus, Pepper golden mosaic virus, [Texas pepper virus], Pepper mild tigrA virus, Potato yellow mosaic virus//Guadeloupe, Potato yellow mosaic virus/Trinidad and Tobago, Potato yellow mosaic virus/Venezuela, Pseuderanthemum yellow vein virus, Rhynchosia mosaic virus, Serrano golden mosaic virus, Sida golden mosaic virus/Costa Rica, Sida golden mosaic virus/Honduras, Sida golden mosaic virus/Honduras//Yellow vein, Sida yellow vein virus, Solanum apical leaf curl virus, Soybean crinkle leaf virus, Squash leaf curl virus, Squash leaf curl virus/Extended host, Squash leaf curl virus/Restricted host, Squash leaf curl virus/Los Mochis, Squash leaf curl virus-China, Tomato golden mosaic virus/Common strain, Tomato golden mosaic virus/Yellow vein strain, Tobacco leaf curl virus//India, Tobacco leaf curl virus-China, Tomato leaf curl virus//Solanum species D1, Tomato leaf curl virus//Solanum species D2, Tomato leaf curl virus-Australia, Tomato leaf curl virus-Bangalore1 [Indian tomato leaf curl virus-BangaloreI], Tomato leaf curl virus-Bangalore2, [Indian tomato leaf curl virus, ItoLCV], Tomato leaf curl virus-Bangalore3 [Indian tomato leaf curl virus-BangaloreII], Tomato leaf curl virus-New Delhi/Severe [Tomato leaf curl virus-India2, ToLCV-IN1], Tomato leaf curl virus-New Delhi/Mild [Tomato leaf curl virus-India2, ToLCV-IN2], Tomato leaf curl virus-New Delhi/Lucknow [Indian tomato leaf curl virus], Tomato leaf curl virus//Senegal, Tomato leaf curl virus-Sinaloa [Sinaloa tomato leaf curl virus, STLCV], Tomato leaf curl virus-Taiwan, Tomato leaf curl virus-Tanzania, Tomato mottle virus, Tomato mottle virus-Taino [Taino tomato mottle virus, TTMoV], Tomato severe leaf curl virus//Guatemala, Tomato severe leaf curl virus//Honduras, Tomato severe leaf curl virus//Nicaragua, Tomato yellow dwarf virus, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-China, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Israel, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Israel/Mild, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Israel/Egypt, [Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Egypt, TYLCV-EG], Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Israel//Cuba, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Israel//Jamaica, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Israel//Saudi Arabia1, [Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Northern Saudi Arabia, TYLCV-NSA], Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Nigeria, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Sardinia, Tomato yellow leaf curl, virus-Sardinia/Sicily [Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Sicily, TYLCV-SY], Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Sardinia/Spain//1[Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Spain, TYLCV-Sp], Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Sardinia/Spain//2 [Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Almeria, TYLCV-Almeria], Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Sardinia/Spain//3 [Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-European strain], Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Saudi Arabia [Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Southern Saudi Arabia, TYLCV-SSA], Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Tanzania, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Thailand//1, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Thailand//2, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus//Yemen, Tomato yellow mosaic virus-Brazil//1, Tomato yellow mosaic virus-Brazil//2, Tomato yellow mottle virus, Tomato yellow vein streak virus-Brazil, Watermelon chlorotic stunt virus, Watermelon curly mottle virus and Wissadula golden mosaic virus-Jamaica//1.
Other ssDNA plant viruses include Banana bunchy top virus, Coconut foliar decay virus, Fababean necrotic yellows virus, Milk vetch dwarf virus and Subterranean clover stunt virus.
The above described ssDNA plant viruses which can be inhibited by the present methods infect a large number of plant species. Insofar as new plant species can be discovered which are susceptible to infection by a ssDNA plant virus described according to the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be so limited to known plants. Instead, a plant according to the present methods is intended to be any plant which is susceptible to infection by the described ssDNA plant virus, which susceptibility can be readily determined by art recognized methods, including the infection procedures described herein.
The term “plant” includes whole plants, plant organs (e.g., leaves, stems, roots, etc.), seeds and plant cells and progeny of same. The class of plants which can be used in the method of the invention is generally as broad as the class of higher plants amenable to transformation techniques, including both monocotyledonous (monocots) and dicotyledonous (dicots) plants. It includes plants of a variety of ploidy levels, including polyploid, diploid and haploid.
Exemplary plants which are susceptible to infection, and therefore are targets for the treatment methods and compositions described herein include, but are not limited to, a plant is selected from the group consisting of Abutilon, Acalypha, apple, Ageratum, Althea rosea, Asystasia, Bajra, banana, barley, beans, beet, Blackgram, Bromus, Cassaya, chickpea, Chilllies, Chloris, clover, coconut, coffee, cotton, cowpea, Croton, cucumber, Digitaria, Dolichos, eggplant, Eupatorium, Euphorbia, fababean, honeysuckle, horsegram, Jatropha, Leonurus, limabean, Lupin, Macroptilium, Macrotyloma, maize, melon, millet, mungbean, oat, okra, Panicum, papaya, Paspalum, peanut, pea, pepper, pigeon pea, pineapple, Phaseolus, potato, Pseuderanthemum, pumpkin, Rhynchosia, rice, Serrano, Sida, sorghum., soybean, squash, sugarcane, sugarbeet, sunflower, sweet potato, tea, tomato, tobacco, watermelon, wheat and Wissadula, or any individual plant or combination of plants thereof.
Preferred examples of the methods of the invention are described herein using the M13 gene 5 protein expressed using a recombinant tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV) vector on tobacco plants and protoplasts. The ToLCV viral genomic nucleotide sequences for both the A and B components of the ToLCV bipartite genome are known, and are available as GenBank Accession numbers U15015 and U15016, respectively, and are shown in SEQ ID NOs 4 and 5, respectively.
B. Nucleic Acid Molecules
The invention also contemplates a nucleic acid molecule, such as a DNA expression vector, useful for expression of a ssDNA-binding protein of this invention in plants. Thus the nucleic acid molecule contains a nucleotide sequence which encodes the ssDNA-binding protein of this invention and further contains elements for regulation and control of gene expression in plants. Exemplary elements for expression in plants are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,188,642, 5,202,422, 5,463,175 and 5,639,947, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, the methods of manipulating nucleic acids and the production of expression vectors for use in plants is generally well known and therefore not to be construed as limiting to the present invention.
Exemplary expression vectors and systems for introduction of a ssDNA-binding protein into plants are described in the Examples.
Thus, in one embodiment, the invention describes a nucleic acid-based expression system comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a ssDNA-binding protein of the Inoviridae virus family, where the expression system is capable of expressing the protein in a plant susceptible to infection by a ssDNA plant virus as described herein.
The sSDNA-binding protein can be any protein as described herein and as is preferred in practicing the methods for the invention. Particularly preferred is the M13 gene 5 protein, such as the amino acid residue sequence shown in SEQ ID NO 1.
The expression system can be a vector or a gene, depending upon the contemplated usage. In the case of a transgenic plant, the invention describes a gene comprising a nucleotide sequence which defines an expression cassette, i.e., the necessary elements for expression of a ssDNA-binding protein structural gene including promoters, transcription start signals, translation start signals, the structural protein coding sequence, and translation and transcription stop sequences, as are well known. In the case of a vector or infectious agent used to introduce an expression cassette, the vector or agent comprises additional genetic elements suitable for the vector or infectious agent's function.
For example, the vector may also contain elements which provide for replication, manipulation and the like, such as in found on plasmids which facilitate bulk preparation of the vector. In the case of infectious agents, which are typically modified plant viruses or plant phage which can infect the plant, the agent may contain additional elements for replication of the agent and assembly into an infectious particle, as are well known.
A preferred expression cassette in a vector, gene or infectious agent according to the invention comprises a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NOs 2 or 3 as described herein.
For general cloning of nucleic acids, plasmids are used as are well known. A preferred cloning plasmid used herein is the pBluescript II SK vector (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.). The complete nucleotide sequence of the pBluescript plasmid is available in GenBank as Accession number X52330, and is also shown in SEQ ID NO 6.
For plant transformations, a variety of methods, vectors and agents are available, and therefore the invention is not to be construed as so limited. Exemplary methods include plant transformation, comprising direct uptake of an expression cassette nucleic acid(s) into a protoplast followed by plant regeneration to form a plant, electroporation into a protoplast, biolistic delivery of nucleic acid into either cultured plant cells or whole plant tissue, pollen-mediated transformations, infection by a recombinant virus or phage agent, such as the modified ToLCV or an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and the like. Exemplary vectors for conducting some of the above methods include pBIN19 (Bevan et al, Nucl. Acids Res., 12:8711, 1984; GenBank Accession number U09365), pMON316 or pMON available from Monsanto (St. Louis, Mo.), pGA482 (An et al, Plant Physiol., 81:86, 1986), pCGN1547 (McBride et al, Plant Mol. Biol., 14:269, 1990), pPZP100 (Ajdukiewicz et al, Plant Mol. Biol., 25:989, 1994, and GenBank Accession number U10456), pMOG410, and the like.
C. Transgenic Plants
The invention further contemplates a transgenic plant containing a nucleotide sequence of this invention for expressing the ssDNA-binding protein. The transgenic plant contains an expression cassette as defined herein as a part of the plant, the cassette having been introduced by transformation of a plant with a vector of this invention.
Methods for producing a transgenic plant useful in the present invention are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,188,642; 5,202,422; 5,234,834; 5,463,175; and 5,639,947, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Techniques for transforming a wide variety of plant species are also well known and described in the technical and scientific literature. See, for example, Weising et al, Ann. Rev. Genet., 22:421-477, 1988. A constitutive or inducible promoter is operably linked to the desired heterologous DNA sequence encoding a ssDNA-binding protein of this invention in a suitable vector. The vector comprising a promoter fused to the heterologous DNA will typically contain a marker gene which confers a selectable phenotype on plant cells. For example, the marker may encode biocide resistance, particularly antibiotic resistance, such as resistance to kanamycin, G418, bleomycin, hygromycin, or herbicide resistance, such as resistance to chlorsulfuron or Basta. Such selective marker genes are useful in protocols for the production of transgenic plants.
DNA constructs containing the expression cassette can be introduced into the genome of the desired plant host by a variety of conventional techniques. For example, the DNA construct may be introduced directly into the DNA of the plant cell using techniques such as electroporation and microinjection of plant cell protoplasts. Alternatively, the DNA constructs can be introduced directly to plant tissue using biolistic methods, such as DNA micro-particle bombardment. In addition, the DNA constructs may be combined with suitable T-DNA flanking regions and introduced into a conventional Agrobacterium tumefaciens host vector. The virulence functions of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens host will direct the insertion of the construct and adjacent marker into the plant cell DNA when the cell is infected by the bacteria.
Microinjection techniques are known in the art and well described in the scientific and patent literature. The introduction of DNA constructs using polyethylene glycol precipitation is described in Paszkowski et al, EMBO J., 3:2717-2722, 1984. Electroporation techniques are described in Fromm et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82:5824, 1985. Biolistic transformation techniques are described in Klein et al, Nature 327:70-73, 1987. The full disclosures of all references cited are incorporated herein by reference.
A variation involves high velocity biolistic penetration by small particles with the nucleic acid either within the matrix of small beads or particles, or on the surface (Klein et al, Nature, 327:70-73, 1987). Although typically only a single introduction of a new nucleic acid segment is required, this method particularly provides for multiple introductions.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens-meditated transformation techniques are well described in the scientific literature. See, for example Horsch et al, Science, 233:496-498, 1984, and Fraley et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90:4803, 1983. More specifically, a plant cell, an explant, a meristem or a seed is infected with Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformed with the segment. Under appropriate conditions known in the art, the transformed plant cells are grown to form shoots, roots, and develop further into plants. The nucleic acid segments can be introduced into appropriate plant cells, for example, by means of the Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The Ti plasmid is transmitted to plant cells upon infection by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and is stably integrated into the plant genome (Horsch et al, Science, 233:496-498, 1984; Fraley et al, Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 80:4803, 1983.
Ti plasmids contain two regions essential for the production of transformed cells. One of these, named transfer DNA (T DNA), induces tumor formation. The other, termed virulent region, is essential for the introduction of the T DNA into plants. The transfer DNA region, which transfers to the plant genome, can be increased in size by the insertion of the foreign nucleic acid sequence without its transferring ability being affected. By removing the tumor-causing genes so that they no longer interfere, the modified Ti plasmid can then be used as a vector for the transfer of the gene constructs of the invention into an appropriate plant cell, such being a “disabled Ti vector”.
All plant cells which can be transformed by Agrobacterium and whole plants regenerated from the transformed cells can also be transformed according to the invention so as to produce transformed whole plants which contain the transferred foreign nucleic acid sequence.
There are various ways to transform plant cells with Agrobacterium, including:

    
    
        (1) co-cultivation of Agrobacterium with cultured isolated protoplasts,
        (2) co-cultivation of cells or tissues with Agrobacterium, or
        (3) transformation of seeds, apices or meristems with Agrobacterium. 
    
    


Method (1) requires an established culture system that allows culturing protoplasts and plant regeneration from cultured protoplasts.
Method (2) requires (a) that the plant cells or tissues can be transformed by Agrobacterium and (b) that the transformed cells or tissues can be induced to regenerate into whole plants.
Method (3) requires micropropagation.
In the binary system, to have infection, two plasmids are needed: a T-DNA containing plasmid and a vir plasmid. Any one of a number of T-DNA containing plasmids can be used, the only requirement is that one be able to select independently for each of the two plasmids.
After transformation of the plant cell or plant, those plant cells or plants transformed by the Ti plasmid so that the desired DNA segment is integrated can be selected by an appropriate phenotypic marker. These phenotypic markers include, but are not limited to, antibiotic resistance, herbicide resistance or visual observation. Other phenotypic markers are known in the art and may be used in this invention.
The present invention embraces use of the expression vectors described herein in transformation of any plant, including both dicots and monocots. Transformation of dicots is described in references above. Transformation of monocots is known using various techniques including electroporation (e.g., Shimamoto et al, Nature, 338:274-276, 1992; ballistics (e.g., European Patent Application 270,356); and Agrobacterium (e.g., Bytebier et al, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA, 84:5345-5349, 1987).
Transformed plant cells which are derived by any of the above transformation techniques can be cultured to regenerate a whole plant which possesses the desired transformed phenotype. Such regeneration techniques rely on manipulation of certain phytohormones in a tissue culture growth medium typically relying on a biocide and/or herbicide marker which has been introduced together with the nucleotide sequences. Plant regeneration from cultured protoplasts is described in Evans et al, Handbook of Plant Cell Culture, pp. 124-176, MacMillan Publishing Company, New York, 1983; and Binding, Regeneration of Plants, Plant Protoplasts, pp. 21-73, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1985. Regeneration can also be obtained from plant callus, explants, organs, or parts thereof. Such regeneration techniques are described generally by Klee et al, Ann. Rev. Plant Phys., 38:467-486, 1987.
One of skill will recognize that, after an expression cassette is stably incorporated in transgenic plants and confirmed to be operable, it can be introduced into other plants by sexual crossing. Any of a number of standard breeding techniques can be used, depending upon the species to be crossed.
D. Compositions
Also contemplated is a composition useful for introducing a nucleotide sequence of this invention into plants. The composition is useful for producing resistance to a ssDNA virus that infects plants, and comprises an effective amount of the nucleotide sequence according to the invention for introducing the ssDNA-binding protein into a plant, and depends upon the method used for introducing the protein to the plant. For example, using direct DNA uptake by protoplast, the composition is a aqueous solution containing nucleic acid and buffers to facilitate uptake by protoplast, as is well known. For transformation by an Agrobacterium vector, the composition contains a suspension of Agrobacteria containing the nucleotide sequence capable of expressing the sSDNA-binding protein.
E. Systems for Use
The present invention also contemplates a system, preferably in kit form, useful for practicing the methods of the present invention. Thus, the kits are useful for introducing a nucleic acid sequence of the present invention into a plant as practiced in the methods of this invention.
The kit comprises, in an amount sufficient to perform at least one introduction, a composition of the present invention comprising a nucleic acid molecules which comprise a nucleotide sequence capable of expressing a ssDNA-binding protein according to the present invention, present in a packaging material or container for providing the system.
Instructions for use of the packaged reagent are also typically included in the system in the form of a label or packaging insert.
“Instructions for use” typically include a tangible expression describing the contents of the reagent(s) in the system or at least one method parameter such as the relative amounts of composition and plant to be admixed, procedures for contacting the plant, temperature, buffer conditions and the like for practicing a method of the invention. Typically, the instructions will recite the method for contacting a plant to introduce the ssDNA-binding protein of the invention into a plant, and thereby inhibit symptoms of ssDNA virus infection in the plant.
The reagent species, infectious agent, virus or phage, nucleic acid molecule or expression vector for practicing a method described herein can be provided in solution, as a liquid dispersion or as a substantially dry power, e.g., in lyophilized form.
The term “package” refers to a solid matrix or material such as glass, plastic (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene and polycarbonate), paper, foil and the like capable of holding within fixed limits a reagent such as a polynucleotide, transformation agent, infectious virus or phage of the present invention. Thus, for example, a package can be a bottle, vial, plastic and plastic-foil laminated envelope or the like container used to contain a contemplated composition.
The package can contain one or more unit dosages of the composition of the invention, or may alternatively be packaged with the composition provided in bulk.
A system of this invention may comprise a carrier means being compartmentalized to receive in close confinement one or more container means such as vials, tubes, and the like, each of the container means comprising one of the separate elements to be used in the method. For example, one of the container means may comprise a composition for infecting a plant. The kit may also have containers containing any other reagents used to practice the methods of the invention.
Other uses will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the present disclosures and the examples that follow.
EXAMPLES
The following examples are provided by way of illustration and not limitation.
1. Plasmid Constructs
Infectious clones of the A and B components of tomato leaf curl virus (Padidam et al, J. Gen. Virol., 76:25-35, 1995) were employed to generate the virus constructs used herein. The genome organization of ToLCV and schematic representation of virus constructs used are shown in FIG. 1 and the detailed descriptions and methods of construction of each of the plasmid are summarized in Table 1. Partial head to tail dimers made from these constructs were used to infect Nicotiana benthamiana plants and N. tabacum BY2 protoplasts.







TABLE 1







Description and method of construction of viral DNAs








Construct
Description and method of construction





AV2−CP−
A double mutant of AV2 and coat protein (CP) in



which Met1 codon of AV2 was changed to



termination codon and Arg66 codon of CP was frame



shifted. The mutant has been described earlier as



M1te/R66fr (Padidam et al, Virology, 224:390-404,



1996)


g5AV2−CP−
A 264-bp sequence coding for gene 5 (g5) protein



from bacteriophage M13mp18 vector was amplified



by PCR (10 cycles) and cloned between Afl III (nt



125) and Sty I (nt 479) sites resulting in



replacement of AV2 ORF and overlapping 5′ CP ORF



sequences with g5.


g5−AV2−CP−
A negative control of g5AV2−CP−construct in which



Met1 codon of g5 was mutated to a termination



codon.


CP−
A mutant of CP made by end-filling and religation



at the unique Sty I site (nt 479) causing frame



shift at Arg66 codon and termination after amino



acid (aa) 69. The mutant has been described



earlier as R66fr (Padidam et al, Virology,



224:390-404, 1996).


CP66:g5
A 264 bp sequence coding for g5 protein from



M13mp18 vector was amplified by PCR (10 cycles)



and cloned between and Sty I (nt 479) and Sph I



(nt 836) sites resulting in fusion of g5 sequence



to Arg66 codon of CP.


CP66:6G:g5
Similar to CP66:g5 except that an oligonucleotide



coding for 6 glycines was inserted between codons



for Arg66 of CP and Met1 of g5.


CP66:g5−
A negative control in which Arg66 codon of



CP66:g5 was frame shifted.


CP66:Stag:6G:g5
Similar to CP66:6G:g5 except that a sequence



coding for the 15 aa Stag peptide epitope



[KETAAAKFERQHMDS (SEQ ID NO:7); (Kim et al,



J.S., Protein Sci., 2:348-356, 1993)] was inserted after



Arg66 codon of CP. Stag epitope was inserted



to immunolocalize the CP66:6G:g5 protein in



protoplasts using the S-protein coupled to the



FITC.


FCP66:6G:g5
A sequence coding for 9 aa Flag peptide epitope



[MDYKDDDDK (SEQ ID NO:8); (Ropp et al, J.



Immunol. Methods., 88:1-18, 1986)] was added



before the Met1 codon of CP66:6G:g5 and cloned



between Afl III (nt 125) and Sph I (nt 836). AV2 ORF



is deleted in this construct. Flag epitope was added



to immunoprecipitate the CP66:6G:g5 protein from



protoplasts using the anti-Flag antibody.


CP66:GUS
A 1806-bp DNA fragment coding for β-glucuronidase



(GUS) protein (Jefferson et al, Plant Mol. Biol.



Rep., 5:387-405, 1987) was PCR amplified (10



cycles) and cloned between Sty I (nt 479) and



Hind III (nt 1041) sites of A component. The Hind



III site was created at the codon for Tyr251 of



CP [15-bp before the termination codon, (Padidam



et al, Virology, 224:390-404, 1996)]. This



facilitated replacement CP sequence with other



sequences.


GUSAV2−CP−
A 1869-bp Nco I to EcoR I DNA fragment coding for



GUS protein was cloned between Afl III (nt 125)



and Hind III (nt 1041) sites of A component after



blunt ending the EcoR I site on the GUS gene and



Hind III site on A component DNA.


GFPAV2−CP−
A 717-bp with Nco I to BamH I DNA fragment coding



for green fluorescent protein [GFP - S65C, M153T,



V163A; (Reichel et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.



USA, 93:5855-5893, 1996)] was cloned between Afl



III (nt 125) and Sph I (nt 836) sites of A



component after blunt ending the BamH I site on



the GFP gene and Sph I site on A component DNA.


BV1AV2−CP−
A 849-bp sequence coding for BV1 from B component



of ToLCV was amplified by PCR (10 cycles) and



cloned between Afl III (nt 125) and Hind III (nt



1041) sites of A component.


FBV1AV2−CP−
Similar to BV1AV2−CP− except that sequence coding



for 9 aa Flag peptide was added before the Met1



codon of BV1. Flag epitope was added to



immunolocalize the BV1 protein in protoplasts



using the anti-Flag antibody.


BC1AV2−CP−
A 882-bp sequence coding for BC1 from B component



of ToLCV was amplified by PCR (10 cycles) and



cloned between Afl III (nt 125) and Hind III (nt



1041) sites of A component.


TBC1AV2−CP−
Similar to BC1AV2−CP− except that sequence coding



for 11 aa T7 [MASMTGGQQMG (SEQ ID NO:9);



(Krek et al, Cell, 78:161-172, 1994)] epitope was



added before the Met1 codon of BC1. T7 tag epitope



was added to immunolocalize the BC1 protein in



protoplasts using the anti-T7 tag antibody.


Cp66:6G:BC1
A 900-bp sequence coding for 6 glycines and BC1



from B component of ToLCV was amplified by PCR



(10 cycles) and cloned between Sty I (nt 479) and



Hind III (nt 1041) sites.


BC1−
B component DNA in which a frame-shift mutation



of BC1 was created by deleting the 3′ overhang



and religating at the Pst I site (nt 2075)



Described earlier as BC1M (Padidam et al,



Virology, 224:390-404, 1996)









2. Protoplast and Plant Inoculations

N. benthamiana plants (two week-old seedlings grown in Magenta boxes) and protoplasts isolated from BY2 suspension cells were infected with viral DNAs as described earlier (Padidam et al, J. Gen. Virol., 76:25-35, 1995; Padidam et al, Virology, 224:390-404, 1996). Protoplasts were collected from cultures 48 h postinoculation for DNA isolation, immunoprecipitation reactions, and western blot analysis. Plants were scored for symptoms, and the newly formed upper leaves were collected for Southern blot analysis 22 to 25 days following inoculation. To study the local and systemic movement of the virus expressing green fluorescent protein [GFP; Chalfie et al, Science, 263:802-805, 1994)], bottom leaves of four-week old seedlings (10 plants per construct) were inoculated. Inoculated and upper non-inoculated leaves were observed at three day intervals for fifteen days under a fluorescence microscope for the detection of fluorescence emitted by GFP. In all experiments that involved plants, wild type B component DNA, which is essential for systemic spread and symptom development, was included.
3. Southern Blotting
Total DNA was isolated from protoplasts (Mettler et al, Plant Mol. Biol. Rep., 5:346-349, 1987) and plants (Dellaporta et al, Plant Mol. Biol. Rep., 1:19-21, 1983) and electrophoresed in 1% agarose gels (without ethidium bromide) and transferred to Hybond nylon membranes (Amersham, Arlington Heights, Ill.) using the standard protocols (Sambrook et al, Molecular Cloning: A laboratory manual., Cold Spring harbor laboratory press. Cold Spring harbor, N.Y., 1989). Hybridization reactions were performed using a randomly primed 32P-labeled A component specific probe (the 900 bp Al1 II-Pst I fragment containing ORFs AC1, AC2, and AC3). The amount of viral as and daDNA (super coiled, linear, open circular, and dimeric forms) was quantitated by exposing the Southern blots to storage phosphor screen plates and counting on a PhosphorImager (molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale, Calif.). The ssDNA form was confirmed by its susceptibility to S1 and mungbean nucleases (Padidam et al, Virology, 224:390-404, 1996). In the absence of ethidium bromide, the super coiled viral DNA form runs ahead of the ssDNA form.
4. Immunoprecipitation and Western Blotting
For immunoprecipitation reactions, protoplasts infected with the virus A component expressing CP66:6G:g5 protein tagged with Flag epitope (FCP66:6G:g5, Table 1) were lysed with a hand held polytron in NP40 buffer 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 1% NP40, with 0.15, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, or 1.0 M NaCl} or RIPA buffer [50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 150 mM NaCl, 1% NP40, 0.5% DOC, 0.1% SDS] containing a cocktail of protease inhibitors (Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, Ind.). Cell debris was removed by centrifugation at 4° C. for 10 min at 15,000×g. Lysates were immunoprecipitated with anti-Flag monoclonal M2 antibody covalently linked to agarose (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.). Immune complexes were washed four times with NP40 or RIPA buffer and once with Tris-buffered saline [50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 150 mM NaCl]. Half of each sample was heated in Laemmli sample buffer, fractionated by SDS-PAGE (13% acrylamide), and transferred to PVDF membrane (Schleicher & Schuell, Keene, N.H.). Immunoprecipitated protein was visualized with anti-Flag M2 antibody using ECL-western blot reagents (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.). The remaining half of the immune complex collected by this procedure was used for isolating the viral DNA. Whole cell protein extracts for direct western blotting were prepared by boiling the protoplast pellets with equal volume of 2×Laemmli sample buffer.
5. Immunofluorescence
Protoplasts transfected with viral constructs were cultured on chamber slides (Nalge Nunc, Rochester, N.Y.) for 48 h, fixed with 3% paraformaldehyde in PBSEM [50 mM phosphate (pH 6.95), 150 mM NaCl, 5 mM EGTA, 5 mM MgSO4] for 30 min, and permeabilized with 100% methanol at −20° C. for 10 min. The cells were washed two times with PBSEM containing 0.5% Tween 20 for 30 min. CP66:6G:g5 protein tagged with Stag epitope (CP66:Stag:6G:g5, Table 1) was detected with the S-protein coupled to FITC (Novagen, Madison, Wis.). The fifteen amino acid long Stag peptide was inserted after Arg66 of the CP to construct the CP66:Stag:6G:g5 protein. Flag epitope-tagged BV1, T7 epitope-tagged BC1, CP and β-glucuronidase (GUS) (Table 1) were detected with anti-Flag M2 antibody (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.), anti-T7 tag antibody (Novagen, Madison, Wis.), anti-CP antisera (Padidam et al, Virology, 224:390-404, 1996), and anti-GUS antisera (5′-3′, Boulder, Colo.) diluted 1:100 in PBS, respectively. After incubation in primary antibody for 1 h at 30° C., the cells were washed as before and incubated with FITC or rhodamine conjugated IgGs (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.) at a dilution of 1:100. The cells were mounted in Fluoromount G (Electron Microscopy Sciences, Fort Washington, Pa.) and viewed with a Nikon fluorescence microscope or Olympus confocal microscope (for detecting T7 epitope-tagged BC1 protein).
6. ToLCV Expressing Gene 5 Protein or CP66:6G:g5 Protein Accumulates ssDNA to Wild Type Levels in Protoplasts
Previous reports work with ToLCV have shown that viral CP and AV2 are not required for virus replication in protoplasts whereas AV2 is required for efficient movement in plants (Padidam et al, Virology, 224:390-404, 1996). Coat protein is not essential for systemic movement and symptom development in ToLCV. However, mutations in the CP sequence caused a marked decrease in ssDNA accumulation in N. bentamiana and tomato plants and in BY2 protoplasts while increasing dsDNA accumulation in protoplasts. Virus that contained mutations in the AV2 plus CP behaved like AV2 mutants in plants (i.e., poor virus movement and very mild symptoms) and like CP mutants in protoplasts (i.e., decrease in ssDNA and increase in dsDNA accumulation).
The present plasmid constructs provide information on the effects of gene 5 protein (g5p) from E. coli phage M13 (Salstrom et al, J. Mol. Biol., 61:489-501, 1971) on replication of ToLCV. Each of these mutations are described in Table 1 and FIG. 1. The AV2 and the overlapping 5′ portion of the CP ORF were replaced with the g5p and assayed its effect on virus replication in protoplasts. In these experiments protoplasts were inoculated with wild type (wt) or other mutants, as described below. The modified A component, designated g5AV2−CP−, led to accumulation of ssDNA to the same levels as did infections with wt virus A component (Table 2; FIG. 2, lanes 1 and 3). However, dsDNA accumulation was high (3 to 6 fold higher than wt levels) and similar to accumulation in virus with mutations in CP (Table 2; FIG. 2, lanes 2-4). Infection by virus in which the g5 gene was mutated to prevent its translation (g5−AV2−CP, Table 1) behaved like virus infections with A component mutants AV2−CP− and CP− (Table 2; FIG. 2, lane 4). Since AV2 is required for efficient virus movement in plants another construct was made in which g5 was fused to CP at Arg66 without affecting the AV2 ORF (CP66:g5, Table 1). CP66:g5 virus A component also led to accumulation of ssDNA, but to lower levels than g5AV2-CP DNA (Table 2; FIG. 2, lane 6). To evaluate whether the N-terminal 66 amino acids (aa) of CP interfered with the ability of g5p to bind DNA, a linker of six glycine residues was introduced between Arg66 of CP and g5 to separate the CP domain from the g5p (CP66:6G:g5). Addition of the linker restored the ability of the CP66:6G:g5 virus A component to accumulate ssDNA to levels comparable to those of g5AV2−CP− (Table 2; FIG. 2, lane 7). A control construct in which the g5 portion of the fusion protein was not translated (CP66:g5−) failed to accumulate ssDNA (Table 2; FIG. 2, lane 8). The ability of virus A component expressing CP66:6G:g5 protein to accumulate ssDNA was not due to N-terminal 66 aa of the CP was suggested by the facts that the virus A component expressing g5p alone accumulated ssDNA and the virus A components expressing CP66:6G:BC1 (see below) or CP66:6G:AV2 failed to accumulate ssDNA.







TABLE 2





Effect of gene 5 protein on replication and movement of tomato


leaf curl virus in Nicotiana tabacum protoplasts and


N. benthamiana plants







Protoplast inoculations











Virus
ssDNAa
dsDNAa

















Wild typec
100

100




AV2−CP−
<1
(0-0.03)
506
(427-584)



g5AV2−CP−
102
(79-133)
409
(349-573)



g5−AV2−CP−
7
(5-12)
384
(210-779)



CP−
5
(2-7)
241
(148-369)



CP66:g5
17
(8-27)
442
(345-576)



CP66:6G:g5
118
(34-234)
517
(133-784)



CP66:g5−
9
(3-14)
424
(179-789)











Plant inoculations









Sym-












# of plants
ptom




Virus
inoculated
type
ssDNAb
dsDNAb
















Wild typec
20
Severe
100

100



AV2−CP−
10
Very
0.3
(0.05-0.5)
11
(9.6-17)




mildd


g5AV2−CP−
20
Very
0.6
(0.1-2.7)
15.2
(6.2-49.2)




mildd


g5−AV2−CP−
20
Very
0.1
(0.0-0.2)
5.7
(0.0-11.4)




mildd


CP−
20
Severee
4.3
(2.6-6.5)
102
(65-139)


CP66:g5
20
mild
2.2
(0.8-4.2)
30.6
(15.3-








55.1)


CP66:6G:g5
30
Very
0.9
(0.4-1.7)
10.9
(5.5-14.7)




mildd


cP66:g5−
20
Severee
4.0
(1.8-6.1)
139.7
(56.0-








197.7)





aThe values represent the average amount (range) of single-stranded (ss) and double-stranded (ds) A component DNA in five independent protoplast transfections per mutant. Protoplasts ( ̃106) were transfected with 2 μg of A component DNA and 40 μg of herring sperm DNA. Viral DNA was quantitated on Southern blots using the “phosphorImager” from Molecular Dynamics. 


bThe values are average (range) amounts of viral DNA in twelve inoculated plants per virus construct except for AV2−CP−for which the values are averages of four plants. Each plant was inoculated with 0.5 μg of A and 0.5 μg of wild type B component DNA, which is essential for viral movement and symptom development. 


cThe amount of viral DNA in protoplasts and plants inoculated with the wild type viral DNA were assigned a value of 100. 


dMany plants did not show symptoms. 


eSevere symptoms like in plants inoculated with the wild type virus but without intense chlorosis. 






Geminiviruses replicate in the nucleus (Accotto et al, Virology, 195:257-259, 1993; Nagar et al, Plant Cell, 7:705-719, 1995), so it is likely that in order to cause the accumulation of ssDNA the CP66:6G:g5 and g5 proteins must be present in the nucleus. To immunolocalize the CP66:6G:g5 fusion protein in protoplasts, the Stag epitope was inserted between Arg66 of the CP and the glycine linker (CP66:Stag:6G:g5, Table 1). At 48 h after infection protoplasts were fixed and subjected to reactions with S-protein coupled to FITC. The CP66:Stag:6G:g5 protein as well as the wt CP (detected with anti-CP antisera) were localized to the nucleus (FIGS. 3A and 3B). When GUS protein was produced as a fusion protein with the N-terminal 66 aa of CP (CP66:GUS), the GUS (detected with anti-GUS antisera) was also localized to the nucleus (FIG. 3C). This indicated that the N-terminal 66 aa of the CP contained a nuclear localization signal.
g5p contains a nuclear localization signal as shown by fusing g5 sequence to the sequence coding for GUS at the N-terminus. The g5:GUS fusion protein (expressed in g5:GUSAV2−CP− virus A component, Table 1) and unfused GUS protein (expressed in GUSAV2−CP−virus A component, Table 1) remained in the cytoplasm (FIGS. 3D and 3E), indicating that g5p has no nuclear localization signal. The g5p most likely entered the nucleus in a passive manner based on its size (9.7 kDa) which is smaller than the permeability barrier of the nuclear envelop (Dingwall et al, Ann. Rev. Cell Biol., 2:367-390, 1986).
7. Movement of ToLCV Expressing CP66:6G:g5 Protein is Impaired in Plants N. benthamiana plants were inoculated with selected virus constructs to determine the effect of g5p on virus spread: in these studies B component DNA was coinoculated with A component onto N. benthamiana seedlings. As expected, plants inoculated with A component mutants AV2−CP−, g5AV2−CP−, or g5−AV2−CP− plus B component showed very mild or no symptoms and all inoculated plants accumulated low levels of viral DNA (Table 2). A previously reported ToCLV mutant (Padidam et al, Virology, 224:390-404, 1996) that did not produce CP but produced AV2 (CP−) developed severe disease symptoms and wt levels of dsDNA on systemic infections (Table 2). Surprisingly, plants inoculated with the virus expressing CP66:6G:g5 protein showed very mild or no symptoms even though the virus contained an intact AV2 gene (Table 2). These plants accumulated low levels of viral DNA similar to plants inoculated with AV2−CP−virus (Table 2). Plants inoculated with the virus expressing CP66:g5 protein (which accumulated ssDNA to a lower level than CP66:6G:g5 virus in protoplasts) showed mild symptoms and accumulated moderate levels of dsDNA. The impaired movement of the virus expressing g5p was due to possible toxic effects of g5p. No differences in protoplast viability or in appearance of plant leaves inoculated with wt virus or virus expressing g5p were detected that might suggest toxicity of g5p.
The cell to cell and long distance movement of ToLCV expressing CP66:6G:g5 protein was examined by utilizing green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a visible marker for virus movement. Plants were inoculated with A component DNA expressing GFP in place of AV2 and CP (GFPAV2−CP−) alone, or coinoculated with A component DNA of the wt, CP66:6G:g5, or CP66:g5− construct. GFPAV2−CP− virus was expected to move inefficiently in plants as it does not encode AV2; it was expected to move efficiently when complemented by another virus encoding AV2. GFP could not be detected in plants by 3 d post inoculation, but it was present on inoculated and upper leaves by day 6 in the majority of the plants inoculated with GFPAV2−CP− plus wt A component, or GFPAV2−CP− plus CP66:g5−viruses (FIG. 3H, 3I; only data on plants inoculated with GFPAV2−CP− plus CP66:g5− viruses is shown). The virus expressing GFP continued to spread to upper and newly emerging leaves in these plants (FIG. 3J, 3K). GFP was observed in veins, mesophyll and epidermal cells, and was present in large areas of the leaf in plants inoculated with GFPAV2−CP− plus CP66:g5− viruses. In contrast, GFP was restricted to small spots on the inoculated leaves of most of the plants inoculated with GFPAV2−CP−, or GFPAV2−CP− plus CP66:6G:g5 viruses (FIG. 3L, 3M; only data on plants inoculated with GFPAV2−CP− plus CP66:6G:g5 viruses is shown). These plants also showed GFP staining in some adjacent and newly emerging leaves, but mostly restricted to veins (FIG. 3N, 30, 3P). These results indicated that expressing the g5p in place of CP has decreased the efficiency of the virus systemic movement.
8. In vivo Binding of CP66:6G:g5 Protein to Viral DNA
The accumulation of viral sSDNA in protoplasts inoculated with virus A component expressing g5p or CP66:6G:g5 protein indicated that g5p binds to ssDNA. In verification, protoplasts were inoculated with virus A component expressing Flag epitope-tagged CP66:6G:g5 protein (FCP66:6G:g5, Table 1) and immunoprecipitated the Flag epitope-tagged CP66:6G:g5 protein using anti-Flag antibody and characterized the viral DNA that coimmunoprecipitated with the CP66:6G:g5 protein by Southern blotting. The immunoprecipitations were performed under different salt (1% NP40 buffer with 0.15 to 1.0 M NaCl) conditions and in the presence of 0.1 SDS, 0.5% DOC and 1% NP40 detergents (RIPA buffer) to assay the affinity of binding. Flag epitope-tagged CP66:6G:g5 protein was immunoprecipitated in all the buffer conditions tested; the amount of protein immunoprecipitated increased with the increase in salt concentration. (FIG. 4A). The amount of coimmunoprecipitated ssDNA increased up to 0.5 M salt and decreased at higher concentrations (FIG. 4B), indicating the g5p-ssDNA complex was destabilized in buffer that contained 1 M salt. Immunoprecipitation in RIPA buffer also resulted in reduced amount of precipitated DNA (FIG. 4B). These results showed that g5p bound to viral ssDNA and 1 M salt (in NP40 buffer) dissociated g5p from viral DNA.
9. Role of BV1 and BC1 Movement Proteins in Spread of ToLCV
Together, the above results indicate that CP66:6G:g5 protein is localized to the nucleus and binds stably to ToLCV virus DNA in vivo, and ToLCV expressing CP66:6G:g5 does not move efficiently in plants. The inefficient movement of ToLCV expressing CP66:6G:g5 protein may be due to interference of g5p with the function of BV1 or BC1 movement proteins of ToLCV. In squash leaf curl virus (SLCV), BV1 (referred to as BR1 in SLCV) protein, but not BC1 (referred to as BL1 in SLCV), binds to ssDNA in vitro (Pascal et al, Plant Cell, 6:995-1006, 1994) . BV1 and BC1 of SLCV interact with each other in a cooperative manner; in protoplasts BV1 localizes to the nucleus in the absence of BC1 but localizes to the cell periphery in the presence of BC1 (Sanderfoot et al, Plant Physiol., 110:23-33, 1996; Sanderfoot et al, Plant Cell, 7:1185-1194, 1995). Both BV1 and BC1 are required for the systemic spread and symptom development of ToLCV (Padidam et al, Virology, 224:390-404, 1996). To determine if BV1 and BC1 of ToLCV have similar functions as BV1 and BC1 of SLCV, BV1 and BC1 of ToLCV were immunolocalized and examined for their ability to complement viral ssDNA accumulation of CP mutants. For these experiments BV1 and BC1 genes were fused to sequences coding for Flag epitope tag and T7 epitope tag, respectively, and inserted in place of AV2 and CP in the A component (FBV1AV2−CP− and TBC1AV2−CP−, Table 1). In protoplasts inoculated with FBV1AV2−CP− construct, BV1 protein accumulated in the nucleus (detected using anti-Flag antibody, FIG. 3F) while in protoplasts inoculated with TBC1AV2−CP−, the BC1 protein was localized to the cell periphery (detected using anti-T7 tag antibody, FIG. 3G) Expression of BV1 protein in place of AV2 and CP protein (BV1AV2−CP−) also led to the accumulation of ssDNA of the A component (Table 3; FIG. 2, lane 9). The binding affinity of BV1 protein tagged with Flag epitope to viral DNA in protoplasts inoculated with FBV1AV2−CP− DNA was determined by immunoprecipitation reactions similar to those described in FIG. 4. The binding affinity of BV1 protein to viral ssDNA was similar to the binding affinity of CP66:6G:g5 protein to viral DNA. In contrast to results obtained with the A component DNA expressing BV1, A component DNA expressing BC1 protein in place of AV2 and CP (BC1AV2−CP−) did not accumulate ssDNA (Table 3; FIG. 2, lane 10). Since BC1 protein was localized to the cell periphery, BC1 was fused to N-terminal 66 aa of the CP (CP66:6G:BC1) to direct it to the nucleus. Virus A component DNA expressing the CP66:6G:BC1 protein also did not accumulate ssDNA (Table 3; FIG. 2, lane 11) showing that BC1 movement protein may not bind to viral ssDNA or the binding affinity was not sufficiently strong enough to result in the accumulation of ssDNA. These results show that BV1 is localized to the nucleus in the absence of BC1, and BV1 binds to viral ssDNA in vivo.







TABLE 3







Complementation by BV1 and BC1 movement proteins for the


accumulation of tomato leaf curl virus ssDNA in protoplastsa










A component
B component
ssDNA
dsDNA















Wild type
none
100

100



BV1AV2−CP−
none
86
(50-121)
230
(119-195)


FB1AV2−CP−
none
33
(25-54)
47
(40-58)


BC1AV2−CP−
none
2
(1-3)
224
(162-288)


Cp66:6G:BC1
none
5
(1-10)
214
(180-267)


Wild type
Wild type
57
(37-78)
61
(42-81)


Wild type
BC1−
48
(38-58)
50
(40-60)


AV2−CP−
Wild type
2.4
(1.2-3.6)
131
(76-187)


AV2−CP−
BC1−
2.7
(1.5-4.0)
135
(82-188)


CP−
Wild type
2.5
(1.6-3.3)
100
(78-121)


CP−
BC1−
2.9
(2.1-3.7)
106
(98-113)





aProtoplasts were transfected with 2 μg of A component DNA with or without 10 μg of B component DNA. Viral single-stranded (ss) and double-stranded (ds) DNA was quantitated on Southern blots using “phoshorImager” and the values represent the average amount (range) of viral DNA in two to five independent transfections. 






In plants inoculated with ToLCV A component containing CP66:6G:g5 gene plus wt B component the expression of CP66:6G:g5 protein is controlled by the relatively strong CP promoter. The CP66:6G:g5 protein produced from the A component may out-compete with the BV1 protein (expressed from the B component) for DNA binding if the amount of BV1 made under its own promoter is relatively low. We conducted an experiment to determine if BV1, expressed under its own promoter on the B component, can lead to accumulation of ssDNA. Note that BV1 led to accumulation of ssDNA when expressed in place of CP on A component (Table 3). However, very little viral ssDNA accumulated in protoplasts coinoculated with A component DNA with mutations in CP (CP−) plus wt B component DNA (i.e., expressing both BV1 and BC1) or B component with a mutation in BC1 (BC1−; i.e, expressing only BV1) (Table 3; FIG. 2, lanes 12-15). The failure of BV1 to cause accumulation of ssDNA when expressed from the B component appeared to be due to low levels of BV1 protein being made; no BV1 protein was detected in protoplasts coinoculated with A component DNA and B component DNA expressing Flag epitope-tagged BV1 by immunolocalization and western blotting procedures. These results show that the B component promoter driving the expression of BV1 is not as strong as when the gene was expressed from the CP promoter on the A component.
10. Discussion of Examples 1-9
A non-specific ssDNA binding protein (g5) was expressed in place of CP and was monitored for the accumulation of ssDNA to determine if it could serve as a substitute for CP in Geminivirus. The g5p from E. coli phage M13 was chosen because of its small size (9.7 kDa) and lack of any enzymatic function in DNA replication. The role of g5p in replication of M13 and other filamentous phages has been extensively studied (Rasched et al, Microbiol. Rev., 50:401-427, 1986) and its structure has been determined (Skinner et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 91:2071-2075, 1994). Gene 5 protein binds newly formed viral ssDNA tightly, cooperatively, and in a sequence independent manner, and protects it from degradation by E. coli nucleases.
It is shown that g5p can bind to ToLCV ssDNA in plant cells and ToLCV expressing g5p or g5p fused to N-terminal 66 aa of the CP accumulated ssDNA to wt levels. The binding of g5p to viral ssDNA in vivo was similar to the binding of g5p to M13 ssDNA in vitro (Anderson et al, Biochemistry, 14:907-917, 1975). Though g5p compensated for the lack of CP by causing an increase in accumulation of ssDNA of ToLCV, it did not reduce the amount of dsDNA to wt levels. BV1 movement protein (when expressed in place of CP) also behaved like g5p in that it did not down-regulate the dsDNA to wt levels. If CP regulates the levels of ss and dsDNA by depleting the ssDNA available for conversion to dsDNA, expression of g5p or BV1 could be expected to result in normal amounts of dsDNA. The fact that it did not suggests that CP may have a direct role in regulating virus replication, possibly by inhibiting minus-strand synthesis or by regulating gene expression. The CP of alfalfa mosaic virus (A1MV), a virus with a ssRNA(+) genome, has been shown to play a direct role in regulation of plus- and minus-strand RNA synthesis. The A1MV CP was found in tight association with the viral RNA polymerase and inhibited minus-strand synthesis while stimulating plus-strand synthesis. Recent results on SLCV suggests that CP acts to signal the switch from viral dsDNA replication to ssDNA replication, or to sequester virion ssDNA from replication pool without fully encapsidating it. Purification of geminivirus replication complexes is needed to directly assess the role of CP in replication.
Plants infected with virus that encodes CP66:6G:g5 protein show very mild symptoms and accumulate low levels of viral DNA when infected protoplasts accumulated high levels of viral DNA. This occurs because by binding to viral ssDNA, g5p affects virus movement by interfering with the function of BV1 movement protein. BV1 of ToLCV was localized to the nucleus in infected protoplasts and bound to viral ssDNA in vivo; whereas BC1 was localized to the cell periphery and did not complement viral ssDNA accumulation even when it was directed to the nucleus as a fusion to the nuclear localizing signal of CP. Recent studies on the role of BV1 and BC1 in SLCV movement have shown that BV1 localizes to the nucleus, binds to ssDNA in vitro, and functions as a nuclear shuttle protein. BC1 of SLCV is localized to the cell periphery in protoplasts and is associated with endoplasmic reticulum-derived tubules in developing phloem cells of systemically infected pumpkin seedlings. Based on these results, a model for SLCV was proposed in which BC1 containing tubules serve as a conduit for the transport of BV1, and its associated viral ssDNA, from one cell to another (Ward et al, J. Virol., 71:3726-33, 1997). Studies on TGMV have shown that BV1 interacts with viral ssDNA in vivo and BV1 and BC1 have distinct and essential roles in cell to cell movement as well as systemic movement (Jeffrey et al, Virology., 223:208-218, 1996). ToLCV employs a similar strategy in moving from cell to cell. The poor movement of ToLCV that produces CP66:6g:g5 protein is due to reduced binding of BV1 to viral ssDNA. It should be noted that BV1 did not lead to accumulation of ssDNA of A component that lacked CP when BV1 was expressed under its own promoter from the B component. In plants coinoculated with A component producing CP66:6G:g5 plus A component producing GFP, GFP staining was mostly restricted to small areas, both on inoculated and systemically infected leaves, showing an over all reduction in the efficiency of viral movement than specific interference with cell to cell spread or long distance movement.
The interference with the ToLCV movement due to binding of g5p to viral ssDNA indicates that in this virus ssDNA moves from cell to cell. These results also indicate that expression of g5p in transgenic plants provides a novel way of controlling geminiviruses and that such resistance is effective against all geminiviruses.
In summary, to determine whether the gene 5 protein (g5p), a ssDNA binding protein from Escherichia coli phage M13, could restore the accumulation of ssDNA, ToLCV that lacked the CP gene was modified to express g5p or g5p fused to the N-terminal 66 amino acids of the CP (CP66:6G:g5). The modified viruses led to accumulation of wild type levels of ssDNA and high levels of dsDNA. The accumulation of ssDNA was due to stable binding of g5p to the viral ssDNA. The high levels of dsDNA accumulation during infections of the modified viruses indicated suggested a direct role for CP in viral DNA replication. ToLCV that produced CP66:6G:g5 protein did not spread efficiently in Nicotiana benthamiana plants and inoculated plants developed only very mild symptoms. In infected protoplasts CP66:6G:g5 protein was immunolocalized to nuclei; this indicates that the fusion protein interferes with the function of BV1 movement protein and thereby prevents spread of the infection.
The foregoing specification, including the specific embodiments and examples, is intended to be illustrative of the present invention and is not to be taken as limiting. Numerous other variations and modifications can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

## Claims

1. A method for producing in a plant resistance to a single stranded DNA (ssDNA) virus of the Geminivirus family comprising introducing a gene 5 ssDNA-binding protein of Coliphage M13 into said plant, thereby producing resistance to said ssDNA virus in said plant.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said Coliphage M13 gene 5 protein has the amino acid residue sequence of SEQ ID NO 1.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said introducing comprises preparing a transgenic plant containing a gene which expresses said ssDNA-binding protein.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said gene comprises a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NOs 2 or 3.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said introducing comprises contacting said plant with a composition containing an expression vector capable of expressing said ssDNA-binding protein.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said expression vector comprises a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NOs 2 or 3.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said contacting comprises biolistic gene transfer or direct DNA uptake into protoplast.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein said contacting comprises infection of said plant with a carrier vector.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said carrier vector is an Agrobacterium vector.

10. The method of claim 5 wherein said expression vector is present in a virus particle that infects said plant and expresses said ssDNA-binding coat protein.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said plant is selected from the group consisting of Abutilon, Acalypha, apple, Ageratum, Althea rosea, Asystasia, Bajra, banana, barley, beans, beet, Blackgram, Bromus, Cassava, chickpea, Chilllies, Chloris, clover, coconut, coffee, cotton, cowpea, Croton, cucumber, Digitaria, Dolichos, eggplant, Eupatorium, Euphorbia, fababean, honeysuckle, horsegram, Jatropha, Leonurus, limabean, Lupin, Macroptilium, Macrotyloma, maize, melon, millet, mungbean, oat, okra, Panicum, papaya, Paspalum, peanut, pea, pepper, pigeon pea, pineapple, Phaseolus, potato, Pseuderanthemum, pumpkin, Rhynchosia, rice, Serrano, Sida, sorghum, soybean, squash, sugarcane, sugarbeet, sunflower, sweet potato, tea, tomato, tobacco, watermelon, wheat and Wissadula.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said Geminivirus is selected from the group consisting of Mastrevirus, Curtovirus and Begomovirus genera.

13. A method for producing geminivirus resistance in a plant comprising introducing into said plant a gene capable of expressing Coliphage M13 gene 5 protein in said plant, thereby producing resistance to said geminivirus in said plant.

14. A DNA expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a gene 5 ssDNA-binding protein of Coliphage M13, wherein said vector is capable of expressing said protein in plants.

15. The DNA expression vector of claim 14 wherein said Coliphage M13 gene 5 protein has the amino acid residue sequence of SEQ ID NO 1.

16. The DNA expression vector of claim 14 wherein said nucleotide sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NOs 2 or 3.

17. The DNA expression vector of claim 14 wherein said vector is a carrier vector.

18. The DNA expression vector of claim 17 wherein said carrier vector is an Agrobacterium vector.

19. The DNA expression vector of claim 14 wherein said plant is selected from the group consisting of Abutilon, Acalypha, apple, Ageratum, Althea rosea, Asystasia, Bajra, banana, barley, beans, beet, Blackgram, Bromus, Cassava, chickpea, Chilllies, Chloris, clover, coconut, coffee, cotton, cowpea, Croton, cucumber, Digitaria, Dolichos, eggplant, Eupatorium, Euphorbia, fababean, honeysuckle, horsegram, Jatropha, Leonurus, limabean, Lupin, Macroptilium, Macrotyloma, maize, melon, millet, mungbean, oat, okra, Panicum, papaya, Paspalum, peanut, pea, pepper, pigeon pea, pineapple, Phaseolus, potato, Pseuderanthemum, pumpkin, Rhynchosia, rice, Serrano, Sida, sorghum, soybean, squash, sugarcane, sugarbeet, sunflower, sweet potato, tea, tomato, tobacco, watermelon, wheat and Wissadula.

20. A composition for producing resistance to a ssDNA virus of the Geminivirus family that infects plants comprising a DNA expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a gene 5 ssDNA-binding protein of Coliphage M13, wherein said vector expresses said protein in said plant.

21. The composition of claim 20 wherein said Coliphage M13 gene 5 protein has the amino acid residue sequence of SEQ ID NO 1.

22. The composition of claim 20 wherein said nucleotide sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NOs 2 or 3.

23. The composition of claim 20 wherein said DNA expression vector is a carrier vector.

24. The composition of claim 23 wherein said carrier vector is an Agrobacterium vector.

25. A transgenic plant containing a DNA expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a gene 5 ssDNA-binding protein of Coliphage M13, wherein said vector expresses said protein in said plant.

26. The transgenic plant of claim 25 wherein said DNA expression vector is the vector of claim 14.

27. The transgenic plant of claim 25 wherein said Coliphage M13 gene 5 protein has the amino acid residue sequence of SEQ ID NO 1.

28. The transgenic plant of claim 25 wherein said nucleotide sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NOs 2 or 3.