Abstract:
The invention relates a DNA molecule which is a partial fragment of an intergenic region of a BBTV component or alternatively which DNA molecule is derived from said intergenic region whereby the DNA molecule is capable of promoting, enhancing, regulating, or modifying transcription of a non-BBTV gene.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to DNA sequences of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) and, in particular, to the intergenic regions of components 1 to 6. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) is the most important virus disease of bananas (Dale, 1987, Advances in Virus Research 33 301-325), The disease is widespread in Asia and the South Pacific and has limited distribution in Australia and Africa. It has not been reported from the Americas. The disease was originally assumed to be caused by a luteovirus as it was persistently aphid transmitted but not mechanically transmitted, induced yellows type symptoms and infected plants that had damaged phloem. However, recently 18-20 nm isometric virus-like particles (VLPs) have been purified from infected plants and have been demonstrated to be associated with the disease (Harding et al., 1991, Journal of General Virology 72 225-230; Thomas &amp; Dietzgen, 1991, Journal of General Virology 72 217-224; Wu and Su, 1990, Journal of Phytopathology 128 153-160). Harding et al (Harding et al., 1991, Journal of General Virology 72 225-230; Harding et al., 1993, Journal of General Virology 74 323-328) have isolated circular, single-stranded DNA of about 1 kb from these VLPs and cloned and sequenced one ssDNA component. This component, known as BBTV DNA component 1, had one large open reading frame (ORF) in the virion sense and encoded a putative replicase. This component was transmitted with the disease via aphids. 
     In Burns et al., 1994, Arch Virol. 137 371-380, they report the cloning and sequencing of a second component of BBTV. They found that a 93 nucleotide sequence was strongly conserved between the two ssDNA genomic components of BBTV. Two outwardly extending degenerate primers were designed from this sequence and used in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with DNA extracted from purified BBTV virions. PCR amplified products consisting of at least seven distinct bands all approximately 1 kb and possibly representing full-length BBTV dsDNA were resolved. The PCR amplified products were cloned and the clones screened by restriction enzyme analysis. Four distinct restriction analysis groups were identified. This reference concluded that the genome of BBTV contains at least five components and that BBTV belongs to a previously undescribed group of plant viruses which may also contain subterranean clover stunt virus. 
     In Karan et al., 1994, Journal of General Virology 75 3541-3546, mention is made of BBTV component 1 from isolates from 10 different countries being cloned and sequenced and the sequences were subsequently aligned and compared. This analysis indicated two groups: the South Pacific group (isolates from Australia, Burundi, Egypt, Fiji India, Tonga and Western Samoa) and the Asian group (isolates from the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam). The mean sequence difference within each group was 1.9 to 3.0% and between isolates from the two groups were approximately 10%, but some parts of the sequences differed more than others. However, the protein encoded by the major open reading frame differed by approximately 5%. The region from the beginning of the stem-loop sequence to the potential TATA box was identical in all isolates except for a two nucleotide change in the Western Samoan isolate and a single change in that of the NSW isolate. These results, together with other evidence, suggest that BBTV has spread to bananas after the initial movement of bananas from the Asian Pacific regions to Africa and the Americas. 
     In Xie et al., 1995, Phytopathology 85 339-347, the Hawaiian isolate of BBTV was purified from infected banana cultivar Williams. Three single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) components were cloned and sequenced; they were named component 1, 3 and 4 respectively. Component 1 is 1,110 nucleotides in length and shares 98% nucleotide sequence identity with the BBTV DNA component 1 of the Australian isolate as described In Harding et al. (1993) above. This component contains two open reading frames (ORF) capable of encoding a protein of 33.5 kDa, which may function as a replicase, and a protein about 15.2 kDa, with unknown functions. Component 3 is 1,057 nucleotides in length and does not contain any ORFs larger than 10 kDa. Component 4 is 1,017 nucleotides in length and potentially encodes a protein of 18.9 kDa. All three ssDNA components have a same stem-loop sequence and have a conserved non-coding region. The sequence of each of these-three components is different from that of BBTV DNA components of two Taiwanese isolates. BETV-specific clones were used in dot-blot hybridisation assays for detection of BBTV in plants using radioactive and non-radioactive probes. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for detection of BBTV in banana samples and single aphids. Dot-blot hybridisation assays were as sensitive as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while PCR was 1,000 times more sensitive than dot-blot and ELISA assays for detection of BBTV in bananas. 
     Although so called intergenic regions of genomic components 1, 3 and 4 have been detected in Harding et al., 1993 supra; and Xie and Hu, 1995, supra, the only charcteristic of such intergenic regions has been a stem-loop structure in component 1 as disclosed in Harding et al., 1993, supra. 
     In an earlier application, (i.e. International Application PCT/AU95/00311) reference is made to BBTV components 3, 4 and 6 which are claimed per se. Regions outside the ORF regions (i.e. the so called &#34;intergenic regions&#34;) have also been disclosed in this earlier application. Genomic components 1, 3 and 4 disclosed in Xie and Hu, 1995, supra correspond to components 1, 2 and 5 referred to in the earlier application PCT/AU95/00311. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Surprisingly, it has now been discovered that intergenic regions of BBTV genomic components 1-6, or parts thereof, have sequences derived therefrom capable of promoting, enhancing, regulating or modifying transcription of non-BBTV genes. 
     The invention therefore includes within its scope, the aforementioned intergenic regions when used for promoting, enhancing, regulating or modifying transcription of a non-BBTV gene as well as parts thereof, sequences derived therefrom and mutants thereof per se. 
     The invention also includes within its scope a DNA molecule which is a partial fragment of an intergenic region of a BBTV component or alternatively which DNA molecule is derived from said intergenic region whereby the DNA molecule is capable of promoting, enhancing, regulating or modifying transcription of a non-BBTV gene. 
     The partial fragment is defined in this specification as being a sequence less than the full sequence of the intergenic region of a BBTV component but equal to or greater than a sequence of approximately 172 base pairs from a BBTV component. The sequence of said DNA molecule may be identical to the complementary sequence of the partial fragment of an intergenic region of a BBTV component. 
     The intergenic region is used in this specification to define the non-coding region of a BBTV component or the region outside the ORF in a BBTV component. 
     The sequence of the DNA molecule may be substantially identical or substantially complementary to the partial fragment of the intergenic region of BBTV components 1-6. Substantially is used in this specification to refer to sequences having variations up to 20%. The amount of sequence variation can be determined by standard hybridisation procedures or sequence comparison. The percentage of 20% is the variation shown with the region outside of the ORF of component 1 between different geographical isolates (Karan et al., 1994, Journal of General Virology, 75, 3541-3546; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/202186). Both of these documents are herein incorporated by reference to support the claim of 20% variation of all components of BBTV. The variation determined for component 1 of different geographical isolates is representative of the variation between each component from different geographical isolates. Thus variation up to 20% also applies to the sequences of components 2 through to 6 discussed below. 
     The term derived defines any sequence that has been changed, altered or modified by whatever procedure including mutagenesis from a fragment of the intergenic region of a BBTV component. 
     In particular, the sequence of the DNA molecule may be the BBTV intergenic region derived inserts of pBT6.1 (approximately 623 base pair fragment), pBT6.2 (approximately 351 base pair fragment), pBT6.3 (approximately 239 base pair fragment), and pBT6.4 (approximately 172 base pair fragment) from component 6; pBT1.1 (approximately 214 base pair fragment), pBT1.INT (approximately 980 base pair fragment) from component 1; pBT2.1 (approximately 855 base pair fragment) from component 2; pBT3.1 (approximately 526 base pair fragment) from component 3; pBT4.1 (approximately 659 base pair fragment) from component 4; and pBT5.1 (approximately 454 base pair fragment) from component 5. The DNA molecule may be 275 base pair region which includes the CR-M that is present in the insert of pBT6.1 but not in the insert of pBT6.2. The 275 base pair region may be a regulatory region. The DNA molecule may comprise the region between or including the CRSL region and the ATG of the open reading frame of any one of the BBTV components 1 to 6. The inserts of pBT1.1, pBT2.1, pBT3.1, pBT4.1, pBT5.1 and pBT6.1 are shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 shows the sequence of the insert of pBT1.INT. FIG. 13 shows the DNA sequence of the inserts of (a) pBT6.1; (b) pBT6.2; (c) pBT6.3; and (d) pBT6.4. 
     The non-BBTV gene may be any suitable gene such as GUS, NPTII, insecticide resistance gene, herbacide resistance gene or a growth promoting gene. 
     The DNA molecule may transcribe the gene in any suitable prokaryote or eukaryote host. Preferably, the DNA molecule may transcribe the gene in a monocotyledon plant cell such as plant cells from Musa spp (banana), wheat cells. The DNA molecule may transcribe the gene in a monocotyledon plant such as banana and wheat. Preferably the DNA molecule may transcribe the gene in a dicotyledon plant cell such as tobacco and zucchini cells. The DNA molecule may transcribe the gene in a dicotyledon plant such as tobacco and zucchini. The DNA molecule preferably transcribes the gene in cells of undifferentiated tissue in a dicotyledon plant. 
     In a second aspect, the invention is a DNA chimaeric vector or cassette having a DNA molecule as described above upstream of a gene of interest to enable the promoting, enhancing, regulating or modifying of transcription of the gene. 
     The chimaeric vector may be derived from pBI101.3. The vector may be any suitable construct mentioned below. The cassette may be any suitable construct mentioned below. The gene of interest may be any suitable gene as mentioned above. The chimaeric vector or cassette may be introduced into any suitable host including monocotyledon plant cells and dicotyledon plant cells for expression in the host. 
     The invention in a third aspect is a plant cell having a DNA molecule as described above. 
     The invention in a fourth aspect is a plant with the plant cells as described above. 
     The invention in a fifth aspect provides a method of expressing a non-BBTV gene in a plant cell using the DNA molecule as described above. 
     The invention will now be described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, these preferred embodiments are given by way of example. Example 1 describes the discovery and identification of the further three components of BBTV and is incorporated in the specification for convenience to allow a man skilled in the art to isolate these BBTV components. This information has essentially been published in Burns et al., 1995, Journal of General Virology, 76, 1471-1482). 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1A-1E are representations of the nucleotide sequences of BBTV DNA components 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 (SEQ ID NOs:1, 2, 4, 6, and 8, respectively), and the deduced amino acid sequences (SEQ ID NOs: 3, 5, 7, and 9 for components 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively) of the major ORFs. The representations for components 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are given in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, and 1e, respectively. The potential TATA boxes are in bold and double underlined; the potential polyadenylation signals are in bold and underlined; the stem-loop structure is in italics and underlined, with the stem sequence arrowed; the CR-SL is underlined; the CR-M is in bold and italics; and the ORF is in bold. 
     FIG. 2A-2B are autoradiograms of blots. Each blot was separately probed with either  32  P-labelled oligonucleotides (component 2) or full length RNA transcripts (components 3 to 6) specific for the virion- or complementary-sense strands of each respective component. Panel (a) blots were hybridised with probes complementary to the component sequences presented in FIGS. 1a-1e. Panel (b) blots were hybridised with probes having the same sequences presented in FIGS. 1a-1e. Lane 1: full length clone of each respective component. Lane 2: healthy banana nucleic acid. Lane 3: DNA extracted from purified BBTV virions. 
     FIG. 3 is an alignment of the stem-loop regions (CR-SL) of BBTV DNA components 1 to 6 (SEQ ID NOs: 10-15, respectively). The stem-loop structure in each component is underlined and the loop sequence is in italics. Asterisks indicate nucleotides that are conserved between all components. Dots indicate gaps in some sequences for maximising sequence alignment. 
     FIG. 4 is an alignment of the major common regions (CR-M) of BBTV DNA components 1 to 6 (SEQ ID NOs:16-21, respectively). The 15 nucleotide GC-rich sequence is underlined. Asterisks indicate nucleotides that are conserved between all components and diamonds indicate nucleotides that are conserved between components 2 to 6 in the first 26 nucleotides covering the deletion in component 1. Dots indicate gaps in some sequences for maximising sequence alignment, and the imperfect repeat sequences are shown in italics. 
     FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of the proposed genomic organisation of BBTV showing (i) the general organisation of all components and (ii) a linear representation of each component. 
     FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of various constructions of the intergenic region of component 1. 
     FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of various constructions of the intergenic region of component 2. 
     FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of various constructions of the intergenic region of components 3 and 4. 
     FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of various constructions of the intergenic region of component 5. 
     FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of various constructions of the intergenic region of component 6. 
     FIG. 11 is a nucleotide sequence alignment of the intergenic regions of components 1 to 6 of BBTV (SEQ ID NOs:22-27, respectively). bbtvpro1 is the insert of pBT1.1; bbtvpro2 is the insert of pBT2.1; bbtvpro3 is the insert of pBT3.1; bbtvpro4 is the insert of pBT4.1; bbtvpro5 is the insert of pBT5.1; and bbtvpro6 is the insert of pBT6.1. Note in bbtvpro1 that Adh1 US1 is present at position 1004. With respect to bbtvpro2 note that TGA-1b is present at positions 952 and 1053; Adh1 US3 is present at position 137; and G-BOX is present at position 225. With respect to bbtvpro3 note Adh1 US1 is present at position 1069. With respect to bbtvpro4 note that TGA-1b is present at position 182; ADh1 US1 is present at position 1037; and G-BOX is present at positions 45, 63, 128 and 148. With respect to bbtvpro5 note that TGA-1b is present at position 96; Adh1 US1 is present at position 1012; and G-BOX is present at positions 45 and 64. With respect to bbtvpro6 note that TGA-1a is present at position 1083; TGA-1b is present at position 44; Adh1 US1 is present at position 173; and G-BOX is present at position 46. Also note that the G-BOX is a plant promoter motif which is associated with the transcription core sequence: CACGTG. 
     FIG. 12 is the DNA sequence of the insert of pBT1.INT (982 base pair; SEQ ID NO:28). Note that the sequence of the intergenic region of BBTV component 1 is based on the small open reading frame. 
     FIGS. 13A-13D are the DNA sequence of the inserts of pBT6.1 (622 base pair; SEQ ID NO:29; FIG. 13a), pBT6.2 (351 base pair; SEQ ID NO:30; FIG. 13b), pBT6.3 (238 base pair; SEQ ID NO:31; FIGS. 13c), and (d) pBT6.4 (182 base pair; SEQ ID NO:32; FIG. 13d). Note that the bolded region in pBT6.3 is the sequence associated with the majority of promoter activity of the component 6 intergenic region. This region is removed in pBT6.4. 
     FIG. 14 is a representation of the BBTV6-NPTII construct. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     BBTV Components 
     Methods 
     Synthesis and cloning of cDNA. Bananas with characteristic symptoms of banana bunchy top disease were collected from the Nambour region of S-E Queensland. BBTV particles were purified as described by Wu &amp; Su, 1990, Journal of Phytopathology 128 153-160 and Thomas &amp; Dietzgen, 1991, Journal of General Virology 72 217-224. Nucleic acid was extracted from virions as described by Francki &amp; Randles, 1973, Virology 54 359-368. Double stranded DNA was synthesised as described by Gubler &amp; Hoffman, 1983, Gene 25 263-269 using random hexamers (Bresatec) to prime first strand synthesis. The dsDNA was treated with mung bean nuclease (Promega) and ligated into Smal digested plasmid vector pUC18 (Upcroft &amp; Healey, 1987, Gene 51 69-75). The plasmid was then used to transform Escherichia coli strain JM109 (Hanahan, 1983, Journal of Molecular Biology 166 557-580) and potential recombinant clones were identified by screening on X-gal substrate (Vieira &amp; Messing, 1982, Gene 19 259-268) 
     Plasmids were isolated using the alkaline lysis method (Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory). Inserts were excised by digestion with EcoRI/HindIII, electrophoresed in agarose gels and capillary blotted onto Hybond N+ (Amersham) using 0.4 M NaOH (Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory). Inserts for use as DNA probes were purified from agarose gels using a Gene-Clean kit (Bresatec). DNA probes were labelled using a Ready-To-Go labelling kit (Pharmacia) as recommended by the manufacturer. Prehybridisations and hybridisations were done as described by Burns eta., 1994, Archives of Virology 137 371-380. 
     Sequencing and sequence analysis. Mini preparations of respective BBTV clones were prepared by alkaline lysis followed by polyethylene glycol precipitation (Hattori &amp; Sakaki, 1986, Analytical Biochemistry 162 232-238). Sequencing was done using  35  SdATP and a Sequenase kit (US Biochemicals) as recommended by the manufacturer. Reaction products were electrophoresed in 8% (w/v) polyacrylamide gel containing 7 M urea. Gels were fixed, dried and exposed to X-ray film. Primers used for sequencing were either universal sequencing primers or 17-30 nt primers complementary to appropriate regions of the cloned viral DNA synthesised using an Applied Biosystems (ABI) PCR Mate and processed as recommended by the manufacturer. 
     PCR products for sequencing were purified from agarose gels using a Gene-Clean kit (Bresatec). DNA was sequenced using a Sequenase kit (USB) essentially as described by the manufacturer. Denaturation of template DNA (500 ng) was done by boiling following the addition of DMSO and 3 pmoles of sequencing primer. 
     Nucleotide sequences were analysed using the GCG analysis package version 8 available through the ANGIS computing facility at the University of Sydney, Australia. Nucleotide and amino acid sequences were aligned using the Clustal V software package (Higgins et al., 1991, CABIOS 8 189-191). Four DNA databases (GenBank, GenBank Weekly Updates, EMBL and EMBL weekly updates) and five protein databases (SwissProt, SwissProt Weekly Updates, PIR, GenPeptide Proteins and GenPeptides Weekly Updates) were searched for sequence homologies with BBTV nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences using two database search analysis programs, FASTA (Pearson &amp; Lipman, 1988, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A. 85 2444-2448) and BLAST (Altschul et al., 1990, Journal of Molecular Biology 215 403-410). 
     PCR: Analysis and cloning. Using the respective nucleotide sequences of clones (I) pBTRP-11, 20, 80 and 88 and (ii) pBTRP-P1 and P2 and the nucleotide sequences of BBTV components 1 (Harding et al., 1993, Journal of General Virology 74 323-328) and 2, three sets of immediately adjacent outwardly extending primers ((I) primer A: 5&#39; GCATCCAACGGCCCATA 3&#39;(SEQ ID NO:33); primer B: 5&#39;CTCCATCGGACGATGGA 3&#39;(SEQ ID NO:34); (ii) primer C: 5&#39; TATTAGTAACAGCAACA 3&#39;(SEQ ID NO:35); primer D: 5&#39; CTAACTTCCATGTCTCT 3&#39;(SEQ ID NO:36); (iii) primer E: 5&#39; CGGGa/tATa/cTGATTGt/gGT 3&#39;(SEQ ID NO:37); and primer F: 5&#39; TACa/tTTTGTCATAGc/tGT 3&#39;(SEQ ID NO:38)) were synthesised and used in a PCR with BBTV DNA as template as described by Burns et al., 1994, Archives of Virology 137 371-380). The amplified products were cloned using the TA cloning kit (Invitrogen) into the plasmid vectors pCRII or pCR2000 as recommended by the manufacturer or into T-tailed pUC19 and Bluescript (Marchuk et al., 1990, Nucleic Acids Research 19 1154). Recombinant clones were selected using X-gal substrate on Luria Bertani (LB) agar containing the appropriate antibiotic and plasmids isolated using the alkaline lysis method (Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory). Clones with apparent full-length inserts (approximately 1 kb) were selected for sequencing. 
     Polarity of virion ssDNA. BBTV ssDNA was extracted, electrophoresed in agarose and capillary blotted onto duplicate nylon membranes (Harding et al., 1993, Journal of General Virology 74 323-328). For component 2, a DNA 3&#39;-end labelling kit (Boehringer Mannheim) was used to prepare  32  P-labelled strand specific oligonucleotide hybridisation probes (primer BT2F5.30 (G): 5&#39; GGTCCCCTTTAAGATTCCTTTCTTCGTCGC 3&#39;(SEQ ID NO:39); primer BT2R5.30 (H): 5&#39; CGGAAAATGAATAAGTATGAGGTGAAAGAG 3&#39;(SEQ ID NO:40)). Membranes were prehybridised and hybridised for 12 and 20 hours respectively in Rapid-hyb (Amersham) at 60° C. Filters were washed once with 1% SDS, 2×SSC (0.3 M NaCl, 0.03 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0) at room temperature followed by washes with 2×SSC at 65° C. Dried membranes were exposed to x-ray film at -80° C. using intensifying screens. 
     For components 3, 4, 5 and 6, strand-specific RNA probes were used. Full-length RNA transcripts of full-length BBTV clones of each of the four components were synthesised using a riboprobe in vitro transcription kit (Promega) as recommended by the manufacturer. 
     Results 
     Cloning and Sequencing of Five Genomic Components 
     Five new genomic components of BBTV were cloned and sequenced from two libraries, (I) a random primed library and (ii) aPCR library. 
     (I) Random Primed Library 
     A random primed library was generated from BBTV ssDNA extracted from purified virions. The resultant dsDNA was treated with mung bean nuclease, blunt-end ligated into Smal cut pUC18 and cloned into E. coli JM109. This library was screened with  32  P-labelled DNA from BBTV virions, healthy bananas and the insert from pBT338 which was a partial clone of BBTV DNA component 1 (Harding et al., 1991, Journal of General Virology 72 225-230; Harding et al., 1993, Journal of General Virology 74 323-328). 
     BBTV DNA Component 2: Four clones, pBTRP-11, 20, 80 and 88, hybridised with BBTV virion DNA and with each other but not with healthy banana DNA or pBT338. The inserts from these clones were sequenced; pBTRP-20 and 88, each with inserts of 220 bp, had identical sequences; pBTRP-80 had an insert of 188 bp and had 148 bp sequence identical to pBTRP-20 and 88 and a further 40 bp sequence at one end that was unique; the sequence of the 115 bp insert of pBTRP-11 was identical to the equivalent region of pBTRP-20 and 88. Two immediately adjacent, outward extending primers, primers A and B, were designed from the overlapping sequence of the four clones such that these primers would prime the amplification of full length dsDNA copies of a circular ssDNA molecule (Harding et al., 1993, Journal of General Virology 74 323-328). BBTV virion ssDNA was amplified by PCR using these primers and Pfu DNA polymerase and the product cloned into pCR2000. Four of the resultant clones were sequenced in both directions using universal forward and reverse primers and sequence specific primers. Three of these clones contained 1060 bp inserts and one clone contained a 1059 bp insert. The four clones had identical sequences except for nine single nucleotide changes including one deletion. Further, the sequences of the original four cDNA clones were found within the four PCR clones. The consensus sequence of this component, termed BBTV DNA component 2, was compiled (FIG. 1a) and compared with the sequence of BBTV DNA component 1 (Harding et al., 1993, Journal of General Virology 74 323-328); the two sequences were essentially different apart from two significant regions of homology. 
     BBTV DNA Component 6: A further two clones from the same random primed library, pBTRP-P1 and P2, also hybridised with labelled BBTV virion DNA but not with DNA from healthy bananas or pBT338. However, the inserts of these clones, both of approximately 1 kb, were digested with EcoRV whereas neither components 1 nor 2 had EcoRV sites. The two clones were partially sequenced using universal forward and reverse primers. The sequences of both clones were identical but clearly different to those of components 1 and 2. Again, two immediately adjacent, outwardly extending primers, primers C and D, were designed from the sequence and synthesised. BBTV virion ssDNA was used as a template with these two primers in a PCR reaction and the resultant product cloned into a T-tailed Bluescript vector. One apparent full length clone, pBT-P2A1, was selected and sequenced in both directions from subclones generated by exonuclease III digestion and universal forward and reverse, and sequence-specific primers. The final component 6 sequence of 1089 bp was then compiled (FIG. 1e) 
     (ii) PCR Library 
     When the sequences of components 1 and 2 were compared, two regions of homology were identified. The first region, later defined as the stem-loop common region (CR-SL) included the potential stem/loop sequence previously identified in component 1 (Harding et al., 1993, Journal of General Virology 74 323-328); the second region, which was contained within the region later defined as the major common region (CR-M), was a sequence of approximately 66 nucleotides 5&#39; to the stem-loop sequence. It was hypothesised that all BBTV genomic components should contain a CR-M and therefore two immediately adjacent, outwardly extending degenerate primers, primers E and F, were designed from this region, synthesised and extended by PCR using BBTV virion ssDNA as a template (Burns et al., 1994, Archives of Virology 137 371-380). Seven products, each of approximately 1 kb, were resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The products were cloned into pCRII. The resultant clones were divided into three groups, groups B, C and D, on the basis that they hybridised with BBTV virion DNA but not DNA from healthy bananas and that each group had restriction patterns different to the other two groups and to components 1, 2 and 6 (Burns et al., 1994, Archives of Virology 137 371-380). One group, group A, had a restriction pattern indistinguishable from that of component 2 and it was later confirmed by sequencing that group A clones represented clones of component 2. 
     Each group of clones was assumed to represent a new and unique BBTV DNA component. For each group of clones, three clones (component 3) or four clones (components 4 and 5) were partially sequenced using universal forward and reverse primers. In each instance, all the clones within a group had identical sequences where these sequences overlapped except for one or two single nucleotide changes. Further, the sequences from each group were different to each other group and to the sequences of components 1, 2 and 6. One clone from each group or component was selected and fully sequenced in both directions. Importantly, each of these groups of clones were generated using degenerate primers covering a sequence of 34 nucleotides derived from the conserved CR-M of components 1 and 2. The CR-M from components 1 and 2 was not fully conserved and thus it was expected that the hypothesised CR-M sequence would vary between other components. Therefore, converging primers unique to each component were designed and used to amplify a sequence including CR-M for each component from BBTV virion ssDNA. The resultant PCR product was sequenced directly using the two component specific converging primers. 
     BBTV DNA Component 3: Component 3 (Group C clone pBTP-64) was sequenced in both directions from the original clone and from subclones generated by exonuclease III digestion or restriction fragments using universal forward and reverse primers and three sequence-specific primers. Two additional converging primers were designed from this sequence to amplify a 380 bp product including the CR-M. The sequence of this product was identical to that of pBTP-64 except for five single nucleotide changes, four of which were in the sequence covered by the original degenerate primers and one outside this sequence at nucleotide 947. The final component 3 sequence of 1075 bp was then compiled (FIG. 1b). 
     BBTV DNA Component 4: Component 4 (Group D clone pBTP-62) was sequenced in both directions from the original clone and from subclones generated by exonuclease III digestion using universal forward and reverse primers and three sequence-specific primers. Two additional converging primers were designed from this sequence to amplify a 350 bp product including the CR-M. The sequence of this product was identical to that of pBTP-62 except for two single nucleotide changes in the sequence covered by the original degenerate primers. The final component 4 sequence of 1043 bp was then compiled (FIG. 1c). 
     BBTV DNA Component 5: Component 5 (Group B clone pBTP-129) was sequenced in both directions from the original clone and from subclones generated by exonuclease III digestion using universal forward and reverse primers and three sequence-specific primers. Two additional converging primers were designed from this sequence to amplify a 290 bp product including the CR-M. The sequence of this product was identical to that of pBTP-129 except for four single nucleotide changes in the sequence covered by the original degenerate primers. The final component 5 sequence of 1018 bp was then compiled (FIG. 1d). 
     Orientation of Genomic Components and Association With Banana Bunchy Top Disease 
     We have previously shown that the BBTV genome is encapsidated as single-stranded DNA (Harding et al., 1991, Journal of General Virology 72 225-230; Harding et al., 1993, Journal of General Virology 74 323-328). To determine the orientation of each component in virions, strand-specific DNA or RNA probes specific for each component were synthesised and hybridised with BBTV virion DNA. Component 2 specific probes were two 3&#39; end-labelled 30mer oligonucleotides whereas probes specific for components 3, 4, 5 and 6 were SP6, T3 or T7 promoted  32  P-labelled RNA transcripts. For each component, the probes whose sequences were complementary to the component sequences presented in FIG. 1 hybridised strongly to BBTV virion DNA whereas the probes whose sequences were the same as the FIG. 1 sequences did not hybridise (FIG. 2). This indicated that each component was encapsidated as ssDNA and only in one orientation, that presented in FIG. 1. 
     Further, the strand- and component-specific probes that hybridised with BBTV virion ssDNA were used as probes to demonstrate that each component was associated with banana bunchy top disease. Plant DNA extracts from three (for component 2) or four (for components 3 to 6) different BBTV isolates and DNA from four healthy bananas was Southern blotted and hybridised with each probe. Each component-specific probe hybridised with a low molecular weight DNA of expected size in all the extracts from BBTV-infected bananas but did not hybridise with the extracts from healthy bananas (results not shown). This indicated that each component was clearly associated with the disease and the virus. 
     Analysis of the BBTV Genomic Components 
     The sequences of the five BBTV genomic components presented here and the sequence of component 1 (Harding et al., 1993, 2) were aligned and compared. Each of the six sequences were different except for two significant regions which had varying degrees of homology between all six components. 
     Stem-loop common region: We have previously identified a potential stem-loop structure in BBTV component 1 (Harding et al, 1993, Journal of General Virology 74 323-328) which had a loop sequence almost identical to the invariant loop sequence of geminiviruses (Lazarowitz, 1992, Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 11 327-349). An equivalent stem/loop structure was also found in components 2 to 6 (FIG. 3). Each component had an 11 nucleotide loop sequence of which 9 consecutive nucleotides were conserved between all components. Each component also had a 10 bp stem sequence of which 14 nucleotides were fully conserved. However, when all six components were compared, the region of homology extended up to 25 nucleotides 5&#39; of the stem-loop structure and up to 13 nucleotides 3&#39; of the stem/loop structure. The 5&#39; 25 nucleotides were fully conserved between components 1, 3, 4 and 5. There were apparently two deletions in both components 2 and 6. In component 2, eight nucleotides were fully conserved with components 1, 3, 4 and 5 whereas in component 6, 16 nucleotides were conserved with these other components. The 13 nucleotides 3&#39; of the stem-loop were fully conserved between all six components except for an apparent single nucleotide deletion in component 2. The sequence of up to 69 nucleotides including the stem-loop sequence was termed the stem-loop conserved region or CR-SL. 
     Major common region: The second common region was located at various distances 5&#39; of the CR-SL and was called the Major Common Region or CR-M. This region varied in size from 65 nucleotides in component 1 to 92 nucleotides in component 5 (FIG. 4). Component 1 apparently had the first 26 nucleotides of the CR-M deleted as well as a further single nucleotide deletion. Components 2, 3 and 4 had two single nucleotide deletions and component 6 had one single nucleotide deletion. Forty-five nucleotides were conserved between all components and 23 of the first 26 nucleotides, deleted in component 1, were conserved between components 2 to 6. Also in components 2 to 6, there was an almost complete 16 nucleotide direct repeat (ATACAAc/gACa/gCTATGA(SEQ ID NO:54)) from nucleotides 4 to 20 and 21 to 36. Further, a 15 nucleotide GC rich sequence (average of 86% GC) was located from nucleotides 78 to 92 and was 93% conserved between all components. 
     The sequence between the last nucleotide of the CR-M and the first nucleotide of the CR-SL varied in length from 22 nucleotides in component 1 to 233 nucleotides in component 2 (FIGS. 1 and 5). Interestingly, this sequence of 175 nucleotides in components 3 and 4 was 97% conserved between these two components. 
     Pontential TATA boxes: A potential TATA box was identified in BBTV component 1 and was located 20 nucleotides 3&#39; of the last nucleotide of the stem-loop and 43 nucleotides 5&#39; of the start codon of the putative replicase gene (Harding et al., 1993, Journal of General Virology 74 323-328). Similar potential TATA boxes were also identified in components 2 to 6. In each of these components, the potential TATA box was a nine nucleotide sequence, CTATa/ta/tAt/aA(SEQ ID NO:55) and was located downstream from the stem-loop sequence (FIG. 1). However, the sequence between the last 3&#39; nucleotide of the stem-loop sequence and the potential TATA box was considerably longer in components 2 to 6 than in component 1 and varied from 157 nucleotides in component 5 to 227 nucleotides in component 4 (FIGS. 1 and 5). 
     Analysis of Potential Polyadenylation Signals 
     Six potential polyadenylation signals were identified associated with the 3&#39; end of the major ORFs of components 3 to 6. A GT-rich region of 10 to 17 nucleotides was located between 0 and 23 nucleotides 3&#39; of each of these polyadenylation signals and each GT-rich region contained the trinucleotide sequence TTG (FIG. 4). Only one potential polyadenylation signal identified in component 2 had a corresponding GT-rich region with the trinucleotide sequence TTG and this was located 233 nucleotides 3&#39; of the nonanucleotide potential TATA box in the virion sense. 
     Conclusions 
     All six components share two common regions, the CR-SL and the CR-M, in the putative intergenic or untranslated region and five of the six components had one large ORF in the virion sense with associated potential TATA boxes and polyadenylation signals (FIG. 5). The CR-SL incorporated the conserved stem-loop structure. The loop sequence of 11 nucleotides was conserved in all BBTV components with the exception of two nucleotides and was similar to that present in nine geminiviruses (Lazarowitz, 1992, Geminiviruses: genome structure and gene function. 2), CFDV (Rohde et aL, 1990. Virology 176 648-651) and a further BBTV component (Yeh et al., 1994, Virology 198 645 652. A model for implicating the loop sequence in rolling circle replication has been described for geminiviruses (Saunders et al., 1993, DNA forms of the geminivirus--African cassava mosaic virus--consistent with the rolling circle mechanism of replication. IXth International Congress of Virology, Glasgow, August, 1993. Abstract P60-18). It is possible that the loop sequence in BBTV has a similar function. The stem-loop sequences were also highly conserved in all BBTV components and contained the pentanucleotide sequence TACCC which has been shown to be the site for initiation of viral strand DNA synthesis in wheat dwarf geminivirus (Heyraud et al., 1993, EMBO Journal 12 4445-4452). 
     The major common region (CR-M) was identified in all components and was located 3&#39; of the major ORF (except for component 2 where no major ORF was identified) and 5&#39; of the CR-SL (FIG. 5). Hexanucleotide repeats were identified within the CR-M in all components except that of component 1. However, no function could be directly attributed to these repeats but they may be associated with, or part of promoter sequences. The CR-M also contained a 15 nt GC-rich sequence located at the 3&#39; end and had the potential to form a small stem-loop structure. This GC-rich sequence also contained two direct GC-repeats which resembled the Sp1 binding sites found in promoters of genes in animal cells and viruses (Fenoll et al., 1990, Plant Molecular Biology 15 865-877). A similar promoter in the monocot-infecting maize streak geminivirus has been shown to be required for maximal rightward transcription and also appeared to bind maize nuclear factors in a non-cooperative manner (Fenoll et al, 1990, Plant Molecular Biology 15 865-877). 
     Karen et al., 1994, Journal of General Virology 75 3541-3546, reported that the component 1 CR-M sequence was highly conserved within the &#34;South Pacific&#34; group of BBTV isolates (96.5% homology) and within the &#34;Asian&#34; group of isolates (98.0% homology) but was highly variable between the two groups of isolates (68.0% homology). There was 76% between the CR-M sequences of the six different components of an Australian isolate reported here. Therefore, it will be important to determine the level of homology between the CR-M sequences of individual components from the different groups of isolates to see whether these sequences are highly conserved within groups of isolates but variable between groups and different components and further whether this has any biological significance. 
     The nucleotide length and sequence between the CR-M and CR-SL was dissimilar in four of the six components. However, in components 3 and 4, this 175 nucleotides region was 97% homologous and the 334 nucleotides from the 5&#39; end of the CR-M to the 3&#39; end of the CR-SL were 98% homologous. A similar large common region of 300 nucleotides has been found in geminiviruses and is identical between the A and B components of individual bipartite geminiviruses (Lazarowitz, 1992, Geminiviruses: genome structure and gene function. 2). In geminiviruses, this region included the stem-loop region. A region of homology was also found in five of the seven components of SCSV which included the stem-loop region (Surin et al., 1993, The subterranean clover stunt virus genome consists of micro-chromosomes encoding single ORFs. IXth International Congress of Virology, Glasgow, August, 1993. Abstract P62-1) which is similar to the geminiviruses but different to four of the six BBTV components. 
     Components 3, 4, 5 and 6 all had one large ORF in the virion sense, 3&#39; of the CR-SL. Each of these ORFs had potential conserved TATA boxes and polyadenylation signals associated with them (FIG. 8). The potential TATA boxes highly conserved with the nonanucleotide sequence CTATa/ta/tAa/tA(SEQ ID NO:55) which was essentially similar to that described by Bucher et a., 1990, Journal of Molecular Biology 212 563-578. The distance between the potential TATA box and the translation initiation codon varied in each component from 13 nucleotides in component 3 to 102 nucleotides in component 1. An ATGG translation initiation codon was identified in the five components encoding large ORFs. However, two possible translation initiation codons were identified in component 3, the first at nucleotide 213 (ATGT) and the second at nucleotide 227 (ATGG); the second initiation codon was in frame with the first. This would suggest that the second initiation codon is the correct codon; this could be verified by 5&#39; RACE or N-terminal sequencing of the ORF translation product. GT-rich regions were identified 0 to 24 nucleotides 3&#39; of each of the polyadenylation signals in components 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Each of these GT-rich regions contained the nucleotide sequence TTG. Both the polyadenylation signals in components 3 and 6 had these sequences. The combination of a consensus polyadenylation signal (Aa/tTAAa/t) and a 3&#39; proximal GT-rich region containing the trinucleotide sequence TTG were only associated with the single major virion sense ORF in components 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and were not identified elsewhere in these sequences suggesting that each of these components encoded a single gene. Similar sequences have been associated with many polyadenylation signals and may be required for efficient termination (Gil &amp; Proudfoot, 1984, Nature 312 473-474; Conway &amp; Wickens, 1985, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences U.S.A. 82 3949-3953). 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     Modification of Expression With Intergenic Regions of BBTV 
     Materials and Method 
     The Plasmids 
     Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation 
     All potential promoter sequences derived from the BBTV genome were ligated into the Agrobacterium binary vector, pBI101.3 (Clontech). This plasmid has an antibiotic resistance cassette consisting of nopaline synthase promoter/NPTII gene (kanamycin resistance gene)/nopaline synthase (NOS) terminator and a &#34;promoterless&#34; β-glucuronidase gene (GUS) with a NOS terminator. The BBTV derived sequences were ligated separately into the unique BamHI site 5&#39; of the promoterless GUS gene. The plasmid, pBI121 (Clontech) was used as the control plasmid. This plasmid is identical to pBI101.3 except that it has the CaMV 35S promoter 5&#39; of the GUS gene promoting GUS expression. 
     Micro-projectile Bombardment 
     For transient analysis of BBTV promoter activity via micro-projectile bombardment, the BBTV promoter/GUS/nos cassette was sub-cloned into pGEM3zf +  (Promega). As a positive control for most experiments the CaMV 35S promoter/GUS/nos cassette was similarly sub-cloned from pBI121 into pGEM3zf +  (pGEM35S-GUS). Large quantities of these plasmids in a highly purified form were prepared for biolistics using Qiagen Plasmid Maxi Kit (Qiagen) as per manufacturers instructions. 
     Transformation 
     The plasmids, pBI121, pBI101.3 or pBI101.3 with BBTV derived sequences 5&#39; of the GUS gene were introduced into a range of plant species and tissue types either by microprojectile bombardment, electroporation or Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (Horsch et al., 1989, In: Plant Molecular Biology Manual, Gelvin et al. (eds.) Dordrecht Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp A5/1-A5/9; Hauptmann et al., 1987, Plant Cell Reports 6 265-270; Last et al., 1991, Theoretical and Applied Genetics 81 581-588). 
     Assay for GUS expression is essentially the same as described in Jefferson, 1987, Plant Molecular Reporter 5(4): 387-405. 
     Preparation of BBTV Promoter Constructs 
     Primers 
     
         BT6.1 (25mer)      5&#39; gcctgcagagttgtgctgtaatgtt 3&#39;                            (SEQ ID NO:41)   - BT6.2 (24mer)    gcggatccgcttctgccttccgct (SEQ ID NO:42)   - BT6.3 (25mer)    gccctgcagcatggacgtcagcaagg (SEQ ID NO:43)   - BT3.1 (24mer)    gcctgcagactattgtatggaatg (SEQ ID NO:44)   - BT3.2 (23mer)    gcggatccctatctagacactgg (SEQ ID NO:45)   - BT4.1 (23mer)    gctctagaatgggtattgatgta (SEQ ID NO:46)   - BT4.2 (25mer)    gcggatccttagctgcgtcctattt (SEQ ID NO:47)   - BT5.2 (23mer)    gcggatccgacgagtgatttcgg (SEQ ID NO:48)   - BT129V3.17 (17mer)    gttatcatggcatcgac (SEQ ID NO:49)   - BT1R1.17 (17mer)    gaacaagtaatgacttt (SEQ ID NO:50)   - BT1.F4.30 (30mer)    ggaagaagcctctcatctgcttcagagagc (SEQ ID NO:51)                                       - BT1.INT.R28    ggatcctacatga                                     caatttaaatgaacc (SEQ ID NO:52)                                       - BT1.INT.F25    aagcttataaaac                                     gaaggcgatgaa (SEQ ID NO:53) 
    
     PCR Conditions 
     Sequential Steps 
     1. 94° C.×5 min 
     2. 94° C.×1 min) 
     42° C.×1 min)×40 
     72° C.×1 min) 
     3. 72° C.×10 min 
     1. Cloning of BBTV Intergenic Regions 
     BBTV Component 6 
     Full length component six (1089 bp) 
     1. Intergenic region was PCR amplified from BBTV6 clone P2A1 using primers BT6.1 (+746) and BT6.2 (+280). 
     2. The 623 bp intergenic region was subcloned as a PstI and BamHI fragment into pUC19 (pUC6.1). 
     3. The intergenic region was cloned from pUC6.1 as a HindIII and BamHI fragment into pBI101.2 (pBT6.1). 
     4. The BBTV6 promoter/GUS/nos fragment from pBT6.1 was subcloned into pGEM3zf +   as a HindIII and EcoRI fragment (pGEM6.1-GUS). 
     Generation of BBTV6 Intergenic Region 5&#39; Deletions Construction of pBT6.2 
     1. A 272 bp 5&#39; deletion of the BBTV6 intergenic region was generated by digestion of pUC6.1 with AccI, a restriction site present at +1018 in the component six circle, and PstI present in the 5&#39; region of the multiple cloning site of pUC19. 
     2. The ends were filled using Klenow fragment and religated to produce pUC6.2. 
     3. The 351 bp fragment was cloned from pUC6.2 as a HindIII and BamHI fragment into pBI101.3 (pBT6.2). 
     4. The BBTV6 promoter (351 bp)/GUS/nos cassette was subcloned from pBT6.2 as a HindIII and EcoRI fragment into pGEM3zf +   (pGEM6.2-GUS). 
     Construction of pBT6.3 
     1. A 384 bp 5&#39; deletion of the BBTV6 intergenic region was generated by PCR amplification from BBTV6 clone P2A1 using primers BT6.3 (+41) and BT6.2 (+280). 
     2. The 239 bp intergenic region was cloned as a PstI and BamHI fragment into pUC19 (pUC6.3). 
     3. The intergenic region was cloned from pUC6.3 as a HindIII and BamHI fragment into pBI101.3 (pBT6.3) 
     4. The BBTV6 promoter (239 bp)/GUS/nos cassette was subcloned from pBT6.3 as a HindIII and EcoRI fragment into pGEM3zf +   (pGEM6.3-GUS). 
     Construction of pBT6.4 
     1. A 451 bp 5&#39; deletion of the BBT6 intergenic region was generated by digestion of pUC6.3 with BamHI and HaeIII (a restriction site present at position +108 in the BBTV 6 circle). 
     2. Ends were filled using Klenow fragment and the 172 bp fragment blunt-end cloned into the Smal site of pBI101.3 (pBT6.4). 
     3. The BBTV6 promoter (172 bp)/GUS/nos cassette was subcloned from pBT6.4 as a HindIII and EcoRI fragment into pGEM3zf +  (pGEM 6.4-GUS). 
     BBTV Component I 
     Full length component one (1111 bp) 
     1. A 225 bp fragment containing the BBTV1 intergenic region was PCR amplified from full-length BBTV1 clone using primers BT1R1.17 (+986) and BT1F4.30 (+129). 
     2. The resulting PCR product was digested with TaqI (a restriction site present at position +118 in the BBTV1 circle). 
     3. The resulting 214 bp fragment was blunt ended using Klenow fragment and cloned into the SmaI site of pBI101.3 (pBT1.1). 
     4. The BBTV1 promoter (214 bp)/GUS/nos cassette was subcloned from pBT1.1 as a HindIII and EcoRI fragment into pGEM3zf +  (pGEMI 1.1-GUS). 
     Note: A small ORF in BBTV-1 was identified by 3&#39; RACE experiments. This ORF is located at position +430 to +565. Based on the location of this ORF another BBTV-1 intergenic promoter was isolated. 
     1. The large intergenic region based on the recently identified smaller ORF in BBTV-1 was PCR amplified from full length BBTV-1 clone using primers BT1.INT.R28 (+429) and BT1.INT.F25 (+560). 
     2. The resulting 980 bp intergenic region was cloned upstream of the GUS reporter gene in pBI101.3 as a BamHI and HindIII fragment (pBT1.INT). 
     BBTV Component 2 
     Full length component two (1059 bp) 
     BBTV2 full length double stranded replicative form, cloned into pUC19 as an XbaI fragment at position +361 (pUC-BT2) was obtained from Raktham Wanitchakom. 
     1. An 855 bp intergenic fragment was generated from pUC-BT2 by digestion with XbaI and AccI (a restriction site present at position +565 in the component two circle). The AccI end was blunt ended using Klenow fragment and the XbaI site kept sticky. 
     2. This full intergenic region was directionally cloned into similarly prepared pGEM3zf +   vector (pGEM2.1). 
     3. The intergenic region was cloned from pGEM2.1 as a HindIII and BamHI fragment into pBI101.3 (pBT2.1). 
     4. The BBTV2 promoter (866 bp)/GUS/nos cassette was subcloned from pBT2.1 as a HindIII and EcoRI fragment into pGEM3zf +  (pGEM2.1-GUS). 
     BBTV Component 3 
     Full length component three (1075 bp) 
     1 Component 3 full intergenic region was PCR amplified from BBTV infected banana nucleic extract (QId) using primers BT3.1 (+761) and BT3.2 (+212). 
     2. The 526 bp intergenic region was subcloned as a PstI BamHI fragment into pGEM3zf +   (pGEM3.1). 
     3. The intergenic region was cloned from pGEM3.1 as a HindIII and BamHI fragment into pBI101.3 (pBT3.1). 
     4. The BBTV3 promoter (526 bp)/GUS/nos cassette was subcloned from pBT3.1 as a HindIII and EcoRI fragment into pGEM3zf +   (pGEM3.1-GUS). 
     BBTV Component 4 
     Full length component four (1043 bp) 
     1. Component 4 full intergenic region was PCR amplified from BBTV infected banana nucleic extract (QId) using primers BT4.1 (+662) and BT4.2 (+278). 
     2. The 659 bp intergenic region was subcloned as an XbaI and BamHI fragment into pGEM3zf +   (pGEM4.1). 
     3. The intergenic region was cloned from pGEM4.1 as an XbaI and BamHI fragment into pBI101.3 (pBT4.1). 
     4. The BBTV4 promoter (659 bp)/GUS/nos cassette was subcloned from pBT4.1 as an XbaI and EcoRI fragment into pGEM3zf +   (pGEM4.1-GUS). 
     BBTV Component 5 
     Full length component five (1018 bp) 
     1. Component 5 intergenic region was PCR amplified from BBTV diseased banana nucleic acid extract (QId) using primers BT129V3.17 (+639) and BT5.2 (+230). 
     2. The resulting PCR product was digested with BamHI and AccI (a restriction site present at position +794 in the component 5 circle). The AccI site was blunt ended using Klenow fragment and the BamHI end kept sticky. 
     3. The resulting 454 bp intergenic region was directionally sub-cloned into similarly prepared pGEM3zf +   (pGEM5.1). 
     4. The intergenic region was cloned from pGEM5.1 as a HindIII and BamHI fragment into pBI101.3 (pBT5.1). 
     5. The BBTV5 promoter (454 bp)/GUS/nos cassette was subcloned from pBT5.1 as a HindIII and EcoRI fragment into pGEM3zf +  (pGEM5.1-GUS). 
     2. Transient Analysis of BBTV Promoter Activity via Micro-projectile Bombardment of Nicotiana tabacum (NT) Cell Line 
     Preparation of NT Cell Suspension 
     1. 25 mL of NT cell suspension was subcultured into 75 mL of fresh NT liquid media and shaken at 28° C. under moderate light 
     2. Two days post subculture, 50 mL of the actively growing NT culture was transferred to a 50 mL Falcon tube and allowed to settle for 5-10 min. 
     3. The resulting packed NT cell volume was resuspended in an equal volume of NT liquid media. 
     4. 200 μL aliquots of the NT cell mix were spotted onto NT solid media and allowed to air dry for 3-4 hrs. 
     5. NT spots were incubated at 28° C. under moderate light for 2 days. 
     6. NT spots were subjected to micro-projectile bombardment as described below. Five NT spots were shot per promoter construct. 
     7. Following biolistics NT spots were incubated at 28° C. under moderate light for 3 days. 
     8. Promoter activity was qualitatively analysed by GUS staining one NT spot per promoter construct using X-glucuronide substrate. The remaining four NT spots were subjected to quantitative GUS fluorometric analysis using MUG substrate. These techniques were performed essentially as described Jefferson, 1987, Plant Molecular Reporter 5(4): 387-405. 
     Preparation of DNA-gold Suspension for Micro-projectile Bombardment 
     1. Gold suspension was vortexed briefly and sonicated in ice water for 30 sec. 
     2. DNA-gold suspension was prepared on ice by addition of 2 μg of DNA, 25 μL of CaCl.2H 2  O (2.5M) and 5 μL of spermidine free base (0.1M) to 25 μL of gold suspension (100 mg/mL). 
     3. DNA-gold suspension was vortexed intermittently for 5 min then left to settle on ice for 10 min. 
     4. A 22 μL volume of the supernatant was removed and discarded. The remaining suspension was vortexed and a 5 μL aliquot used for micro-projectile bombardment. 
     5. One preparation of gold was used per promoter construct. This DNA-gold suspension provided enough suspension to shoot five NT spots. 
     Shooting Conditions for the Particle Inflow Gun 
     25 mm Hg vacuum 
     Helium pressure approximately 550 Kpa 
     Platform height 10 cm 
     Mesh used to protect target 
     Constructs Used 
     Tests: pGEM6.1-GUS, pGEM6.2-GUS, pGEM 6.3-GUS, pGEM6.4-GUS pGEM1.1-GUS, pGEM2.1-GUS, pGEM3.1-GUS, pGEM4.1-GUS, pGEM5.1 -GUS 
     Controls: pGEM35S-GUS 
     Results: The results of the experiment are shown in FIG./ 
     Comparison of BSTV6 Promoter Activity 
     1. The full intergenic region of BBTV component six has promoter activity comparable to that of the 800 bp CaMV 35S promoter from pBI121. 
     2. The 272 bp 5&#39; deletion (pGEM6.2-GUS) causes a significant increase in promoter activity which is maintained with a further 112 bp 5&#39; deletion (pGEM6.3-GUS). 
     3. Promoter activity is significantly reduced with a further 75 bp 5&#39; deletion (pGEM6.4-GUS). 
     Significance of Results 
     The increase observed in promoter activity between plasmids pGEM6.1-GUS and pGEM6.2-GUS implies the 272 bp region surrounding the CR-M may contain a putative down-regulatory sequence responsible for this reduction in promoter activity. 
     The levels of promoter activity observed between plasmids pGEM6.2-GUS, pGEM6.3-GUS and pGEM6.4-GUS indicates the majority of the strong promoter activity associated with the BBTV6 intergenic region is associated with a 112 bp region situated 3&#39; of the CR-S/L. Importantly, this region contains a putative promoter motif TGA-1b (position +44), which contains the core sequence TGACGT, analogous to other promoter motifs and transcription factor binding domains. 
     Comparison of BBTV1-6 Promoters 
     1. BBTV-1 promoter has no activity in transient transformation of NT cell suspensions. 
     2. BBTV-2 promoter has the highest promoter activity of the six BBTV components, with levels 2-3 fold greater than the 800 bp CaMV 35S promoter derived from pBI121. 
     3. BBTV-3, -4, and -5 promoters are relatively weak with levels of activity about 50% less than the CaMV 35S promoter. 
     4. BBTV-6 full intergenic region has similar level of promoter activity as that of the CaMV 35S promoter. 
     Significance of Results 
     The absence of promoter activity associated with the BBTV-intergenic region may indicate this promoter has a highly tissue specific expression pattern or requires transcription factors absent in tobacco nuclei. The identification of a putative promoter motif (Type-1 element of the wheat histone H3 gene) associated with S-phase specific cell expression within this promoter may imply its activity is restricted to actively dividing meristematic tissue types. 
     The high levels of promoter activity associated with the BBTV-2 intergenic region may make this sequence a potentially useful promoter to drive high level expression. Despite the fact that BBTV infects a monocot, it appears from this study BBTV2-6 promoters are active, to varying degrees, in a dicot system. 
     3. Transient Analysis of BBTV Promoter Activity in Other Plant Species 
     Micro-projectile Bombardment of Cucumber 
     1. Cucumber pre-embryogenic callus was sub-cultured onto SQM2EV media 2 weeks prior to biolistic transformation. 
     2. Callus was transferred to small SQM2EV plates 4 days prior to biolistic transformation. 
     3. Micro-projectile bombardment was done as previously above. 
     4. GUS activity was observed in transformed callus via qualitative GUS staining using X-glucuronide substrate (2 days post biolistics). 
     Constructs Used: pBT6.1, pBT6.3, pBT1.1, pBI121 
     Results 
     1. Both pBT6.1 and pBT6.3 produced a similar number of blue foci (transformation events) as pBI121 following GUS staining. 
     2. pBT1.1 showed no evidence of promoter activity in cucumber callus (ie. no blue foci were observed). 
     Electroporation of Zucchini Protoplasts 
     Isolation of Zucchini Protoplasts 
     1. A 1.5 mL volume of embryogenic zucchini callus suspension was mixed with 20 mL of Enzyme Mix (E3) and incubated at 25° C. in the dark on a slow shaker (30-50 RPM) for 5-6 hrs. 
     2. Protoplasts were isolated by passage through 450 μm, 105 μm and 51 μm sized sieves and centrifugation at 40-50 9 for 5 min. 
     3. Proplasts were washed once in PWS solution and finally resuspended in a known volume of TBS. 
     4. Cell numbers were estimated using a calibrated slide counter and the volume adjusted to contain 1×10 6  protoplasts/mL. 
     5. 10 μg of plasmid DNA was added to 1 mL of protoplasts and incubated on ice for 10 min. 
     Electroporation of Zucchini Protoplasts 
     1. The protoplasts: DNA mixture was electroporated in a BioRad electroporation cuvette (0.4 cm electrode gap) with 10 μg of plasmid DNA using a Gene Pulsar (BioRad) apparatus with 3 pulses of 300V, 10 msec pulse width and 100 msec pulse delay. 
     2. Protoplasts were incubated for a further 10 min on ice and pelleted by centrifugation at 1000 RPM in a microfuge. 
     3. Protoplasts were washed once in Culture Media 415A and finally resuspended in 1 mL of 415A. 
     4. Protoplasts were transferred to a 12 well microtitre plate and incubated for 48 hrs on a slow shaker in the dark. 
     5. Following incubation the protoplasts were harvested by centrifugation and assayed for GUS activity. 
     Fluorometric GUS Assay 
     1. A 5 μg quantity of extracted protoplast protein was used standardly for fluorometric assays (estimated using BioRad Protein Assay Reagent). 
     2. Volume was adjusted to 100 μL with protein extraction buffer and incubated with 100 μL of MUG substrate (2 mM) at 37° C. for 30 min. 
     3. Reactions were stopped by addition of 1 mL of Na 2  CO 3 . 
     4. Enzymic activity was estimated against a 4-MU standard curve (0-500 nM) using a fluorometric spectrophotometer (excitation--365 nm; emission--455 nm; integration time--10). 
     The GUS activity was analysed using a fluorometric assay described by Jefferson, 1987, Plant Molecular Reporter 5(4): 387-405. Constructs Used: pBT6.3, pBT1.1, pBI121. 
     Results 
     
         ______________________________________CONSTRUCT  GUS ACTIVITY (pmol MU/min/mg protein)______________________________________pBI101.3   0  pBI121 10,000  pBT1.1  &lt;1000  pBT6.3 22,000______________________________________ 
    
     No GUS activity was observed with the promoterless GUS binary vector (pBI101.3) 
     Levels of GUS activity driven by the 239 bp fragment of BBTV6 intergenic region (pBT6.3) were 2-fold greater than the 800 bp CaMV 35S promoter (pBI121) 
     Little to no GUS activity was observed from the BBTV1 promoter (pBT1.1). 
     Micro-projectile Bombardment of Wheat Cell Suspension 
     1. Wheat cell suspension was subcultured into 50 mL WTL1 media 4 days prior to micro-projectile bombardment. 
     2. Wheat cells were pelleted by low speed centrifugation and resuspended in 10 mL WTL1 media. 
     3. Cells were transferred to sterile filter paper immediately prior to bombardment. 
     4. Micro-projectile bombardment was done as previously described. 
     5. Two days post-biolistics the transformed wheat suspension was subjected to GUS staining using X-glucuronide substrate. 
     Constructs Used: pBT1.1, pBT2.1, pBT3.1, pBT4.1, pBT5.1, pBT6.1, pBI121, DM8052 (rice actin enhanced promoter driving GUS expression). 
     Results 
     1. Rice actin enhanced promoter produced &gt;5000 blue foci per transformation. 
     2. pBI121 produced, on average approximately 70 blue foci per transformation. 
     3. Of all the BBTV promoter constructs tested, only pBT2. 1 was active, producing on average 100 blue foci per transformation. 
     Micro-projectile Bombardment of Banana Male Flower Embryogenic Callus 
     1. An embryogenic culture of Cavendish banana cv. &#34;Williams&#34; was generated using male flowers as described by Escalant et al., 1994, In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology 30P: 181-186. This culture was maintained in a temporary immersion system in liquid MP medium (Escalant et al., 1994, In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology 30P: 181-186). 
     2. Five days prior to micro-projectile bombardment the embryogenic callus was transferred to solid MP medium. 
     3. Tissue was subjected to micro-projectile bombardment as previously described. 
     4. Transient GUS activity was visualised by GUS staining using X-glucuronide substrate 2 days post biolistics. 
     Constructs Used: pGEM2.1-GUS, pGEM3.1-GUS, pGEM4.1-GUS, pGEM5.1-GUS, pGEM-Ubi (Maize ubiquitin promoter driving GUS expression). 
     Results 
     1. Maize ubiquitin promoter drives high level expression of GUS in this tissue type, with intensely blue staining foci or transformation events (the exact number of foci are difficult to determine due to intensity and number). 
     2. Of the BBTV promoter constructs tested, all promoters have shown low levels of activity (&lt;10 blue foci per transformation). The approximate order of strength based on the number of blue foci is: pGEM2.1-GUS (highest), pGEM4.1-GUS, pGEM3.1-GUS, and pGEM5.1-GUS (lowest). 
     Significance of Results 
     Results from transient analysis of BBTV promoter activity in alternative plant species indicate that the BBTV6 promoter (particularly the 239 bp fragment, pBT6.3) appears to be active in undifferentiated cucurbit (dicot) tissue types. 
     Results from micro-projectile bombardment of wheat cell suspension imply only the BBTV2 promoter is active to a significant degree. This result indicates that at least one of the BBTV promoters is active to some extent in Graminaceae monocots. 
     Transient assays using banana embryogenic cultures indicates that the BBTV promoters tested to date have some level of activity in their host plant species. Again, the strongest of the BBTV promoters tested was that of BBTV component 2, which may reflect its importance as a potentially useful promoter in the future. 
     4. Stable Transformation of NT Cell Suspension by Agrobacterium Infection 
     1. Two to three days prior to transformation a 5 mL LB culture containing 100 μ/mL kanamycin was inoculated with the transformed Agrobacterium strain of interest, from 40% glycerol stock. 
     2. NT cells were used 5-7 days post-subculture (4 mL of this culture was used per transformation, with an additional 4 mL for the control which received no bacteria). Note: duplicate transformation were performed for each construct. 
     3. 1 μL of acetosyringone (2 mM in ethanol) was added per mL of NT cells. 
     4. Using a 5 mL pipette, the NT cells were pipetted in and out about 20 times to help induce lesions and enhance the transformation event. 
     5. 100 μL of Agrobacterium culture (dense growth) was added to a microtitre plate containing 4 mL of the treated NT cells, and mixed thoroughly. 
     6. Plates were incubated for 3 days at 28° C. under moderate light. 
     7. Post incubation, 10 mL of NT liquid medium containing 500 μg/mL carbenicillin (NTC) was added to each well. 
     8. Cells were centrifuged at 1K for 4 min in 5 mL Falcon tubes made up to volume with NTC. 
     9. Washes were repeated 2 times. 
     10. Cells were finally resuspended in 5 mL NTC and 2 mL plated onto 2 NTKC solid media (kanamycin 100 μg/mL, carbenicillin 500 μg/mL). Plates were incubated at 28° C. under moderate light. 
     11. 3-4 weeks post infection transformants were subcultured individually and maintained under selection with fortnightly subculturing. 
     12. Promoter activity was observed by GUS staining using X-glucuronide substrate. 
     Constructs Used: pBT6.1 (3 NT lines), pBT6.2 (3 NT lines), pBT6.3 (2 NT lines), pBT2.1 (25 NT lines). 
     Results 
     1. Strong GUS activity in stably transformed NT callus with all BBTV promoter constructs. 
     2. Some variation in expression between different lines of BT2.1 transformed NT, most probably due to the position effect (position of DNA integration into host genome) and number of integrated copies. 
     Significance of Results 
     These experiments indicate that the BBTV6 and BBTV2 promoters are highly active in stably transformed tobacco undifferentiated cell types. These findings support results from micro-projectile bombardment, in which these promoters showed strong transient activity. Furthermore, these results confirm that activity from these promoters is not affected to a significant degree by stable integration in the host genome. 
     5. Stable Transformation of Tobacco by Agrobacterium-mediated Infection of Leaf Discs 
     1. Promoter binary constructs were introduced into Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 by electroporation. 
     2. Transformed Agrobacterium were grown under kanamycin selection (100 μg/mL) and confirmed to contain the promoter construct by a modified alkaline lysis procedure. 
     3. Two to three days prior to transformation a 5 mL LB culture of the transformed Agrobacteria to be used was initiated from either a single colony or 40% glycerol stock, and shaken at 28° C. 
     4 The culture was diluted 1 in 20 with LB and transferred to a sterile 10 mL vial. 
     5. Leaves from 3-6 week old tobacco (Nicotiana xanthii) were excised and cut into pieces 1 cm×1 cm. 
     6. These pieces were transferred to the diluted Agrobacterium culture and left to soak for 10-15 min. 
     7. Tobacco pieces were blotted dry on sterile filter paper, placed adaxial (upper) side down on MS104 medium and incubated at 28° C. until a slight bacterial growth was visible (2-3 days). 
     8. Leaf pieces were transferred to MS104 selection media (100 mL kμg/anamycin and 200 μg/mL timentin), and incubated under moderate light at 28° C. 
     9. After approximately 2 weeks crown gall callus was visible at the site of infection. After a further 2-5 weeks shoots were apparent. 
     10. When well defined stems were visible, shoots were excised and placed in MS Rooting Media (100 μg/mL kanamycin and 200 μg/mL timentin). 
     11. Actively growing plantlets (with root systems) were maintained in culture under selection and putative transformants subjected to qualitative GUS staining using X-glucuronide substrate. 
     12. In general 6-12 putative transformants were obtained per promoter construct. 
     Constructs used 
     Tests: pBT6.1, pBT6.2, pBT6.3, pBT6.4 pBT2.1, pBT2.2, pBT2.3, pBT2.4 pBT1.1, pBT3.1, pBT4.1, pBT5.1 
     Controls: pBI121 
     Results 
     1. Strong constitutive GUS expression in leaves, stems, and roots transformed with pBI121. 
     2. Weak phloem-limited GUS expression in leaf and root sections from about 10% of tobacco plantlets transformed with the BBTV promoter constructs. The remaining 90% of transformants displayed no GUS activity within leaves and roots. 
     Significance of Results 
     Results obtained from qualitative GUS staining of tissue from the majority (90%) of tobacco stably transformed with the BBTV promoter constructs, implies these promoters have little to no promoter activity in whole plants or differentiated tissues. The fact that some BBTV intergenic regions (components 2 and 6) show high levels of expression in transient systems (micro-projectile bombardment of Nicotiana tabacum cell line), indicates the activity of these promoters may be limited to undifferentiated cell types, or that these promoters are silenced in the transition from undifferentiated callus to differentiated cell types. This theory is further supported by experiments in which callus regenerated from leaves of stably transformed tobacco (showing no GUS activity) display varying levels of GUS expression upon staining. 
     The benefit of such a unique expression pattern may be in driving selective resistance, as most plant transformation systems rely on strong selection of transformed tissue during an undifferentiated cell phase. Therefore a transformation cassette containing a BBTV promoter (component 2 or 6) driving NPTII expression would provide strong kanamycin resistance in transformed tissue during the early stages of plant transformation (callus phase), but once cells were differentiated (ie. formation of shoots, leaves, etc.) the promoter would be switched off. As the expression of antibiotic and herbicidal selection genes in transgenic plants is a major concern in certain countries, the use of such a promoter would be beneficial. 
     6. Analysis of BBTV Promoter Driving NPTII Expression Generation of BBTV6-NPTII Construct 
     1. The 239 bp fragment of BBTV component 6 intergenic region from pUC6.3 was cloned upstream of the 800 bp NPTII gene with CaMV 35S terminator as a BamHI and PstI fragment. 
     2 The resulting BBTV6 promoter (239 bp)/NPTII/CaMV 35S terminator cassette was subcloned as a SacI and XbaI fragment between the left and right borders of the Agrobacterium T-DNA in the binary vector pTAB5. 
     3. The CaMV 35S promoter (530 bp)/GUS/CaMV 35S terminator (200 bp) cassette from pGUS2 was cloned downstream as an EcoRI fragment (see FIG. 14). 
     4. The resulting vector pBT6.3-NPT detailed below was subsequently used for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of tobacco (as previously described). 
     Analysis of Transformants 
     1. Eight putative transformants were obtained following Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of tobacco (Nicotiana xanthii) with the pBT6.3-NPT construct. These eight plants were selected in media containing kanamycin at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. 
     2. Levels of NPTII expression from these plants were estimated using a quantitative NPTII ELISA Kit (5 Prime- 3 Prime) as per manufacturers instructions. Comparisons were made between tissue types (leaves and roots) and between promoters (CaMV 35S promoter and nopaline synthase promoter). 
     Results 
     The results of experiments are shown in FIG. / 
     1. High levels of NPTII expression were obtained in both leaves and roots of plants containing the CaMV 35S promoter driving NPTII expression. 
     2. In general, NPTII levels in the eight plants expressing NPT under the control of the BBTV6 promoter were significantly lower than CaMV 35S promoter. Levels of NPTII expression in the leaves did not exceed 6 ng NPTII/mg protein. Levels within the roots were slightly higher but did not exceed 12 ng NPTII/mg protein. These levels of expression are comparable with the nos promoter. 
     Significance of Results 
     These experiments have shown that the 239 bp fragment of the BBTV6 intergenic region is capable of driving selective resistance in stably transformed tobacco. As predicted, the levels of NPTII expression in the stably transformed plants (leaves and roots) were very low, but comparable with that of the nopaline synthase promoter. 
     7. Regulatory Elements Present in the BBTV Intergenic Regions 
     (I) TATA box 
     present in all BBTV components and positioned upstream of the transcriptional start codon 
     conserved nonanucleotide sequence CTATa/ta/tAa/tA(SEQ ID NO:55) 
     responsible for the correct initiation of transcription 
     (ii) TGA1-a motif 
     consensus sequence TGACGTAA(SEQ ID NO:56) 
     as-1 binding motif involved in transcription regulation 
     (iii) TGA1-b motif 
     hexamer binding motif with consensus sequence TGACGT(SEQ ID NO:57) 
     (iv) Promoter type 1 element of wheat histone H3 gene (hexamer motif) 
     consensus sequence ACGTAA(SEQ ID NO:58) 
     present immediately 3&#39; of the CR-S/L in all BBTV components 
     hexamer motif binds related TAF-1 and HBP-1 proteins 
     linked to expression specifically in the S-phase of the cell cycle (Nakayama et al., 1992, FEBS Letters, 300: 167-170) suggesting promoter activity is limited to undifferentiated, actively dividing cells 
     (v) Adh1 US1 
     consensus sequence CCACG(SEQ ID NO:59) 
     binding factor unknown 
     present in all BBTV intergenic regions (either in virion or complementary sense) 
     (vi) Adh1-US3 
     consensus sequence CGTGG(SEQ ID NO:60) 
     binding factor unknown 
     present in all BBTV intergenic regions (either in virion or complementary sense) 
     8. Plant Tissue Culture Solutions and Media 
     
         ______________________________________MSO Medium          NT Solid Media______________________________________  MS Salts NT liquid media  myo-inositol 100 μg/mL TC Agar 0.7%  thiamine-HCl 10 μg/mL  nicotinic acid 1 μg/mL  pyridoxine-HCl 1 μg/mL  sucrose 3%  TC agar 0.7%  pH 5.7______________________________________  MS104 Medium NTC Media______________________________________  MSO NT liquid media  benzyladenine 1 μg/mL carbenicillin 500 μg/mL  naphthaleneacetic acid 0.1 μg/mL  pH 5.7______________________________________  MS Selection Media NTKC Media______________________________________  MS104 NT solid media  kanamycin 100 μg/mL kanamycin 100 μg/mL  timentin 200 μg/mL carbenicillin 500 μg/mL______________________________________  MS Rooting Media SQM2EV Media______________________________________  MSO with 0.6% TC ager MS Salts  kanamycin 100 μg/mL Myo-inositol 1 mg/mL  timentin 200 μg/mL sucrose 3%   TC Agar 0.7%   2,4-D 10 μM   BAP 1.5 μM______________________________________  NT Liquid Media WTL1 Media______________________________________  MS Salts MS Salts  Sucrose 3% CAB A organics  MES 0.5 μg/mL L-asparagine 5 μg/mL  B1-Inositol 1 μg/mL L-glycine 10 μg/mL  KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4 180 μg/mL Gibco coconut water 2%  2,4-D 0.222 μg/mL NZ amine 50 μg/mL  pH 5.7 glucose 10 mg/mL   sucrose 20 mg/mL   mannitol 20 mg/mL   2,4-D 2 μg/mL   kinetin 0.2 μg/mL   pH 5.8______________________________________ 
    
     PWS Solution--(1 Liter) 
     
         ______________________________________calcium chloride      735    mg  MES 639.6 mg  mannitol 109.3 g  pH 5.6______________________________________ 
    
     Enzyme Mix (E3) 
     2.0% cellulase (R-10) 
     0.5% macerozyme (R-10) 
     0.5% hemicellulase 
     1.0% pectolyase (Y23) 
     0.5% BSA 
     Made up to volume with PWS (pH5.6) 
     TBS SOLUTION--(200 mL) 
     
         ______________________________________Trizma base          0.73   g  sodium chloride 1.75 g  calcium chloride 0.18 g  mannitol 9.2 g  pH 9.0______________________________________ 
    
     9. Significance of the CR-M 
     DNA sequence alignments of the BBTV components 1-6 CR-M are supplied. This region is thought to act as a putative primer binding site and suggested to play a role in BBTV replication. Although the CR-M of BBTV contains two direct GC-repeats which resemble the Sp1 binding sites found in the promoters of genes in animals and viruses (eg. maize streak virus) it appears this region has no promoter enhancing role. This hypothesis is supported by 5&#39; deletion analysis of the BBTV6 intergenic region which has demonstrated that removal of a 272 bp region including the CR-M produces a significant increase in promoter activity. Furthermore preliminary studies with the BBTV2 intergenic region have shown no decrease in promoter activity with removal of the CR-M. 
     CONCLUSIONS 
     We have demonstrated that the intergenic regions or DNA sequences of BBTV components 1 to 6 have promoter activity and that this activity varies from one intergenic region to another. Using transient and stable expression systems we have shown that the BBTV promoters appear to possess a tissue specific expression pattern which may be analogous to the site of BBTV replication and accumulation in its natural host. Furthermore we have identified potential regulatory elements present in at least one of the BBTV promoters (component 6) which appear to influence reporter gene expression. 
     BBTV is a virus that infects monocots of the genus Musa. It could be expected therefore that the promoters derived from BBTV would have the strongest activity in banana and potentially other monocots. Transient studies with wheat cell suspensions and banana embryogenic callus have shown some of the BBTV promoters are active to some extent in such systems. Importantly, we have also found that two of the BBTV promoters (BBTV2 and 6) drive high level transient expression in dicotyledonous (tobacco, cucumber, and zucchini) undifferentiated tissue types. 
     
         __________________________________________________________________________#             SEQUENCE LISTING   - -  - - &lt;160&gt; NUMBER OF SEQ ID NOS: 61   - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 1  &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 1060  &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA  &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)   - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 1   - - ggcgctgggg cttattatta cccccagcgc cgggacggga catgggcttt tt -#aaatgggc     60   - - tttgcgagtt tgaacagttc agtatcttcg ttattgggcc aacccggccc aa -#taattaag    120   - - agaacgtgtt caaattcgtg gtatgaccga aggtcaaggt aaccggtcaa ca -#ttattctg    180   - - gcttgcgcag caagatacac gaattaattt attaattcgt aggacacgtg ga -#cggaccga    240   - - aatactcttg catctctata aataccctaa tcctgtcaag gataattgct ct -#ctctcttc    300   - - tgtcaaggtg gttgtgctga ggcggaagat cgccagcggc gatcgtcgga ac -#gacctgca    360   - - tctagagagg cggcgaggaa actacgaagc gtatatcggg tatttataga ct -#tatagcgt    420   - - agctagaagt atacactgta cagatattgt atcttgtaaa ttacgaagca at -#tcgtattt    480   - - gatattaata aaacaactgg gtttgttaat gtttacatta actagtatct ta -#tatgtaca    540   - - aattaaaata cagtatacgg aacgtatact aacgtaaaaa ttaaatgata gg -#cgaagcat    600   - - gattaacagg tgtttaggta taattaacat aattatgaga agtaataata at -#acggaaaa    660   - - tgaataagta tgaggtgaaa gaggagatat tagaatattt aaaaacccaa tt -#atattatt    720   - - ttggaacgaa atacaacacg ctatgaaata caagacgcta tgacaaatgt ac -#gggaatat    780   - - gattgtgtat cttaacgtat aagggccgca ggcccgtcaa gttgaatgaa cg -#gtccagat    840   - - taattcctta gcgacgaaga aaggaatctt aaaggggacc acattaaaga ca -#gctgtcat    900   - - tgattaaata aataatataa taaccaaaag acctttgtac ccttcctaat ga -#tgacgtat    960   - - aggggtgtcc cgatgtaatt taacatagct ctgaaaagag atatgggccg tt -#ggatgcct   1020   - - ccatcggacg atggaggttg aatgaacttc tgctgacgta     - #  - #  1060  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 2 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 1075 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) &lt;220&gt; FEATURE: &lt;221&gt; NAME/KEY: CDS &lt;222&gt; LOCATION: (213)...(737)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 2  - - agcgctgggg actattatta cccccagcgc tcgggacggg acatgggcta at -#ggattgtg     60   - - gatatagggc ccaaagggcc cgtttagatg ggttttgggc tcatgggctt ta -#tccagaag    120   - - accaaaaaca ggcgggaacc gtcccaaatt caaacttcga ttgcttgccc tg -#caacgcat    180   - - ctagaagtct ataaatacca gtgtctagat ag atg ttc aga caa - # gaa atggct      233               - #                  - #Met Phe Arg Gln Glu Met Ala              - #                  - #  1               5  - - agg tat ccg aag aaa tcc atc aag aag agg cg - #g gtt ggg cgc cgg aag281 Arg Tyr Pro Lys Lys Ser Ile Lys Lys Arg Ar - #g Val Gly Arg Arg Lys     10         - #         15         - #         20  - - tat ggc agc aag gcg gca acg agc cac gac ta - #c tcg tcg tca ggg tca329 Tyr Gly Ser Lys Ala Ala Thr Ser His Asp Ty - #r Ser Ser Ser Gly Ser 25             - #     30             - #     35  - - ata ttg gtt cct gaa aac acc gtc aag gta tt - #t cgg att gag cct act377 Ile Leu Val Pro Glu Asn Thr Val Lys Val Ph - #e Arg Ile Glu Pro Thr  40                 - # 45                 - # 50                 - # 55  - - gat aaa aca tta ccc aga tat ttt atc tgg aa - #a atg ttt atg ctt ctt425 Asp Lys Thr Leu Pro Arg Tyr Phe Ile Trp Ly - #s Met Phe Met Leu Leu             60 - #                 65 - #                 70  - - gtg tgc aag gtg aag ccc gga aga ata ctt ca - #t tgg gct atg atc aag473 Val Cys Lys Val Lys Pro Gly Arg Ile Leu Hi - #s Trp Ala Met Ile Lys         75     - #             80     - #             85  - - agt tct tgg gaa atc aac cag ccg aca acc tg - #t ctg gaa gcc cca ggt521 Ser Ser Trp Glu Ile Asn Gln Pro Thr Thr Cy - #s Leu Glu Ala Pro Gly     90         - #         95         - #        100  - - tta ttt att aaa cct gaa cac agc cat ctg gt - #t aaa ctg gta tgt agt569 Leu Phe Ile Lys Pro Glu His Ser His Leu Va - #l Lys Leu Val Cys Ser105              - #   110              - #   115  - - ggg gaa ctt gaa gca gga gtc gca aca gga ac - #a tca gat gtt gaa tgt617 Gly Glu Leu Glu Ala Gly Val Ala Thr Gly Th - #r Ser Asp Val Glu Cys 120                 1 - #25                 1 - #30                 1 -#35   - - ctt ttg agg aag aca acc gtg ttg agg aag aa - #t gta aca gag gtggat      665  Leu Leu Arg Lys Thr Thr Val Leu Arg Lys As - #n Val Thr Glu Val Asp            140  - #               145  - #               150  - - tat tta tat ttg gca ttc tat tgt agt tct gg - #a gta agt ata aac tac713 Tyr Leu Tyr Leu Ala Phe Tyr Cys Ser Ser Gl - #y Val Ser Ile Asn Tyr        155      - #           160      - #           165  - - cag aac aga att aca tat cat gtt tgatatgttt at - #gtaaacat aaactattgt767 Gln Asn Arg Ile Thr Tyr His Val    170          - #       175  - - atggaatgaa atccaaataa catacaacac gctatgaaat acaagacgct at -#gacaaaag    827   - - tactggtata tgattaggta tcctaacgat ctagggccga aggcccgtga gc -#aatatgcg    887   - - tcgaaataat gtttaacaaa caaatataca tgatacggat agttgaatac at -#aaacaacg    947   - - aggtatacaa tacaacaaac tgttgtaaag aaataaaaaa taagaagaga ga -#gtatattt   1007   - - gtgtcggata agcatcacac ccaccacttt agtggtgggc cagatgtccc ga -#gttagtgc   1067   - - gccacgta                - #                  - #- #        1075   - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 3  &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 175  &lt;212&gt; TYPE: PRT  &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)   - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 3   - - Met Phe Arg Gln Glu Met Ala Arg Tyr Pro Ly - #s Lys Ser Ile LysLys    1               5 - #                 10 - #                 15  - - Arg Arg Val Gly Arg Arg Lys Tyr Gly Ser Ly - #s Ala Ala Thr Ser His         20     - #             25     - #             30  - - Asp Tyr Ser Ser Ser Gly Ser Ile Leu Val Pr - #o Glu Asn Thr Val Lys     35         - #         40         - #         45  - - Val Phe Arg Ile Glu Pro Thr Asp Lys Thr Le - #u Pro Arg Tyr Phe Ile 50             - #     55             - #     60  - - Trp Lys Met Phe Met Leu Leu Val Cys Lys Va - #l Lys Pro Gly Arg Ile  65                 - # 70                 - # 75                 - # 80  - - Leu His Trp Ala Met Ile Lys Ser Ser Trp Gl - #u Ile Asn Gln Pro Thr             85 - #                 90 - #                 95  - - Thr Cys Leu Glu Ala Pro Gly Leu Phe Ile Ly - #s Pro Glu His Ser His        100      - #           105      - #           110  - - Leu Val Lys Leu Val Cys Ser Gly Glu Leu Gl - #u Ala Gly Val Ala Thr    115          - #       120          - #       125  - - Gly Thr Ser Asp Val Glu Cys Leu Leu Arg Ly - #s Thr Thr Val Leu Arg130              - #   135              - #   140  - - Lys Asn Val Thr Glu Val Asp Tyr Leu Tyr Le - #u Ala Phe Tyr Cys Ser 145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -#60   - - Ser Gly Val Ser Ile Asn Tyr Gln Asn Arg Il - #e Thr Tyr His Val            165  - #               170  - #               175  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 4 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 1043 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) &lt;220&gt; FEATURE: &lt;221&gt; NAME/KEY: CDS &lt;222&gt; LOCATION: (279)...(629)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 4  - - agcgctgggg cttattatta cccccagcgc tcgggacggg acatcacgtg cg -#tcaacaaa     60   - - tgcacgtgac tgatataagg gacataacgg gtttagataa cggtttatgc gg -#attagaat    120   - - ataacgtcac gtgtgaaagc cgaaaggcac gtgacgaaga caaatggatt ga -#ataaacat    180   - - ttgacgtccg gtagcttccg aaggaagtaa gcttcgcggc gaagcaaacc at -#ttatatat    240   - - ttgcgtaggc ttgcggccta taaataggac gcagctaa atg gca tta - #aca acagag    296               - #                  - #      Met Ala Leu Thr Thr Glu              - #                  - #        1          - #     5  - - cgg gtg aaa cta ttc ttt gaa tgg ttt ctg tt - #c ttt gga gca ata ttt344 Arg Val Lys Leu Phe Phe Glu Trp Phe Leu Ph - #e Phe Gly Ala Ile Phe         10     - #             15     - #             20  - - att gcg att aca ata tta tat ata ttg ttg gt - #t ttg ctc ttt gag gta392 Ile Ala Ile Thr Ile Leu Tyr Ile Leu Leu Va - #l Leu Leu Phe Glu Val     25         - #         30         - #         35  - -  - - ccc agg tat att aag gag ctc gtg agg tgt tt - #g gta gaa tacctg acc      440  Pro Arg Tyr Ile Lys Glu Leu Val Arg Cys Le - #u Val Glu Tyr Leu Thr 40             - #     45             - #     50  - -  - - aga cga cgt gta tgg atg cag agg acg cag tt - #g acg gag gcaact gga      488  Arg Arg Arg Val Trp Met Gln Arg Thr Gln Le - #u Thr Glu Ala Thr Gly  55                 - # 60                 - # 65                 - # 70  - -  - - gat gta gag atc ggc aga ggt att gtg gaa ga - #c aga cga gatcaa gaa      536  Asp Val Glu Ile Gly Arg Gly Ile Val Glu As - #p Arg Arg Asp Gln Glu             75 - #                 80 - #                 85  - -  - - ccg gct gtc ata cca cat gta tct cag gta at - #c cct tct caacca aat      584  Pro Ala Val Ile Pro His Val Ser Gln Val Il - #e Pro Ser Gln Pro Asn         90     - #             95     - #            100  - -  - - aga agg gat gat caa gga aga cga gga aac gc - #t gga cct atgttc          62 - #9  Arg Arg Asp Asp Gln Gly Arg Arg Gly Asn Al - #a Gly Pro Met Phe    105          - #       110          - #       115  - - taatacacgg tatattaata tacgaaatat aaatgggtat tgatgtaaat ga -#tcatacat    689   - - aatatatgta tgataatgaa acatattgta atatgtgaat tgtaaacgag ag -#ttgtatgt    749   - - ataaaacata caacacgcta tgaaatacaa gacgctatga caaaagtact gg -#tatatgat    809   - - taggtatcct aacgatctag ggccgaaggc ccgtgagcaa tatgcgtcga aa -#taatgttt    869   - - aacaaacaaa tatacatgat acggatagtt gaatacataa acaacgaggt at -#acaataca    929   - - acaaactgtt gtaaagaaat aaaaaataag aagagatagt atatttgtgt tg -#gataagcc    989   - - ttgcaaccac cactttagtg gtgggccaga tgtcccgagt tagtgcgcca cg - #ta1043  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 5 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 117 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: PRT &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 5  - - Met Ala Leu Thr Thr Glu Arg Val Lys Leu Ph - #e Phe Glu Trp Phe Leu   1               5 - #                 10 - #                 15  - - Phe Phe Gly Ala Ile Phe Ile Ala Ile Thr Il - #e Leu Tyr Ile Leu Leu         20     - #             25     - #             30  - - Val Leu Leu Phe Glu Val Pro Arg Tyr Ile Ly - #s Glu Leu Val Arg Cys     35         - #         40         - #         45  - - Leu Val Glu Tyr Leu Thr Arg Arg Arg Val Tr - #p Met Gln Arg Thr Gln 50             - #     55             - #     60  - - Leu Thr Glu Ala Thr Gly Asp Val Glu Ile Gl - #y Arg Gly Ile Val Glu  65                 - # 70                 - # 75                 - # 80  - - Asp Arg Arg Asp Gln Glu Pro Ala Val Ile Pr - #o His Val Ser Gln Val             85 - #                 90 - #                 95  - - Ile Pro Ser Gln Pro Asn Arg Arg Asp Asp Gl - #n Gly Arg Arg Gly Asn        100      - #           105      - #           110  - - Ala Gly Pro Met Phe    115  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 6 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 1018 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) &lt;220&gt; FEATURE: &lt;221&gt; NAME/KEY: CDS &lt;222&gt; LOCATION: (240)...(722)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 6  - - agcgctgggg cttattatta cccccagcgc tcgggacggg acatcacgtg ca -#actaacag     60   - - acgcacgtga gaatgcagta gcttgcagcg aaagatagac gtcaacatca at -#aaagaaga    120   - - aggaatattc tttgcttcgg cacgaagcaa agggtataga tatttgttcg ag -#atgcgaaa    180   - - atggaggcta tttaaacctg atggttttgt gatttccgaa atcactcgtc gg -#aagagaa     239   - - atg gag ttc tgg gaa tcg tct gcc atg cct ga - #c gat gtc aag agagag      287  Met Glu Phe Trp Glu Ser Ser Ala Met Pro As - #p Asp Val Lys Arg Glu   1               5 - #                 10 - #                 15  - - att aag gaa ata tat tgg gaa gat cgg aag aa - #a ctt ctg ttc tgt cag335 Ile Lys Glu Ile Tyr Trp Glu Asp Arg Lys Ly - #s Leu Leu Phe Cys Gln         20     - #             25     - #             30  - - aag ttg aag agc tat gtc aga agg att ctt gt - #t tat gga gat caa gag383 Lys Leu Lys Ser Tyr Val Arg Arg Ile Leu Va - #l Tyr Gly Asp Gln Glu     35         - #         40         - #         45  - - gat gcc ctt gcc gga gtg aag gat atg aag ac - #t tct att att cgc tat431 Asp Ala Leu Ala Gly Val Lys Asp Met Lys Th - #r Ser Ile Ile Arg Tyr 50             - #     55             - #     60  - - agc gaa tac ttg aag aaa cca tgt gtg gta at - #t tgt tgt gtt agc aat479 Ser Glu Tyr Leu Lys Lys Pro Cys Val Val Il - #e Cys Cys Val Ser Asn  65                 - # 70                 - # 75                 - # 80  - - aaa tca att gtg tat agg tta aac agc atg gt - #g ttc ttt tat cat gaa527 Lys Ser Ile Val Tyr Arg Leu Asn Ser Met Va - #l Phe Phe Tyr His Glu             85 - #                 90 - #                 95  - - tac ctt gaa gaa cta ggt ggt gat tac tca gt - #a tat caa gat ctc tat575 Tyr Leu Glu Glu Leu Gly Gly Asp Tyr Ser Va - #l Tyr Gln Asp Leu Tyr        100      - #           105      - #           110  - - tgt gat gag gta ctc tct tct tca tcg aca ga - #g gaa gaa gat gta gga623 Cys Asp Glu Val Leu Ser Ser Ser Ser Thr Gl - #u Glu Glu Asp Val Gly    115          - #       120          - #       125  - - gta ata tat agg aat gtt atc atg gca tcg ac - #a caa gag aag ttc tct671 Val Ile Tyr Arg Asn Val Ile Met Ala Ser Th - #r Gln Glu Lys Phe Ser130              - #   135              - #   140  - - tgg agt gat tgt cag cag ata gtt ata tca ga - #c tat gat gta aca tta719 Trp Ser Asp Cys Gln Gln Ile Val Ile Ser As - #p Tyr Asp Val Thr Leu 145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -#60   - - ctc taatgtaata tccattatca tcaataaaat aatggaatgt tgattatgt - #a 772  - - tttatcataa atacataatg gtatacgtat agcataaaat acattaacca ac -#atacaaca    832   - - cactataaaa tacaacacgc tatgacaaat gtacgggtat atgattgggt ta -#tattaacc    892   - - ccttaagggc cgaaggcccg tttaaatatg tgttggacga agtccaaaca ca -#aaaaagta    952   - - agcagaacaa cggaataata tgagctggca acgtagggtc catgtcccga gt -#tagtgcgc   1012   - - cacgta                 - #                  - #                  -#         1018  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 7 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 161 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: PRT &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 7  - - Met Glu Phe Trp Glu Ser Ser Ala Met Pro As - #p Asp Val Lys Arg Glu   1               5 - #                 10 - #                 15  - - Ile Lys Glu Ile Tyr Trp Glu Asp Arg Lys Ly - #s Leu Leu Phe Cys Gln         20     - #             25     - #             30  - - Lys Leu Lys Ser Tyr Val Arg Arg Ile Leu Va - #l Tyr Gly Asp Gln Glu     35         - #         40         - #         45  - - Asp Ala Leu Ala Gly Val Lys Asp Met Lys Th - #r Ser Ile Ile Arg Tyr 50             - #     55             - #     60  - - Ser Glu Tyr Leu Lys Lys Pro Cys Val Val Il - #e Cys Cys Val Ser Asn  65                 - # 70                 - # 75                 - # 80  - - Lys Ser Ile Val Tyr Arg Leu Asn Ser Met Va - #l Phe Phe Tyr His Glu             85 - #                 90 - #                 95  - - Tyr Leu Glu Glu Leu Gly Gly Asp Tyr Ser Va - #l Tyr Gln Asp Leu Tyr        100      - #           105      - #           110  - - Cys Asp Glu Val Leu Ser Ser Ser Ser Thr Gl - #u Glu Glu Asp Val Gly    115          - #       120          - #       125  - - Val Ile Tyr Arg Asn Val Ile Met Ala Ser Th - #r Gln Glu Lys Phe Ser130              - #   135              - #   140  - - Trp Ser Asp Cys Gln Gln Ile Val Ile Ser As - #p Tyr Asp Val Thr Leu 145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -#60   - - Leu   - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 8  &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 1089  &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA  &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  &lt;220&gt; FEATURE:  &lt;221&gt; NAME/KEY: CDS  &lt;222&gt; LOCATION: (281)...(742)   - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 8   - - agcacggggg actattatta ccccccgtgc tcgggacggg acatgacgtc ag -#caaggatt     60   - - ataatgggct ttttattagc ccatttattg aattgggccg ggttttgtca tt -#ttacaaaa    120   - - gcccggtcca ggataagtat aatgtcacgt gccgaattaa aaggttgctt cg -#ccacgaag    180   - - aaacctaatt tgaggttgcg tattcaatac gctaccgaat atctattaat at -#gtgagtct    240   - - ctgccgaaaa aaatcagagc gaaagcggaa ggcagaagcg atg gat tg - #g gcggaa      295               - #                  - #         Met Asp Trp Ala Glu              - #                  - #           1       - #   - - tca caa ttc aag acc tgt act cat gga tgc ga - #t tgg aag aag atatca      343  Ser Gln Phe Lys Thr Cys Thr His Gly Cys As - #p Trp Lys Lys Ile Ser             10 - #                 15 - #                 20  - - tcg gat tca gcc gat aat cga caa tat gta cc - #a tgc gtc gat tct gga391 Ser Asp Ser Ala Asp Asn Arg Gln Tyr Val Pr - #o Cys Val Asp Ser Gly         25     - #             30     - #             35  - - gct gga aga aag tcg cct cgc aag gta ctt ct - #t aga tct att gaa gct439 Ala Gly Arg Lys Ser Pro Arg Lys Val Leu Le - #u Arg Ser Ile Glu Ala     40         - #         45         - #         50  - - gtg ttt aac gga agc ttc agc gga aat aat ag - #g aat gtt cgt gga ttt487 Val Phe Asn Gly Ser Phe Ser Gly Asn Asn Ar - #g Asn Val Arg Gly Phe 55             - #     60             - #     65  - - ctc tac gta tcg atc aga gac gat gac gga ga - #a atg cgt cca gta ctc535 Leu Tyr Val Ser Ile Arg Asp Asp Asp Gly Gl - #u Met Arg Pro Val Leu  70                 - # 75                 - # 80                 - # 85  - - ata gta cca ttc gga gga tat gga tat cat aa - #t gat ttt tat tat ttc583 Ile Val Pro Phe Gly Gly Tyr Gly Tyr His As - #n Asp Phe Tyr Tyr Phe             90 - #                 95 - #                100  - - gaa ggg aag ggg aaa gtt gaa tgt gat ata tc - #a tca gat tat gtt gcg631 Glu Gly Lys Gly Lys Val Glu Cys Asp Ile Se - #r Ser Asp Tyr Val Ala        105      - #           110      - #           115  - - cca gga ata gat tgg agc aga gac atg gaa gt - #t agt att agt aac agc679 Pro Gly Ile Asp Trp Ser Arg Asp Met Glu Va - #l Ser Ile Ser Asn Ser    120          - #       125          - #       130  - - aac aac tgt aat gaa tta tgt gat ctg aag tg - #t tat gtt gtt tgt tcg727 Asn Asn Cys Asn Glu Leu Cys Asp Leu Lys Cy - #s Tyr Val Val Cys Ser135              - #   140              - #   145  - - tta aga atc aag gaa taaaagttgt gctgtaatgt taattaata - #a aacgtatatt782 Leu Arg Ile Lys Glu 150  - - tgggaaattg atagttgtat aaaacataca acacactatg aaatacaaga cg -#ctatgaca    842   - - aatgtacggg tatctgaatg agttttagta tcgcttaagg gccgcaggcc cg -#ttaaaaat    902   - - aataatcgaa ttataaacgt tagataataa tcagagatag gtgatcagat aa -#tataaaca    962   - - taaacgaagt atatgccggt acaataataa aataagtaat aacaaaaaaa at -#atgtatac   1022   - - taatctctga ttggttcagg agaaaggccc accaactaaa aggtggggag aa -#tgtcccga   1082   - - tgacgta                 - #                  - #- #        1089   - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 9  &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 154  &lt;212&gt; TYPE: PRT  &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)   - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 9   - - Met Asp Trp Ala Glu Ser Gln Phe Lys Thr Cy - #s Thr His Gly CysAsp    1               5 - #                 10 - #                 15  - - Trp Lys Lys Ile Ser Ser Asp Ser Ala Asp As - #n Arg Gln Tyr Val Pro         20     - #             25     - #             30  - - Cys Val Asp Ser Gly Ala Gly Arg Lys Ser Pr - #o Arg Lys Val Leu Leu     35         - #         40         - #         45  - - Arg Ser Ile Glu Ala Val Phe Asn Gly Ser Ph - #e Ser Gly Asn Asn Arg 50             - #     55             - #     60  - - Asn Val Arg Gly Phe Leu Tyr Val Ser Ile Ar - #g Asp Asp Asp Gly Glu  65                 - # 70                 - # 75                 - # 80  - - Met Arg Pro Val Leu Ile Val Pro Phe Gly Gl - #y Tyr Gly Tyr His Asn             85 - #                 90 - #                 95  - - Asp Phe Tyr Tyr Phe Glu Gly Lys Gly Lys Va - #l Glu Cys Asp Ile Ser        100      - #           105      - #           110  - - Ser Asp Tyr Val Ala Pro Gly Ile Asp Trp Se - #r Arg Asp Met Glu Val    115          - #       120          - #       125  - - Ser Ile Ser Asn Ser Asn Asn Cys Asn Glu Le - #u Cys Asp Leu Lys Cys130              - #   135              - #   140  - - Tyr Val Val Cys Ser Leu Arg Ile Lys Glu 145                 1 - #50  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 10 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 69 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 10  - - atgtcccgag ttagtgcgcc acgtaagcgc tggggcttat tattaccccc ag -#cgctcggg     60   - - acgggacat                - #                  - #- #         69  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 11 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 53 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 11  - - tgctgacgta ggcgctgggg cttattatta cccccagcgc cgggacggga ca - #t 53  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 12 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 69 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 12  - - atgtcccgag ttagtgcgcc acgtaagcgc tggggactat tattaccccc ag -#cgctcggg     60   - - acgggacat                - #                  - #- #         69  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 13 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 69 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 13  - - atgtcccgag ttagtgcgcc acgtaagcgc tggggcttat tattaccccc ag -#cgctcggg     60   - - acgggacat                - #                  - #- #         69  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 14 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 69 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 14  - - atgtcccgag ttagtgcgcc acgtaagcgc tggggcttat tattaccccc ag -#cgctcggg     60   - - acgggacat                - #                  - #- #         69  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 15 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 60 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 15  - - atgtcccgat gacgtaagca cgggggacta ttattacccc ccgtgctcgg ga -#cgggacat     60   - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 16  &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 65  &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA  &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)   - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 16   - - cacactatga caaaagtayg ggtatctgat tgggttatct taacgatcta gg -#gccgtagg     60   - - cccgt                 - #                  - #                  -#            65   - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 17  &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 90  &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA  &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)   - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 17   - - gaaatacaac acgctatgaa atacaagacg ctatgacaaa tgtaygggwa tm -#tgattgtg     60   - - tatcttaacg tataagggcc gcaggcccgt         - #                  - #    90  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 18 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 90 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 18  - - aacatacaac acgctatgaa atacaagacg ctatgacaaa agtactggta ta -#tgattagg     60   - - tatcctaacg atctagggcc gaaggcccgt         - #                  - #    90  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 19 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 90 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 19  - - aacatacaac acgctatgaa atacaagacg ctatgacaaa agtactggta ta -#tgattagg     60   - - tatcctaacg atctagggcc gaaggcccgt         - #                  - #    90  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 20 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 92 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 20  - - aacatacaac acactataaa atacaacaca ctataacaaa tgtacgggta tt -#tgattggg     60   - - ctatattaac cccttaaggg ccgaaggccc gt       - #                  - #    92  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 21 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 91 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 21  - - aacatacaac acactatgaa atacaagacg ctatgacaaa tgtacgggta tc -#tgaatgag     60   - - ttttagtatc gcttaagggc cgcaggcccg t        - #                  - #    91  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 22 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 250 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 22  - - acaagtaatg actttacagc gcacgctccg acaaaagcac actatgacaa aa -#gtacgggt     60   - - atctgattgg gttatcttaa cgatctaggg ccgtaggccc gtgagcaatg aa -#cggcgaga    120   - - tcagatgtcc cgagttagtg cgccacgtaa gcgctggggc ttattattac cc -#ccagcgct    180   - - cgggacggga catttgcatc tataaataga cctcccccct ctccattaca ag -#atcatcat    240   - - cgacgacaga                - #                  - # - #       250  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 23 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 869 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 23  - - tatacggaac gtatactaac gtaaaaatta aatgataggc gaagcatgat ta -#acaggtgt     60   - - ttaggtataa ttaacataat tatgagaagt aataataata cggaaaatga at -#aagtatga    120   - - ggtgaaagag gagatattag aatatttaaa aacccaatta tattattttg ga -#acgaaata    180   - - caacacgcta tgaaatacaa gacgctatga caaatgtacg ggaatatgat tg -#tgtatctt    240   - - aacgtataag ggccgcaggc ccgtcaagtt gaatgaacgg tccagattaa tt -#ccttagcg    300   - - acgaagaaag gaatcttaaa ggggaccaca ttaaagacag ctgtcattga tt -#aaataaat    360   - - aatataataa ccaaaagacc tttgtaccct tcctaatgat gacgtatagg gg -#tgtcccga    420   - - tgtaatttaa catagctctg aaaagagata tgggccgttg gatgcctcca tc -#ggacgatg    480   - - gaggttgaat gaacttctgc tgacgtaggc gctggggctt attattaccc cc -#agcgccgg    540   - - gacgggacat gggcttttta aatgggcttt gcgagtttga acagttcagt at -#cttcgtta    600   - - ttgggccaac ccggcccaat aattaagaga acgtgttcaa attcgtggta tg -#accgaagg    660   - - tcaaggtaac cggtcaacat tattctggct tgcgcagcaa gatacacgaa tt -#aatttatt    720   - - aattcgtagg acacgtggac ggaccgaaat actcttgcat ctctataaat ac -#cctaatcc    780   - - tgtcaaggat aattgctctc tctcttctgt caaggtggtt gtgctgaggc gg -#aagatcgc    840   - - cagcggcgat cgtcggaacg acctgcata         - #                  - #   869  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 24 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 547 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 24  - - tatgtttatg taaacataaa ctattgtatg gaatgaaatc caaataacat ac -#aacacgct     60   - - atgaaataca agacgctatg acaaaagtac tggtatatga ttaggtatcc ta -#acgatcta    120   - - gggccgaagg cccgtgagca atatgcgtcg aaataatgtt taacaaacaa at -#atacatga    180   - - tacggatagt tgaatacata aacaacgagg tatacaatac aacaaactgt tg -#taaagaaa    240   - - taaaaaataa gaagagagag tatatttgtg tcggataagc atcacaccca cc -#actttagt    300   - - ggtgggccag atgtcccgag ttagtgcgcc acgtaagcgc tggggactat ta -#ttaccccc    360   - - agcgctcggg acgggacatg ggctaatgga ttgtggatat agggcccaaa gg -#gcccgttt    420   - - agatgggttt tgggctcatg ggctttatcc agaagaccaa aaacaggcgg ga -#accgtccc    480   - - aaattcaaac ttcgattgct tgccctgcaa cgcatctaga agtctataaa ta -#ccagtgtc    540   - - tagatag                 - #                  - #- #         547   - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 25  &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 689  &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA  &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)   - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 25   - - tacacggtat attaatatac gaaatataaa tgggtattga tgtaaatgat ca -#tacataat     60   - - atatgtatga taatgaaaca tattgtaata tgtgaattgt aaacgagagt tg -#tatgtata    120   - - aaacatacaa cacgctatga aatacaagac gctatgacaa aagtactggt at -#atgattag    180   - - gtatcctaac gatctagggc cgaaggcccg tgagcaatat gcgtcgaaat aa -#tgtttaac    240   - - aaacaaatat acatgatacg gatagttgaa tacataaaca acgaggtata ca -#atacaaca    300   - - aactgttgta aagaaataaa aaataagaag agatagtata tttgtgttgg at -#aagccttg    360   - - caaccaccac tttagtggtg ggccagatgt cccgagttag tgcgccacgt aa -#gcgctggg    420   - - gcttattatt acccccagcg ctcgggacgg gacatcacgt gcgtcaacaa at -#gcacgtga    480   - - ctgatataag ggacataacg ggtttagata acggtttatg cggattagaa ta -#taacgtca    540   - - cgtgtgaaag ccgaaaggca cgtgacgaag acaaatggat tgaataaaca tt -#tgacgtcc    600   - - ggtagcttcc gaaggaagta agcttcgcgg cgaagcaaac catttatata tt -#tgcgtagg    660   - - cttgcggcct ataaatagga cgcagctaa         - #                  - #   689  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 26 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 532 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 26  - - tgtaatatcc attatcatca ataaaataat ggaatgttga ttatgtattt at -#cataaata     60   - - cataatggta tacgtatagc ataaaataca ttaaccaaca tacaacacac ta -#taaaatac    120   - - aacacactat aacaaatgta cgggtatttg attgggctat attaacccct ta -#agggccga    180   - - aggcccgttt aaatatgtgt tggacgaagt ccaaacacaa aaaagtaagc ag -#aacaacgg    240   - - aataatatga gctggcaacg tagggtccat gtcccgagtt agtgcgccac gt -#aagcgctg    300   - - gggcttatta ttacccccag cgctcgggac gggacatcac gtgcaactaa ca -#gacgcacg    360   - - tgagaatgca gtagcttgca gcgaaagata gacgtcaaca tcaataaaga ag -#aaggaata    420   - - ttctttgctt cggcacgaag caaagggtat agatatttgt tcgagatgcg aa -#aatggagg    480   - - ctatttaaac ctgatggttt tgtgatttcc gaaatcactc gtcggaagag aa - # 532  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 27 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 624 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 27  - - aagttgtgct gtaatgttaa ttaataaaac gtatatttgg gaaattgata gt -#tgtataaa     60   - - acatacaaca cactatgaaa tacaagacgc tatgacaaat gtacgggtat ct -#gaatgagt    120   - - tttagtatcg cttaagggcc gcaggcccgt taaaaataat aatcgaatta ta -#aacgttag    180   - - ataataatca gagataggtg atcagataat ataaacataa acgaagtata tg -#ccggtaca    240   - - ataataaaat aagtaataac aaaaaaaata tgtatactaa tctctgattg gt -#tcaggaga    300   - - aaggcccacc aactaaaagg tggggagaat gtcccgatga cgtaagcacg gg -#ggactatt    360   - - attacccccc gtgctcggga cgggacatga cgtcagcaag gattataatg gg -#ctttttat    420   - - tagcccattt attgaattgg gccgggtttt gtcattttac aaaagcccgg tc -#caggataa    480   - - gtataatgtc acgtgccgaa ttaaaaggtt gcttcgccac gaagaaacct aa -#tttgaggt    540   - - tgcgtattca atacgctacc gaatatctat taatatgtga gtctctgccg aa -#aaaaatca    600   - - gagcgaaagc ggaaggcaga agcg          - #                  - #   624  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 28 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 982 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 28  - - ataaaacgaa ggcgatgaat agctggagaa cttctttcag tgcttggaca tc -#agaggtgg     60   - - agaatatcat ggcgcagcca tgtcatcgga gaataatttg ggtctatggc cc -#aaatggag    120   - - gagaaggaaa gacaacgtat gcaaaacatc taatgaagac gagaaatgcg tt -#ttattctc    180   - - caggaggaaa atcattggat atatgtagac tgtataatta cgaggatatt gt -#tatatttg    240   - - atattccaag atgcaaagag gattatttaa attatgggtt attagaggaa tt -#taagaatg    300   - - gaataattca aagcgggaaa tatgaacccg ttttgaagat agtagaatat gt -#cgaagtca    360   - - ttgtaatggc taacttcctt ccgaaggaag gaatcttttc tgaagatcga at -#aaagttgg    420   - - tttcttgctg aacaagtaat gactttacag cgcacgctcc gacaaaagca ca -#ctatgaca    480   - - aaagtacggg tatctgattg ggttatctta acgatctagg gccgtaggcc cg -#tgagcaat    540   - - gaacggcgag atcagatgtc ccgagttagt gcgccacgta agcgctgggg ct -#tattatta    600   - - cccccagcgc tcgggacggg acatttgcat ctataaatag acctcccccc tc -#tccattac    660   - - aagatcatca tcgacgacag aatggcgcga tatgtggtat gctggatgtt ca -#ccatcaac    720   - - aatcccacaa cactaccagt gatgagggat gagataaaat atatggtata tc -#aagtggag    780   - - aggggacagg agggtactcg tcatgtgcaa ggttatgtcg agatgaagag ac -#gaagctct    840   - - ctgaagcaga tgagaggctt cttcccaggc gcacaccttg agaaacgaaa gg -#gaagccaa    900   - - gaagaagcgc ggtcatactg tatgaaggaa gatacaagaa tcgaaggtcc ct -#tcgagttt    960   - - ggttcattta aattgtcatg ta           - #                  - #   982  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 29 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 622 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 29  - - agttgtgctg taatgttaat taataaaacg tatatttggg aaattgatag tt -#gtataaaa     60   - - catacaacac actatgaaat acaagacgct atgacaaatg tacgggtatc tg -#aatgagtt    120   - - ttagtatcgc ttaagggccg caggcccgtt aaaaataata atcgaattat aa -#acgttaga    180   - - taataatcag agataggtga tcagataata taaacataaa cgaagtatat gc -#cggtacaa    240   - - taataaaata agtaataaca aaaaaaatat gtatactaat ctctgattgg tt -#caggagaa    300   - - aggcccacca actaaaaggt ggggagaatg tcccgatgac gtaagcacgg gg -#gactatta    360   - - ttaccccccg tgctcgggac gggacatgac gtcagcaagg attataatgg gc -#tttttatt    420   - - agcccattta ttgaattggg ccgggttttg tcattttaca aaagcccggt cc -#aggataag    480   - - tataatgtca cgtgccgaat taaaaggttg cttcgccacg aagaaaccta at -#ttgaggtt    540   - - gcgtattcaa tacgctaccg aatatctatt aatatgtgag tctctgccga aa -#aaaatcag    600   - - agcgaaagcg gaaggcagaa gc           - #                  - #   622  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 30 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 352 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 30  - - gtatactaat ctctgattgg ttcaggagaa aggcccacca actaaaaggt gg -#ggagaatg     60   - - tcccgatgac gtaagcacgg gggactatta ttaccccccg tgctcgggac gg -#gacatgac    120   - - gtcagcaagg attataatgg gctttttatt agcccattta ttgaattggg cc -#gggttttg    180   - - tcattttaca aaagcccggt ccaggataag tataatgtca cgtgccgaat ta -#aaaggttg    240   - - cttcgccacg aagaaaccta atttgaggtt gcgtattcaa tacgctaccg aa -#tatctatt    300   - - aatatgtgag tctctgccga aaaaaatcag agcgaaagcg gaaggcagaa gc - # 352  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 31 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 238 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 31  - - catgacgtca gcaaggatta taatgggctt tttattagcc catttattga at -#tgggccgg     60   - - gttttgtcat tttacaaaag cccggtccag gataagtata atgtcacgtg cc -#gaattaaa    120   - - aggttgcttc gccacgaaga aacctaattt gaggttgcgt attcaatacg ct -#accgaata    180   - - tctattaata tgtgagtctc tgccgaaaaa aatcagagcg aaagcggaag gc -#agaagc      238   - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 32  &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 182  &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA  &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)   - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 32   - - ccgggttttg tcattttaca aaagcccggt ccaggataag tataatgtca cg -#tgccgaat     60   - - taaaaggttg cttcgccacg aagaaaccta atttgaggtt gcgtattcaa ta -#cgctaccg    120   - - aatatctatt aatatgtgag tctctgccga aaaaaatcag agcgaaagcg ga -#aggcagaa    180   - - gc                  - #                  - #                  - #      182  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 33 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 17 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 33  - - gcatccaacg gcccata             - #                  - #- #   17  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 34 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 17 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 34  - - ctccatcgga cgatgga             - #                  - #- #   17  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 35 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 17 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 35  - - tattagtaac agcaaca             - #                  - #- #   17  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 36 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 17 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 36  - - ctaacttcca tgtctct             - #                  - #- #   17  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 37 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 17 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 37  - - cgggwatmtg attgkgt             - #                  - #- #   17  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 38 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 17 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 38  - - tacwtttgtc atagygt             - #                  - #- #   17  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 39 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 30 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 39  - - ggtccccttt aagattcctt tcttcgtcgc         - #                  - #   30  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 40 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 30 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 40  - - cggaaaatga ataagtatga ggtgaaagag         - #                  - #   30  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 41 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 25 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 41  - - gcctgcagag ttgtgctgta atgtt          - #                  - #   25  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 42 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 24 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 42  - - gcggatccgc ttctgccttc cgct          - #                  - #   24  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 43 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 26 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 43  - - gccctgcagc atggacgtca gcaagg          - #                  - #   26  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 44 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 24 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 44  - - gcctgcagac tattgtatgg aatg          - #                  - #   24  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 45 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 23 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 45  - - gcggatccct atctagacac tgg           - #                  - #   23  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 46 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 23 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 46  - - gctctagaat gggtattgat gta           - #                  - #   23  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 47 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 25 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 47  - - gcggatcctt agctgcgtcc tattt          - #                  - #   25  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 48 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 23 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 48  - - gcggatccga cgagtgattt cgg           - #                  - #   23  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 49 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 17 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 49  - - gttatcatgg catcgac             - #                  - #- #   17  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 50 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 17 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 50  - - gaacaagtaa tgacttt             - #                  - #- #   17  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 51 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 30 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 51  - - ggaagaagcc tctcatctgc ttcagagagc         - #                  - #   30  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 52 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 28 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 52  - - ggatcctaca tgacaattta aatgaacc         - #                  - #   28  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 53 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 25 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 53  - - aagcttataa aacgaaggcg atgaa          - #                  - #   25  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 54 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 16 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 54  - - atacaasacr ctatga             - #                  - #    - #    16  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 55 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 9 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 55  - - ctatwwawa                - #                  - #- #          9   - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 56  &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 8  &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA  &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)   - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 56   - - tgacgtaa                - #                  - #- #           8   - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 57  &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 6  &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA  &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)   - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 57   - - tgacgt                 - #                  - #                  -#            6  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 58 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 6 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 58  - - acgtaa                 - #                  - #                  -#            6   - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 59  &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 5  &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA  &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)   - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 59   - - ccacg                 - #                  - #                  -#             5   - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 60  &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 5  &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA  &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)   - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 60   - - cgtgg                 - #                  - #                  -#             5   - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 61  &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 6  &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA  &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)   - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 61   - - cacgtg                 - #                  - #                  -#            6__________________________________________________________________________