Patent ID: 8415147

Claim:
A replication-competent plant gene transfer vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding: a) viral genes from Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-2 (LR-2) comprising a methyltransferase, RNA helicase, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase; b) an RNAi suppressor selected from the group consisting of LR-2 p24 and Beet yellows virus p21; c) LR-2 leader proteases L1 and L2; and d) a heterologous polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter, wherein the heterologous polynucleotide is expressed in a plant cell, and wherein the vector is capable of infectious replication in the plant cell, wherein the L1 protease has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4, and wherein the vector is adapted for virus-induced gene silencing.