An increasing number of molecular strategies are available for engineering virus resistance in potatoes (Solatium tuberosumssp.tuberosumL.) using pathogen-derived or other virus-inhibiting nucleic acid sequences and proteins. Virus resistance has been developed in transgenic plants expressing virus coat proteins, movement proteins, replicases, untranslatable sense or antisense RNAs, proteases, defective interfering RNAs, and satellites. Expression of ribozymes, a double-stranded RNA-specific ribonuclease, antiviral proteins, a plant pathogen resistance gene, and plantibodies has also provided virus resistance. Transgenic plants resistant to several viruses have already been approved by regulatory agencies for commercial release and virus-resistant potato varieties promise to improve yield and quality. Plant protection ranges from being specific against closely related strains of the virus to broad-spectrum resistance that extends to other virus groups. Progress has also been made in combining several strategies to increase the level and number of viruses to which the plant is resistant. Advances in the understanding of virus biology and host-pathogen interactions will continue to produce new and improved disease control strategies.
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