The efficacy of antisense-based construct for inducing resistance against Croton yellow vein mosaic virus in Nicotiana tabacum

Begomoviruses have increased pathogenicity because of their adaptation to a wide host range; consequently, these viruses cause a major loss to agroeconomic crops worldwide. In this study, we designed a gene construct representing an antisense coat protein gene. We also analyzed the efficacy of the induced resistance against Croton yellow vein mosaic virus (CrYVMV) affecting papaya in Nicotiana tabacum plants. Positive control plants developed typical leaf curl symptoms, whereas transgenic plants were symptomless. Moreover, the key component (i.e., short interfering RNA) of the antisense pathway was upregulated in transgenic plants. This finding demonstrates the activation of the gene silencing mechanism in transgenic plants. Thus, these results confirm that our construct is functional and effectively induces transient resistance against CrYVMV infections.