| abstract |
The present invention provides viral replicons comprising RNA encoding i) at least one anti-sense gene; and ii) flanking viral sequence or sequences such that in the absence of a virus or viral components the replicon is non-coding, and in the presence of a virus or viral components the replicon is activated by viral replicase converting the non-coding negative-sense RNA into positive-sense coding RNA, allowing expression of the gene. Also provided are DNA expression cassettes encoding viral replicons according to the present invention, constructs, plant cells and plants transfected and transformed with same. |