ABSTRACT The coat protein (CP) gene of rice stripe virus
was introduced into two japonica varieties of rice by electroporation
of protoplasts. The resultant transgenic plants expressed
the CP at hih levels (up to 0.5% of total soluble
protein) and exhibited a sinifcant level of resistance to virus
infection. Plants derived from seLfed progeny of the primary
transformants also expressed the CP and showed viral resistance,
idicating stable transmission of the CP gene and the
trait of resistance to the next generation. Moreover, the virally
encoded stripe disease-specific protein was not d d in
trbnsgenic plants expressing CP 8 weeks after oculation,
indicating protection before viral multiplication. These studies
demonstrated that CP-mediated resistance to virus infection
can be extended to cereals and to the viruses transmitted by an
insect vector (planthopper).