High expression of foreign proteins from a biosafe viral vector derived from Turnip mosaic virus

A vector derived from an original infectious clone of Turnip mosaic potyvirus (TuMV) has been developed. The vector (p35Tunos-vec01) was made through the creation of a new unique insertion site for foreign genes between the NIb and the CP genes of the viral genome. The jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP) and E. coli beta-glucuronidase (GUS) were expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana plants infected with chimeric vectors carrying their corresponding genes. In the case of GUS, expression levels that were 15-50 fold higher than nuclear transgenic A. thaliana lines carrying the same gene were attained. Acceptable levels of gene stability were found in the infected plants, compatible with the use of the vector for protein production in plants. A non-aphid transmissible version of the vector was also made and its lack of aphid transmission was extensively shown. The vector was not transmitted through seeds or by contact between plants.