Stable insertion and expression of the movement protein gene of Grapevine virus A (GVA) in grape (Vitis rupestris S.)

Transformation with the movement protein gene of Grapevine virus A, both in sense and antisense orientation, was done in Vitis rupestris S. somatic embryos through LBA 4404 Agrobacterium timefaciens co-coltures, and plantlets were regenerated. Molecular assays of regenerated plantlets, after 4 years of micropropagation cycles, verified stable insertion and expression of the foreign genes in both orientations. Plants expressing the sense form of the viral gene, exhibited morphological and physiological anomalies, such as slow growth, suppression of buds and flowering and tendril development.