Question

WHAT IF? Suppose plants were genetically modified to be unresponsive to viral movement proteins. Would this be an excellent way to prevent the spread of infection? Explain.

Short answer

The genetically engineered plant for viral protein unresponsiveness technology would inhibit viral infections from propagating throughout the organism, but it would be damaging to plant development.

Step-by-step solution

Genetically modified organism (GMO)

GMOs are genetically modified organisms in which DNA from the target organism has been added in the laboratory. These are also referred to as transgenic organisms. GMOs are developed in laboratories utilizing scientific techniques such as recombinant DNA technology and reproductive cloning.

Role of viral proteins movement

Plant viruses create viral movement proteins, which induce the plasmodesmata to dilate, allowing the viral RNA to travel between cells. Recent data suggest that plant cells control plasmodesmata as a component of a communication system.

Viruses can disrupt this connection by imitating the cell's plasmodesmata regulators.

Genetically modified plants to be unresponsive to viral movement proteins

If the plants are genetically modified for unresponsiveness to viral proteins, it prevents viral infection. But it also affects the development process because only particular sets of cells and tissues, referred to as symplastic domains, have a high degree of cytosolic interconnectivity.

Genetically modified plants against the viral protein are not an excellent approach

Genetically modified plants against the viral protein are not the best method to protect the plants from viruses because proteins and RNAs are also the informational molecules that regulate cell development within each symplastic domain. It will inhibit the RNA and protein along with viral protein.

So, plant development can be severely hampered if symplastic communication is disturbed.