Abstract: A method of synthesizing particles containing nucleic acid sequences is disclosed. This method comprises the steps of introducing a non-endogenous packageable nucleic acid sequence and a sequence encoding a suitable non-endogenous capsid protein into yeast cells and inducing particle assembly, wherein at least one nucleic acid is encapsidated. Preferably, the particle is an infectious virion and the method additionally comprises the step of inducing viral nucleic acid replication before particle assembly. A method of replicating an animal or Nodaviridae virus nucleic acid sequences in yeast is also disclosed.

Abstract: A +strand RNA viral transformation of host organisms with foreign RNA, and expression of said foreign RNA. The foreign RNA is inserted into an infective RNA viral segment containing replication elements, and allowed to infect the host organism. The invention is exemplified utiliing brome mosaic RNA modified to contain a gene coding for chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) in the transformation of barley protoplasts.

Abstract: A recombinant RNA virus is provided allowing encapsidation of genetically engineered viral sequences in heterologous, preferably rod-shaped coat, protein capsids. Since icosahedral viruses are limited in the amount of RNA they can carry, and rod-shaped viruses are expansible, this invention allows the size of recombinant virus RNA components to be increased (or decreased). Methods of making and using such recombinant viruses are also provided, specifically with respect to the transfection of plants to bring about genotypic and phenotypic changes.

Abstract: A subgenomic promoter of a positive strand RNA virus is disclosed which directs the amplified expression of a structural gene in plant tissue. The core region and an upstream activating domain of the subgenomic promoter are identified. This promoter can be utilized in a modified virus, or in an appropriate engineered recombinant DNA derivative which may be chromosomally integrated or maintained as an episome in transformed cells.

Abstract: A subgenomic promoter of a positive strand RNA virus is disclosed which directs the amplified expression of a structural gene in plant tissue. The core region and an upstream activating domain of the subgenomic promoter are identified. This promoter can be utilized in a modified virus, or in an appropriate engineered recombinant DNA derivative which may be chromosomally integrated or maintained as an episome in transformed cells.

Abstract: A recombinant RNA virus is provided allowing encapsidation of genetically engineered viral sequences in heterologous, preferably rod-shaped coat, protein capsids. Since icosahedral viruses are limited in the amount of RNA they can carry, and rod-shaped viruses are expansible, this invention allows the size of recombinant virus RNA components to be increased (or decreased). Methods of making and using such recombinant viruses are also provided, specifically with respect to the transfection of plants to bring about genotypic and phenotypic changes.

Abstract: A recombinant RNA virus is provided allowing encapsidation of genetically engineered viral sequences in heterologous, preferably rod-shaped coat, protein capsids. Since icosahedral viruses are limited in the amount of RNA they can carry, and rod-shaped viruses are expansible, this invention allows the size of recombinant virus RNA components to be increased (or decreased). Methods of making and using such recombinant viruses are also provided, specifically with respect to the transfection of plants to bring about genotypic and phenotypic changes.

Abstract: A + strand RNA viral transformation of host organisms with foreign RNA, and expression of said foreign RNA. The foreign RNA is inserted into an infective RNA viral segment containing replication elements, and allowed to infect the host organism. The invention is exemplified utilizing brome mosaic RNA modified to contain a gene codting for chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) in the transformation of barley protoplasts.

Abstract: A subgenomic promoter of a positive strand RNA virus is disclosed which directs the amplified expression of a structural gene in plant tissue. The core region and an upstream activating domain of the subgenomic promoter are identified. This promoter can be utilized in a modified virus, or in an appropriate engineered recombinant DNA derivative, which may be chromosomally integrated or maintained as an episome in transformed cells.

Abstract: A recombinant DNA vector is provided as a universal transcription vector having a replication origin and selectable marker, a promoter and a transcription initiation site comprising a first transcribed nucleotide, wherein a restriction site is provided immediately adjacent to and upstream from the transcription initiation site so as to seprate transcribed from untranscribed nucleotides. A second restriction site may also be positioned downstream from the said restriction site. Precise control of initiation and termination of transcription is attained by this invention. Such control is important in assuring the effectiveness of transcribed RNA viral vectors.A high fidelity in vitro RNA transcription method is also provided utilizing vectors constructed from the universal transcription vector, or other vectors producing transcripts having no more than one extra 5' base. This method is capable of producing functional RNA transcripts, preferably comprising infectious viral sequences.

Abstract: A recombinant DNA vector is provided as a universal transcription vector having a replication origin and selectable marker, a promoter and a transcription initiation site comprising a first transcribed nucleotide, wherein a restriction site is provided immediately adjacent to and upstream from the transcription initiation site so as to separate transcribed from untranscribed nucleotides. A second restriction site may also be positioned downstream from the said restriction site. Precise control of initiation and termination of transcription is attained by this invention. Such control is important in assuring the effectiveness of transcribed RNA viral vectors.A high fidelity in vitro RNA transcription method is also provided utilizing vectors constructed from the universal transcription vector, or other vectors producing transcripts having no more than one extra 5' base. This method is capable of producing functional RNA transcripts, preferably comprising infectious viral sequences.