Abstract: The present invention is related to the use of nucleotide sequences substantially similar to the cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:2:) obtainable from the leader sequence (SEQ ID NO:1:) of the Cocksfoot mottle virus (CfMV) which is capable of enhancing protein synthesis and expression of proteins, especially in plants such as cereals. Also disclosed is a method for producing potential enhancer elements by selecting 5′UTRs having a capacity of producing hairpin loop structures and preparing substantially similar nucleic acid sequences. In addition a method for enhancing the expression in plants as well as the properties characteristic for the nucleotide sequence which are responsible for the enhanced expression.

Abstract: This invention discloses transgenic plants, such as transgenic tobacco and potato, having resistance to multiple viral taxonomic groups using parts of the 2,5A oligoadenylate pathway. In particular, said plants are genetically engineered to contain a DNA sequence encoding at least one polypeptide having a 2,5A synthetase activity. By this means a step in the 2,5A oligoadenylate pathway heretofore believed to be missing in all plants is provided so that viral infection in the transgenic plants is inhibited via a 2,5A dependent endonuclease. Moreover, this invention relates to a process for the production of said transgenic plants by transfection with a genetically engineered DNA sequence encoding at least one polypeptide having a 2,5A synthetase activity.