African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 2 (6), pp. 136–139, June 2003

ISSN 1684-5315  © 2003 Academic Journals

MINIREVIEW

Plant retroviruses: structure, evolution and future applications

Essam A. Zaki* 

Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Research Institute, GEBRI, Research Area, Borg El Arab, Post Code 21934, Alexandria, Egypt.

*Current Address; Department of Biological Sciences, 1392 Lilly Hall of Life Sciences, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1392, Phone: (765) 494-9837 Fax: (765) 496-1496, E-mail: ezaki@purdue.edu

Accepted 20 May 2003

Retroelements, which replicate by reverse transcription, have been detected in higher plants, higher animals, fungi, insects and bacteria. They have been classified into viral retroelements, eukaryotic chromosomal non-viral retroelements and bacterial chromosomal retroelements. Until recently, retroviruses were thought to be restricted to vertebrates.  Plant sequencing projects revealed that plant genomes contain retroviral-like sequences. This review aims to address the structure and evolution of plant retroviruses. In addition, it proposes future applications for these important key components of plant genomes.       

Key words: Interspecies gene flow, plant genes vectors, plant retroviruses, retroelements, sequence divergence, transgenic plants.