Abstract

The cloning, sequencing and PCR-RFLP based variability analysis of the Indian isolates of RTBV showed that the Indian isolates are highly similar to each other but belongs to a separate sub-group compared to those of Southeast Asia. An agroinfectious clone of RTBV was developed which can be further used to investigate the viral gene function and as a VIGS (Virus Induced Gene Silencing) vector for rice functional genomics. The transcription initiation site of RTBV-WB isolate was mapped. A functional dissection of the promoter region of RTBV in transgenic plants was done followed by validation through EMSA. In addition, the silencing phenomenon of the promoter in transgenic plants was studied upon RTBV infection in plants.