LAUSR

Flammutoxin (FTX), a protein from fruiting bodies of edible mushroom Flammulina velutipes, is a hemolytic pore-forming protein and a transepithelial electrical resistance-decreasing protein. FTX also acts as an antiviral protein to inhibit Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infection of tobacco plants. To clarify its inhibition mechanism for TMV, the following experiments were performed. The gene FTX was introduced into the vector pBinFTX and then transformed into tobacco plants using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The transgenic tobacco plant expressing FTX showed antiviral activities, and the development of TMV in tobacco was retarded after inoculated with TMV. Not only was the appearance of mosaic symptoms postponed, but also systemic symptoms were lessened in transgenic tobacco plants than in wild-type controls. The results indicate that FTX has antiviral activities.