Re infectivity of naked viral DNA

[A. M. Lotto]

I was reading that caulimo viruses might be used to introduce desireable 
genes into plants.  They are also said to be structurally and 
functionally very similar to HBV.  I would assume then that caulimo 
viruses like HBV form integrates with the host genome on occasion.
A couple of questions have occured to me.  First of all, is the mechanism 
for the formation of this integrate known yet?  Second, the result of HBV 
integration into the host human genes is hepatocellular cancer(or so it 
is believed by the authors of this book, possibly in conjunction with a 
carcinogenic co-factor), what is the result in plants?  
HBV persist long and hard in humans, so is this integration a form of 
latentcy?  Can the virus be 'cured' later from the genome?   

If caulimovirus DNA is infectious on its own, does this also hold true 
for HBV?  It is my understand there is a circular RNA (hepatitis 
delta agent) associated with HBV that is compared with a 
viroid.  Do caulimo viruses also contain this circular RNA?

I would be interested in any info anyone might provide. 


Amy Lotto
aurelia at u.washington.edu