Re infectivity of naked viral DNA

[Ulrich Melcher]

aurelia at u.washington.edu (A. M. Lotto) wrote:
>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.

As far as we know this assumption is incorrect.
Certainly, integration of the DNA is not necessary for the caulimovirus
"life" cycle.  The DNA exists as a free minichromosome in the nucleus
of infected cells.  There it serves as template for transcription.

Experiments have, however, not ruled out the possibility that some of
the DNA does integrate.  Yet, many have looked and not found any good
evidence that there is integration.

Thus, the remainder of your questions become irrelevant.  Sorry.

Ulrich Melcher
Biochem & Mol Biol
Oklahoma State Univ