Animals virus in plant cells

[Peter Charles]

On 6 Oct 1995 hourioux at univ-tours.fr wrote:

> I'am a gradued student doing research in virology. I would like to know
> if there are any experimental evidence about the ability for an animal
> virus (except insect) to replicate in plant cells
> 
> thanks
> CH HOURIOUX (univ of TOUR, FRANCE)
> e-mail adress : hourioux at balzac.univ-tours.fr
 
I have some recollection of the report of a plant virus (I believe the
plant was the tomato) that turned out to be a Bunyavirus.  The 
Bunyaviruses are a group of arboviruses that cause, among other things, 
encephalitis in humans.  I'm pretty sure that the plant bunyavirus 
doesn't cause any human disease (if it did I'm sure I would have 
remembered it a bit better than this!!).  But it was (I believe) the 
first example of a plant pathogen belonging to a viral genus comprised of 
animal pathogens.  The virus was spread by thrips (once again, if my 
memory is not playing tricks on me...).

Ill do a lit search and see if I can turn up anymore info.  The initial 
report was about 6 years ago.

Hope this helps...

Peter Charles, PhD
Department of Pathology (Neuropathology)
Albert Einstein College of Medicine