Antifungal activity of a virally encoded gene in transgenic wheat

The cDNA encoding the antifungal protein KP4 from Ustilago maydis-infecting virus was inserted behind the ubiquitin promoter of maize and genetically transferred to wheat varieties particularly susceptible to stinking smut (T illetia tritici) disease. The transgene was integrated and inherited over s everal generations. Of seven transgenic lines, three showed antifungal acti vity against U. maydis. The antifungal activity correlated with the presenc e of the KP4 transgene. KP4-transgenic, soil-grown wheat plants exhibit inc reased endogenous resistance against stinking smut.