Real-time quantitative PCR analysis of antiviral RNA silencing components in transgenic sugar beets under Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus infection

This study investigates the transcriptional response of RNA silencing and defense‑related genes in transgenic sugar beet plants engineered for resistance to Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV). Third‑generation homozygous plants from two transgenic events (S3 and S6) expressing BNYVV 5′UTR‑derived transcripts were compared with their non‑transgenic parental line (cultivar 9597). Plants were grown under controlled conditions and challenged with BNYVV‑infested soil or maintained in healthy soil. Quantitative real‑time PCR (qRT‑PCR) was used to evaluate expression of genes involved in RNA silencing and defense pathways, including AGO1, AGO5, PRP, Mald1, and SUVR2.