As a result, the increased transcripts of C4H in 33504-Borg2 and/or CMV treatment indicate its role in defending against viral infections, suggesting that 33504-Borg2 could serve as a biocontrol agent to combat CMV infections by activating the biosynthesis of polyphenolic secondary metabolites in plant tissues (Yan et al., 2019). Here, CDC42EP3 is linked to cytomegalovirus infection.