Enhancing expression of a silenced target sequence in plants using plant viral enhancers and amplicons

The invention relates to compositions and methods for modulating expression of DNA sequences in plants. Particularly, methods for enhancing gene expression are provided. Compositions and methods for modulating gene expression in plants are provided. The methods comprise the use of a gene silencer (amplicon) in combination with an enhancer sequence (suppressor of co-suppression). Amplicons comprise a targeting sequence corresponding to the gene of interest, the target gene. The amplicon will direct gene silencing against a sequence with homology to the targeting sequence, (the target sequence). The amplicon may optionally comprise a promoter and a sequence that corresponds to at least a part of a viral genome.