Control of gene expression

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a method of modifying gene expression and to synthetic genes for modifying endo gene expression in a cell, tissue or organ of a transgenic organism, in particular a transgenic animal or plant. More particularly, the invention utilises recombinant DNA technology to post-transcriptionally modify or modulate the expression of a target gene in tissue, organ or whole organism, thereby producing novel phenotypes. Novel synthetic genes and genetic constructs which are cap repressing delaying or otherwise reducing the expression of an endogenous gene or a target gene in an organism when introduced are also provided.

1 - 43 . (Cancel).  
     
     
         44 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising: 
 a first ribonucleotide (RNA) sequence wherein said first RNA sequence is about 20-100 nucleotides in length, and wherein said first RNA sequence is at least 80% identical to a sequence complementary to a region of a target gene, and    a second RNA sequence wherein said second RNA sequence is complementary to said first RNA sequence,    wherein said nucleic acid molecule is capable of reducing expression of the target gene in an animal cell when the nucleic acid molecule is introduced into said animal cell.    
     
     
         45 . The nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 44 , wherein said first RNA sequence is at least 90% identical to a sequence complementary to said sequence complementary to said region of said target gene.  
     
     
         46 . The nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 44 , wherein said first RNA sequence is at least 95% identical to a sequence complementary to said sequence complementary to said region of said target gene.  
     
     
         47 . The nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 44 , wherein said first and second RNA sequences consist essentially of ribonucleotides.  
     
     
         48 . The nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 44 , wherein at least one of said first and second RNA sequences is comprised at least partially of ribonucleotide analogues.  
     
     
         49 . The nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 44 , wherein said first RNA sequence is 24 nucleotides in length.  
     
     
         50 . The nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 44 , wherein said first RNA sequence is 23 nucleotides in length.  
     
     
         51 . The nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 44 , wherein said first RNA sequence is 22 nucleotides in length.  
     
     
         52 . The nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 44 , wherein said first RNA sequence is 21 nucleotides in length.  
     
     
         53 . The nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 44 , wherein said first RNA sequence is 20 nucleotides in length.  
     
     
         54 . The nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 44 , wherein said first RNA sequence is 19 nucleotides in length.  
     
     
         55 . The nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 44 , wherein said second RNA sequence is 18 nucleotides in length.  
     
     
         56 . The nucleic acid molecule according to any one of claims  49 - 55 , wherein said first RNA sequence is about the same length as said second RNA sequence.  
     
     
         57 . The nucleic acid molecule according to any one of claims  49 - 55 , wherein said first RNA sequence is the same length as the second RNA sequence.  
     
     
         58 . The nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 44 , wherein the first and second RNA sequences are in the same nucleic acid strand.  
     
     
         59 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 58 , wherein the first and second RNA sequences are separated by a nucleic acid stuffer sequence.  
     
     
         60 . The nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 44 , wherein the first and second RNA sequences are in separate nucleic acid strands.  
     
     
         61 . The nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 44 , wherein the first RNA sequences is identical to said sequence complementary said region of said target gene and exactly complementary to said second RNA sequence.  
     
     
         62 . A method of delaying, repressing, or otherwise reducing the expression of a target gene in an animal cell, comprising introducing the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 44  to the animal cell.  
     
     
         63 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein said first and second RNA sequences consist essentially of ribonucleotides.  
     
     
         64 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein at least one of said first and second RNA sequences is comprised at least partially of ribonucleotide analogues.  
     
     
         65 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein said first RNA sequence is 23 nucleotides in length.  
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein said first RNA sequence is 22 nucleotides in length.  
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein said first RNA sequence is 21 nucleotides in length.  
     
     
         68 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein said first RNA sequence is 20 nucleotides in length.  
     
     
         69 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein said first RNA sequence is 19 nucleotides in length.  
     
     
         70 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein said first RNA sequence is 18 nucleotides in length.  
     
     
         71 . The method according to any one of claims  65 - 70 , wherein said first RNA sequence is about the same length as the second RNA sequence.  
     
     
         72 . The method according to any one of claims  65 - 70 , wherein said first RNA sequence is the same length as the second RNA sequence.  
     
     
         73 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein said first and second RNA sequences are in the same nucleic acid strand.  
     
     
         74 . The method according to  claim 73 , wherein said first and second RNA sequences are separated by a nucleic acid stuffer sequence.  
     
     
         75 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein the first and second RNA sequences are in separate nucleic acid strands.  
     
     
         76 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein the first RNA sequences is identical to said sequence complementary said region of said target gene and exactly complementary to said second RNA sequence.