Control of gene expression

Abstract

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

1 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A method of repressing, delaying or otherwise reducing the expression of a target gene in a cell, tissue or organ, said method comprising introducing to said cell, tissue or organ one or more dispersed nucleic acid molecules or foreign nucleic acid molecules comprising multiple copies of a nucleotide sequence which is substantially identical to the nucleotide sequence of said target gene or a region thereof or complementary thereto for a time and under conditions sufficient for translation of the mRNA product of said target gene to be modified, subject to the proviso that the transcription of said mRNA product is not exclusively repressed or reduced. 
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 44 , wherein the dispersed nucleic acid molecules or foreign nucleic acid molecules comprise inverted repeats of the target gene sequence or a region thereof or complementary thereto. 
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 44 , wherein the number of copies of the target gene sequence or region thereof or complementary thereto in the dispersed nucleic acid molecule or foreign nucleic acid molecule is two. 
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 44 , wherein the ce tissue or organ is an animal cell, tissue or organ. 
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 44 , wherein the target gene is a gene which is contained within the genome of the cell, tissue or organ. 
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 44 , wherein the target gene is derived from the genome of a pathogen of the cell, tissue or organ or an organism comprising said cell, tissue or organ. 
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein the pathogen is a virus. 
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein the virus is an animal pathogen. 
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 44 , further comprising selecting the dispersed nucleic acid molecule(s) or foreign nucleic acid molecule(s) according to their ability to effectively modulate expression of the target gene. 
     
     
         53 . A method of conferring resistance or immunity to a viral pathogen upon a cell, tissue, organ or whole organism, comprising introducing one or more dispersed nucleic acid molecules or foreign nucleic acid molecules which comprise inverted repeats of a nucleotide sequence derived from the viral pathogen or a complementary sequence thereto for a time and under conditions sufficient for translation of the mRNA product of a virus gene to be delayed or otherwise reduced, subject to the proviso that the transcription of said mRNA product is not exclusively repressed or reduced. 
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein the virus is an animal pathogen. 
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 53 , further comprising selecting the dispersed nucleic acid molecule(s) or foreign nucleic acid molecule(s) according to their ability to confer resistance or immunity on the cell, tissue, organ or organism. 
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein the dispersed nucleic acid molecules or foreign nucleic acid molecules comprise multiple copies of nucleotide sequence encoding a viral replicase, polymerase, coat protein or uncoating gene. 
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein the dispersed nucleic acid molecules or foreign nucleic acid molecules comprise multiple copies of nucleotide sequence encoding a viral polymerase. 
     
     
         58 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein the dispersed nucleic acid molecules or foreign nucleic acid molecules comprise multiple copies of nucleotide sequence encoding a viral coat protein. 
     
     
         59 . A synthetic gene which is capable of repressing, delaying or otherwise reducing the expression of a target gene in a cell, tissue, organ or whole organism, wherein said synthetic gene comprises a dispersed nucleic acid molecule or a foreign nucleic acid molecule comprising multiple copies of a nucleotide sequence which is substantially identical to the nucleotide sequence of said target gene or a derivative thereof or a complementary sequence thereto placed operably under the control of a promoter sequence which is operable in said cell, tissue, organ or whole organism. 
     
     
         60 . The synthetic gene according to  claim 59 , wherein the dispersed nucleic acid molecule or a foreign nucleic acid molecule comprises inverted repeats of a genetic sequence that is endogenous to the genome of the cell, tissue, organ or organism or which is derived from a non-endogenous gene of the cell, tissue, organ or organism. 
     
     
         61 . The synthetic gene according to  claim 60 , wherein the non-endogenous gene is derived from a viral pathogen of the cell, tissue, organ or organism. 
     
     
         62 . The synthetic gene according to  claim 61 , wherein the non-endogenous gene is derived from an animal virus. 
     
     
         63 . A genetic construct comprising the synthetic gene according to  claim 59 .