Method for down-regulating gene expression in fungi

Abstract

The present invention concerns methods for controlling fungus infestation via dsRNA mediated gene silencing, whereby the intact fungus cell(s) are contacted with a double-stranded RNA from outside the fungal cell(s) and whereby the double-stranded RNA is taken up by the intact fungal cell(s). In one particular embodiment, the methods of the invention are used to alleviate plants from fungus pests. Alternatively, the methods are used for treating and/or preventing fungal infestation on a substrate or a subject in need of such treatment and/or prevention. Suitable fungal target genes and fragments thereof, dsRNA constructs, recombinant constructs and compositions are disclosed.

1 . A method for controlling fungal growth on a cell or an organism or for preventing fungal infestation of a cell or an organism susceptible to fungal infection, comprising contacting fungal cells with a double-stranded RNA from outside the fungal cell(s), wherein the double-stranded RNA comprises annealed complementary strands, one of which has a nucleotide sequence which is complementary to at least part of the nucleotide sequence of a fungal target gene, whereby the double-stranded RNA is taken up into the fungal cells and thereby controls growth or prevents infestation.