Abstract: The present invention concerns concatemer and/or stabilized RNA constructs capable of forming dsRNA, optionally comprising a sequence capable of protecting the dsRNA against RNA processing in a host cell. The invention also relates to methods of producing these constructs and to methods for using these constructs. The constructs according to the present invention are particularly useful in plant pest control.

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.

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.

Abstract: The present invention concerns concatemer and/or stabilized RNA constructs capable of forming dsRNA, optionally comprising a sequence capable of protecting the dsRNA against RNA processing in a host cell. The invention also relates to methods of producing these constructs and to methods for using these constructs. The constructs according to the present invention are particularly useful in plant pest control.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent that modulates physiological condition of pests, wherein the agent has an ability to modulate the activity of an insect choline acetyltransferase; a method for assaying pesticidal activity of a test substance, which comprises measuring the activity of a choline acetyltransferase in a reaction system in which the choline acetyltransferase contacts with a test substance, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent that modulates physiological condition of pests, wherein the agent has an ability to modulate the activity of an insect choline acetyltransferase; a method for assaying pesticidal activity of a test substance, which comprises measuring the activity of a choline acetyltransferase in a reaction system in which the choline acetyltransferase contacts with a test substance, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent that modulates physiological condition of pests, wherein the agent has an ability to modulate the activity of an insect peptidyl-dipeptidase A; a method for assaying pesticidal activity of a test substance, which comprises a step of measuring the activity of a peptidyl-dipeptidase A in a reaction system in which the peptidyl-dipeptidase A contacts with a test substance, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent that modulates physiological condition of pests, wherein the agent has an ability to modulate the activity of an insect vesicle-fusing ATPase; a method for assaying pesticidal activity of a test substance, which comprises measuring the activity of a vesicle-fusing ATPase in a reaction system in which the vesicle-fusing ATPase contacts with a test substance, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent that modulates physiological condition of pests, wherein the agent has an ability to modulate the activity of an insect choline acetyltransferase; a method for assaying pesticidal activity of a test substance, which comprises measuring the activity of a choline acetyltransferase in a reaction system in which the choline acetyltransferase contacts with a test substance, and the like.

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.

Abstract: The present invention concerns concatemer and/or stabilized RNA constructs capable of forming dsRNA, optionally comprising a sequence capable of protecting the dsRNA against RNA processing in a host cell. The invention also relates to methods of producing these constructs and to methods for using these constructs. The constructs according to the present invention are particularly useful in plant pest control.

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

Abstract: The present invention concerns concatemer and/or stabilized RNA constructs capable of forming dsRNA, optionally comprising a sequence capable of protecting the dsRNA against RNA processing in a host cell. The invention also relates to methods of producing these constructs and to methods for using these constructs. The constructs according to the present invention are particularly useful in plant pest control.

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.

Abstract: Caspases are cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinases, many of which play a central role in apoptosis. This invention relates to the identification of a new murine caspase and its human homologue. The new molecules are most related to human/murine caspase-2 and human caspase-9 and possesses all the typical amino acid residues of the caspases involved in catalysis, including the QACRG box, and contains no or only a very short prodomain. Northern blot analysis revealed that mRNA expression of the new caspase is predominant in skin.

Abstract: Caspases are cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinases, many of which play a central role in apoptosis. This invention relates to the identification of a new murine caspase and its human homologue. The new molecules are most related to human/murine caspase-2 and human caspase-9 and possesses all the typical amino acid residues of the caspases involved in catalysis, including the QACRG box, and contains no or only a very short prodomain. Northern blot analysis revealed that mRNA expression of the new caspase is predominant in skin.