Isolated dsRNA molecules and methods of using same for silencing target molecules of interest

US10041068B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• A.B. Seeds Ltd. · IL

Inventors

• Amir Avniel · Rishon LeZion, IL
• Efrat Lidor-Nili · Nes Ziona, IL
• Rudy Maor · Rehovot, IL
• Ofir Meir · Norwich, GB
• Orly Noivirt-Brik · Givatayim, IL
• Osnat Yanai-Azulay · Rishon LeZion, IL

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 30, 2013
• Grant date: Aug 7, 2018
• Expiry date: Apr 24, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02A40/146
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An isolated dsRNA molecule comprising an antisense RNA sequence for regulating a target gene of interest in a plant or a phytopathogen of the plant, wherein the dsRNA sequence is flanked by two complementary sites to an smRNA or smRNAs expressed in the plant and wherein the dsRNA molecule further comprises a helicase binding site positioned so as to allow unwinding of the strands of the isolated dsRNA molecule to single stranded RNA (ssRNA) and recruitment of an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase so as to amplify the dsRNA molecule in the plant cell and generate secondary siRNA products of the dsRNA sequence.