METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATING INSECTS

• US 20120316220A1
• Filed: 02/02/2012
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
• Inventors: Ward, Donna T., Rhodes, Jason
• Application Number:
  US13/364,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20120316220A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 514/44.A
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 67/0333 Genetically modified invertebrates, e.g. transgenic, polyploid
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/002 containing a foodstuff as carrier or diluent, i.e. baits
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 57/16 containing heterocyclic radicals
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 48/00 Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/00 Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 Antibacterial agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/10 Antimycotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/12 Antivirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 33/00 Antiparasitic agents
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/113 Non-coding nucleic acids modulating the expression of genes, e.g. antisense oligonucleotides; Antisense DNA or RNA; Triplex- forming oligonucleotides; Catalytic nucleic acids, e.g. ribozymes; Nucleic acids used in co-suppression or gene silencing when used in plants C12N15/8218
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/1131 against viruses
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/85 for animal cells
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/86 Viral vectors
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/14 interfering N.A.
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2320/00 Applications; Uses
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2320/30 Special therapeutic applications
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2320/32 Special delivery means, e.g. tissue-specific
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2710/14043 viral genome or elements thereof as genetic vectore

Abstract

Provided herein are methods and compositions for modulating gene expression in insects by administering a composition comprising an RNA effector molecule and a delivery agent. Methods are provided for controlling pest populations by inhibiting insect growth, development, survival, reproduction and/or viability. Also provided herein are methods for treating or preventing disease in an insect caused by a pathogen or by external factors (e.g., pollution, environment, stress, weather, etc.).

Claims

1. A method for treating or preventing disease in an insect, the method comprising administering to the insect a composition comprising an RNA effector molecule or a vector encoding an RNA effector molecule, and a delivery agent, wherein the RNA effector molecule modulates gene expression of an insect or an insect pathogen.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the disease is caused by an insect pathogen selected from the group consisting of a virus, mite, nematode, bacteria, fungus, or parasite.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the disease is caused by pollution, exposure to electromagnetic radiation, exposure to pesticides, environment, or stress.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the RNA effector molecule inhibits or activates gene expression.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein modulating gene expression inhibits pathogen infectivity, virulence, reproduction, viability, growth, translation, protein production, viral uptake or transmission.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein modulating gene expression decreases insect susceptibility to a pathogen.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said administering comprises providing a food source for the insect, wherein the food source comprises the composition.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the food source comprises a virus, a bacterium, a fungus, a plant, or a yeast cell expressing the RNA effector molecule.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said administering comprises contacting the insect with a solution comprising the composition.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the composition is administered topically.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the RNA effector molecule comprises an oligonucleotide.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the oligonucleotide is a single stranded or double stranded oligonucleotide.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the oligonucleotide comprises an siRNA, an miRNA, an shRNA, a ribozyme, an antisense RNA, a decoy oligonucleotide, an antimir, a supermir, or an RNA activator.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the vector is a viral vector, an expression vector, or a plasmid.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the viral vector comprises a baculoviral vector.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the insect is a bee, wasp, butterfly, ant or ladybug.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is administered to adult insects.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is administered to a breeding or feeding locus.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the insect is a hive bee or a forager bee, and the pathogen is selected from the group consisting of IAPV, Acute Bee Paralysis Virus and Kashmir Bee Paralysis Virus.

20. A method for modulating gene expression in an insect, the method comprising:

administering to the insect a composition comprising an RNA effector molecule or a vector encoding an RNA effector molecule and a delivery agent, wherein the RNA effector molecule modulates gene expression in the insect.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein modulation of gene expression inhibits viability, survival, growth, development, and/or reproduction of the insect.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the insect is a pest.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein modulation of gene expression increases insect susceptibility to a pathogen.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the insect is a hive-dwelling insect and modulation of gene expression in the insect is delayed until the insect returns to the hive.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the composition is specific to the pest and does not affect other insects.

26. A composition comprising an RNA effector molecule or a vector encoding an RNA effector molecule, and a delivery agent, wherein the RNA effector molecule modulates gene expression of an insect or an insect pathogen.