DOWN-REGULATING GENE EXPRESSION IN INSECT PESTS

• US 20120322660A1
• Filed: 05/02/2012
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: deVGen NV (China National Chemical Corporation)
• Original Assignee: deVGen NV (China National Chemical Corporation)
• Inventors: Beghyn, Myriam, Bogaert, Thierry Andre Olivier Eddy, Feldmann, Pascale, Raemaekers, Romaan
• Granted Patent: US 9,206,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 504/319
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 57/16 containing heterocyclic radicals
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 63/60 Isolated nucleic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/43563 from insects
• 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 15/8218 Antisense, co-suppression, viral induced gene silencing [VIGS], post-transcriptional induced gene silencing [PTGS]
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/8286 for insect resistance
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/14 interfering N.A.
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/146 Genetically Modified [GMO] plants, e.g. transgenic plants

Abstract

The present invention relates to genetic control of infestation by insect pest species, particularly prevention and/or control of pest infestation of plants, using interfering ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules. Compositions and combinations containing the interfering RNA molecules of the invention for use in topical applications, for example in the form of insecticides.

Claims

1. An interfering ribonucleic acid (RNA) that functions upon uptake by an insect pest species to down-regulate expression of a target gene in said insect pest,

wherein the RNA comprises at least one silencing element wherein the silencing element is a region of double-stranded RNA comprising annealed complementary strands, one strand of which comprises or consists of a sequence of nucleotides which is at least partially complementary to a target nucleotide sequence within the target gene, and wherein the target gene

(i) is selected from the group of genes having a nucleotide sequence comprising any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or having a nucleotide sequence so that, when the two sequences are optimally aligned and compared, is at least 75% identical to any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or

(ii) is selected from the group of genes having a nucleotide sequence comprising a fragment of at least 21 contiguous nucleotides of any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or having a nucleotide sequence so that, when said gene comprising said fragment is optimally aligned and compared with any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, said nucleotide sequence is at least 75% identical to any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or

(iii) is selected from the group of genes having a nucleotide sequence comprising a fragment of at least 21 contiguous nucleotides of any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, and wherein when said fragment is optimally aligned and compared with the corresponding fragment in any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, said nucleotide sequence of said fragment is at least 75% identical to said corresponding fragment of any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or

(iv) is an insect pest orthologue of a gene having a nucleotide sequence comprising any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, wherein the two orthologous genes are similar in sequence to such a degree that when the two genes are optimally aligned and compared, the orthologue has a sequence that is at least 75% identical to any of the sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or

(v) is selected from the group of genes having a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence that, when the two amino acid sequences are optimally aligned and compared, is at least 85% identical to the amino acid sequence encoded by any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389.

2. The interfering RNA of claim 1 wherein the silencing element comprises or consists of a sequence of at least 21 contiguous nucleotides which is complementary or at least partially complementary to a target nucleotide sequence within the target gene.

3. The interfering RNA of claim 1 wherein the RNA comprises at least two silencing elements, wherein each silencing element comprises or consists of a sequence of nucleotides which is at least partially complementary to a target nucleotide sequence within a target gene.

4. The interfering RNA of claim 3 wherein each of the silencing elements comprises or consists of a different sequence of nucleotides which is complementary to a different target nucleotide sequence.

5. The interfering RNA of claim 4 wherein the different target nucleotide sequences originate from a single target gene or from different target genes.

6. The interfering RNA of claim 5 wherein the different target genes originate from the same insect pest species or different insect pest species.

7. The interfering RNA of claim 1 wherein the insect pest species is a plant pest.

8. The interfering RNA of claim 2 or claim 7 wherein the plant pest is an insect pest species selected from the insect species belonging to the orders Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Dichyoptera, Orthoptera, and Siphonaptera.

9. The interfering RNA of claim 8 wherein the insect plant pest is selected from the group consisting of Leptinotarsa spp. (e.g. L. decemlineata (Colorado potato beetle), L. juncta (false potato beetle), or L. texana (Texan false potato beetle));

Nilaparvata spp. (e.g. N. lugens (brown planthopper));

Lygus spp. (e.g. L. lineolaris (tarnished plant bug) or L. hesperus (western tarnished plant bug));

Myzus spp. (e.g. M. persicae (green peach aphid));

Diabrotica spp. (e.g. D. virgifera virgifera (western corn rootworm), D. barberi (northern corn rootworm), D. undecimpunctata howardi (southern corn rootworm), D. virgifera zeae (Mexican corn rootworm).

10. The interfering RNA of claim 2 wherein the target gene encodes an insect protein chosen from the group comprising (i) a protein from the troponin/myofilament complex chosen from the group comprising the troponin I (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG7178 Dm protein), the upheld protein (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG7107 Dm protein), the tropomyosin 1 protein (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG4898 Dm protein), the tropomyosin 2 protein (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG4843 Dm protein), the myosin heavy chain (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG17927 Dm protein), the myosin light chain cytoplasmic protein (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG3201 Dm protein), the spaghetti squash protein (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG3595 Dm protein), the zipper protein (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG15792 Dm protein), the troponin C (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG2981, CG7930, CG9073, CG6514, CG12408, CG9073, CG7930, CG2981, CG12408 or CG6514 Dm protein);

(ii) an insect ribosomal protein chosen from the group comprising the ribosomal protein S3A (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG2168 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein LP1 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG4087 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein S3 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG6779 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein L10Ab (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG7283 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein S18 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG8900 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein L4 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG5502 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein S27 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG10423 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein L6 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG11522 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein S13 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG13389 Dm protein), and the ribosomal protein L12 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG3195 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein L26 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG6846 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein L21 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG12775 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein S12 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG11271 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein S28b (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG2998 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein L13 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG4651 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein L10 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG17521 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein L5 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG17489 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein S15Aa (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG2033 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein L19 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG2746 Dm protein), the ribosomal protein L27 (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG4759 Dm protein);

(iii) the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit II protein (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG34069 Dm protein);

(iv) the ATP synthase-γ

chain (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG7610 Dm protein);

(v) the ubiquitin-5E (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG32744 Dm protein);

(vi) the proteasome beta-type subunit (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG17331 Dm protein), (vii) the protein which is an insect orthologue of the CG13704 Dm protein; and

(viii) the Rpn12 protein (e.g. an insect orthologue of the CG4157 Dm protein).

11. The interfering RNA of claim 1 wherein down-regulating expression of the target gene causes decreased growth, development, reproduction, or survival of the pest as compared with pest species exposed to an interfering ribonucleic acid targeting a non-essential gene or an interfering ribonucleic acid that does not down-regulate any genes within the pest species.

12. A polynucleotide comprising a sequence of nucleotides encoding the interfering RNA of claim 1.

13. The polynucleotide of claim 12 which is comprised in a DNA construct.

14. The DNA construct of claim 13 which is an expression construct, wherein the polynucleotide sequence encoding the interfering RNA is operably linked to at least one regulatory sequence capable of driving expression of the polynucleotide sequence.

15. A host cell comprising an interfering RNA of claim 1 or claim 2.

16. The host cell of claim 15 wherein the host cell is a prokaryotic or a eukaryotic cell.

17. The host cell of claim 16 wherein the host cell is a bacterial cell.

45. A kit comprising the interfering ribonucleic acid (RNA) of claim 1, the DNA construct of claim 13, or the composition of claim 18 for preventing and/or controlling insect pest infestation.

18. A composition for preventing and/or controlling insect pest infestation comprising at least one interfering ribonucleic acid (RNA) and at least one suitable carrier, excipient or diluent, wherein the interfering RNA functions upon uptake by the pest to down-regulate the expression of a target gene within said pest,

wherein the RNA comprises at least one silencing element wherein the silencing element is a region of double-stranded RNA comprising annealed complementary strands, one strand of which comprises or consists of a sequence of nucleotides which is at least partially complementary to a target nucleotide sequence within the target gene, and

wherein the target gene

(i) is selected from the group of genes having a nucleotide sequence comprising any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or having a nucleotide sequence so that, when the two sequences are optimally aligned and compared, is at least 75% identical to any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or

(ii) is selected from the group of genes having a nucleotide sequence comprising a fragment of at least 21 contiguous nucleotides of any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or having a nucleotide sequence so that, when said gene comprising said fragment is optimally aligned and compared with any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, said nucleotide sequence is at least 75% identical to any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or

(iii) is selected from the group of genes having a nucleotide sequence comprising a fragment of at least 21 contiguous nucleotides of any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, and wherein when said fragment is optimally aligned and compared with the corresponding fragment in any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, said nucleotide sequence of said fragment is at least 75% identical to said corresponding fragment of any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or

(iv) is an insect pest orthologue of a gene having a nucleotide sequence comprising any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, wherein the two orthologous genes are similar in sequence to such a degree that when the two genes are optimally aligned and compared, the orthologue has a sequence that is at least 75% identical to any of the sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or

(v) is selected from the group of genes having a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence that, when the two amino acid sequences are optimally aligned and compared, is at least 85% identical to the amino acid sequence encoded by any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389.

19. The composition of claim 18 wherein the silencing element comprises or consists of a sequence of at least 21 contiguous nucleotides which is complementary or at least partially complementary to a target nucleotide sequence within the target gene.

20. The composition of claim 18 wherein the interfering RNA is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a sequence of nucleotides encoding the interfering RNA which is comprised in a DNA construct, which optionally is an expression construct wherein the polynucleotide sequence encoding the interfering RNA is operably linked to at least one regulatory sequence capable of driving expression of the polynucleotide sequence.

21. The composition of claim 18 comprising a host cell expressing or capable of expressing the interfering RNA.

22. The composition of claim 21 wherein the host cell is a bacterial cell.

23. The composition of claim 18 wherein the composition is in a form suitable for ingestion by an insect.

24. The composition of claim 18 wherein the composition is in solid, liquid or gel form.

25. The composition of claim 18 wherein the composition is formulated as an insecticidal spray.

26. The composition of claim 25 wherein the spray is a pressurized/aerosolized spray or a pump spray.

27. The composition of claim 18 wherein the composition further comprises at least one pesticidal agent selected from the group consisting of a chemical insecticide, a patatin, a Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal protein, a Xenorhabdus insecticidal protein, a Photorhabdus insecticidal protein, a Bacillus laterosporus insecticidal protein, and a Bacillus sphaericus insecticidal protein.

28. The composition of claim 27 wherein said Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal protein is selected from the group consisting of a Cry1, a Cry3, a TIC851, a CryET170, a Cry22, a TIC901, a TIC201, a TIC407, a TIC417, a binary insecticidal protein CryET80 and CryET76, a binary insecticidal protein TIC100 and TIC101, a combination of an insecticidal protein ET29 or ET37 with an insecticidal protein TIC810 or TIC812, and a binary insecticidal protein PS149B1.

29. A housing or trap for an insect pest which contains a composition as defined in claim 18.

32. A combination for preventing and/or controlling pest infestation comprising the composition of claim 18 and at least one other active agent.

33. The combination of claim 32 wherein the combination is for preventing and/or controlling pest infestation of a plant and the other active agent is an agronomical agent.

34. The combination of claim 33 wherein the agronomical agent comprises a herbicide.

35. The combination of claim 34 wherein the herbicide is selected from a glyphosate-insensitive version of a 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), a catabolic enzyme that is able to break down dicamba such as dicamba monoxygenase or a phosphinothricin acetyl transferase gene that is able to catabolize glufosinate-ammonium.

36. The combination of claim 33 wherein the agononical agent comprises a second pesticide.

37. The combination of claim 36 wherein the second pesticide is selected from the group consisting of a chemical insecticide, a patatin, a Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal protein, a Xenorhabdus insecticidal protein, a Photorhabdus insecticidal protein, a Bacillus laterosporus insecticidal protein, and a Bacillus sphaericus insecticidal protein.

38. The combination of claim 37 wherein said Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal protein is selected from the group consisting of a Cry1, a Cry3, a TIC851, a CryET170, a Cry22, a TIC901, a TIC201, a TIC407, a TIC417, a binary insecticidal protein CryET80 and CryET76, a binary insecticidal protein TIC100 and TIC101, a combination of an insecticidal protein ET29 or ET37 with an insecticidal protein TIC810 or TIC812, and a binary insecticidal protein PS149B1.

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

39. A method for down-regulating expression of a target gene in an insect pest species in order to prevent and/or control pest infestation, comprising contacting said pest species with an effective amount of at least one interfering ribonucleic acid (RNA), wherein the interfering RNA functions upon uptake by the pest to down-regulate the expression of a target gene within said pest,

wherein the RNA comprises at least one silencing element wherein the silencing element is a region of double-stranded RNA comprising annealed complementary strands, one strand of which comprises or consists of a sequence of nucleotides which is at least partially complementary to a target nucleotide sequence within the target gene,

and wherein the target gene

(i) is selected from the group of genes having a nucleotide sequence comprising any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or having a nucleotide sequence so that, when the two sequences are optimally aligned and compared, is at least 75% identical to any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or

(ii) is selected from the group of genes having a nucleotide sequence comprising a fragment of at least 21 contiguous nucleotides of any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or having a nucleotide sequence so that, when said gene comprising said fragment is optimally aligned and compared with any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, said nucleotide sequence is at least 75% identical to any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or

(iii) is selected from the group of genes having a nucleotide sequence comprising a fragment of at least 21 contiguous nucleotides of any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, and wherein when said fragment is optimally aligned and compared with the corresponding fragment in any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, said nucleotide sequence of said fragment is at least 75% identical to said corresponding fragment of any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or

(iv) is an insect pest orthologue of a gene having a nucleotide sequence comprising any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, wherein the two orthologous genes are similar in sequence to such a degree that when the two genes are optimally aligned and compared, the orthologue has a sequence that is at least 75% identical to any of the sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or

(v) is selected from the group of genes having a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence that, when the two amino acid sequences are optimally aligned and compared, is at least 85% identical to the amino acid sequence encoded by any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein down-regulation of expression of a target gene in an insect pest species is used to obtain at least 20% pest control or at least 20% pest mortality as compared to control insect pests contacted with an interfering ribonucleic acid (RNA) targeting a non-essential pest gene or a target gene not expressed in said pest.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein the method is used to prevent and/or control pest infestation of a plant.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the plant is chosen from the group comprising cotton, potato, rice, canola, sunflower, sorghum, pearl millet, corn, strawberries, soy, alfalfa, tomato, eggplant, pepper and tobacco.

40. (canceled)

44. (canceled)

46. An isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:

(i) a polynucleotide which comprises at least 21 contiguous nucleotides of a nucleotide sequence as represented by any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or

(ii) a polynucleotide which comprises at least 21 contiguous nucleotides of a nucleotide sequence as represented in any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, so that, when the two sequences are optimally aligned and compared, said polynucleotide is at least 75% identical to any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, or

(iii) a polynucleotide which comprises a fragment of at least 21 contiguous nucleotides of a nucleotide sequence as represented in any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, or the complement thereof, and wherein said fragment or said complement has a nucleotide sequence that, when said fragment is optimally aligned and compared with the corresponding fragment in any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, said nucleotide sequence is at least 75% identical to said corresponding fragment of any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389 or the complement thereof, or

(iv) a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence that, when the two amino acid sequences are optimally aligned and compared, is at least 85% identical to the amino acid sequence encoded by any of SEQ ID NOs 1, 174, 404, 180, 188, 2, 175, 181, 189, 27 to 30, 282 to 285, 294 to 297, 310 to 313, 3, 4, 31 to 34, 139, 5, 6, 35 to 38, 140, 7, 8, 39 to 42, 9, 10, 43 to 46, 141, 11, 12, 47 to 50, 13, 14, 51 to 54, 15, 204, 16, 205, 55 to 58, 322 to 325, 17, 18, 59 to 62, 19, 20, 63 to 66, 21, 22, 67 to 70, 23, 24, 71 to 74, 25, 26, 75 to 78, 143, 121, 142, 176, 182, 130, 177, 183, 206 to 209, 286 to 289, 298 to 301, 145, 122, 144, 178, 131, 179, 210 to 213, 290 to 293, 123, 132, 214 to 217, 124, 133, 218 to 221, 146, 125, 134, 222 to 225, 147, 126, 135, 226 to 229, 127, 148, 136, 230 to 233, 128, 149, 184, 137, 185, 234 to 237, 302 to 305, 129, 138, 238 to 241, 150, 151, 242 to 245, 152, 153, 246 to 249, 154, 155, 250 to 253, 156, 157, 254 to 257, 158, 159, 258 to 261, 160, 161, 262 to 265, 163, 162, 164, 266 to 269, 165, 167, 166, 270 to 273, 168, 170, 169, 274 to 277, 172, 173, 278 to 281, 200, 201, 314 to 317, 186, 202, 187, 203, 306 to 309, 318 to 321, 386, 387, 388, 389, and wherein said polynucleotide is no longer than 10000 nucleotides.

47-49. -49. (canceled)