| abstract |
Described is a synthetic gene comprising a dispersed or foreign deoxyribonucleotide molecule comprising at least two copies of a structural gene sequence, wherein the first copy of the structural gene sequence is at least 80% identical to the nucleotide sequence of the target gene region, and the second copy of the structural gene sequence is at least 80% identical with a nucleotide sequence complementary to the target gene region and wherein the synthetic gene is capable of post-transcriptional repression, delay or other reduction of expression of the target gene when expressed in the host cell by a sequence-specific degradation of RNA transcription of the target gene by an endogenous host cell system. These synthetic genes and gene constructs are capable of suppressing, delaying or otherwise reducing the expression of the endogenous gene or target gene in the organism into which they are introduced. Also described is a gene construct comprising said synthetic gene and a composition comprising said synthetic gene. |