WO2023057601A1

WO2023057601A1 - Anti-fungal polypeptides

Info

Publication number: WO2023057601A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/077873
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hilde Adi Pierrette Revets
Original assignee: Biotalys NV
Priority date: 2021-10-06
Filing date: 2022-10-06
Publication date: 2023-04-13

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% sequence identify thereto and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus. The invention further relates to a composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises a CDR1 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4 and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus. The compositions may be used as anti-fungal compositions.

Description

ANTI-FUNGAL POLYPEPTIDES

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus, and to the said at least one polypeptide itself. The invention also relates to use of the composition as an anti-fungal agent. The invention further relates to a method for protecting or treating a plant or a part of said plant from an infection with a plant pathogenic fungus, a post-harvest treatment method for protecting or treating a harvested plant or a harvested part of said plant from an infection with a plant pathogenic fungus and a method of inhibiting the growth of, or killing, a plant pathogenic fungus, comprising at least the step of applying directly or indirectly to a plant or to a part of said plant the composition or the polypeptide. Also, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of an anti-fungal polypeptide and to a method for the preparation of an anti-fungal composition. In addition, the invention relates to a transgenic plant, plant part, seed, or plant cell.

The presence and persistence of pathogenic fungal infections seen in patients and animals but also in plant crops can be mainly attributed to the selective pressure of broad-spectrum anti-fungals and the general lack of efficacy of anti- fungal agents, which are available at present.

In humans and animals, systemic fungal infections such as invasive candidiasis and invasive aspergillosis may be caused by a variety of fungal pathogens, for example the virulent Candida species C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. krusei and the less virulent species C. parapsilosis and Torulopsis glabrata (the latter sometimes referred to as Candida glabrata). Although C. albicans was once the most common fungal isolate obtained from intensive care units, later studies have indicated that C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis and C. krusei now account for about half of such isolates. The rise of nonalbicans species implies the emergence of Candida species resistant to conventional antifungal therapy.

Traditionally, C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis have been treated by the antifungal agent amphotericin B, regarded as the "gold standard" of systemic antifungal therapy. Unfortunately, amphotericin B is itself highly toxic and its use is tempered by side effects including chills, fever, myalgia or thrombophlebitis. Other anti-fungal agents include the oral azole drugs (miconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole) and 5-fluorocytosine. However, fungal species such as C. krusei and T. glabrata are resistant to fluconazole, and these species often occur in patients where this drug has been administered prophylactically. Furthermore, fluconazole-resistant strains of C. albicans have also been reported. Thus, despite the advances made in therapeutic anti-fungal drugs, the need for effective agents for treatment of fungal infections remains acute.

In agriculture, crop protection relies heavily on the use of pesticides, which are applied to the crops by spraying them onto the crop, applying during watering of the crops or incorporating them into the soil. Pesticides are often organic chemical molecules and their repeated application to crops poses toxicity threats to both agricultural workers during handling and to the environment, due to spray drift, persistence in the soil or washing off into surface or ground water. It would be advantageous to be able to use alternative compounds that are less toxic to humans and the environment, but that at the same time provide effective control of plant pests. Proteinaceous pesticides with specificity against a certain plant pest target may be very advantageous in this respect, as they are expected to be short-lived in the environment and to have less toxic off-target effects. However, there are only a few proteinaceous or peptidergic pesticides known. Some examples are Bt toxins, lectins, defensins, fabatins, tachyplesin, magainin, harpin (see WO2010019442), pea albumin 1 -subunit b (PA1 b). However, these proteinaceous pesticides are either small peptides with compact structures, stabilized by several disulphide bridges, or are larger proteins (>300 amino acids) which occur in crystalline form (cry toxins). It is indeed known in the field of agriculture that biologicals, and in particular proteins , are challenging structures for developing pesticides, as they generally have far too little stability to maintain their pesticidal function in an agrochemical formulation, in particular for applications in the field.

Summary of the invention

The present inventors have successfully developed polypeptides with surprisingly high specificity, affinity and potency against targets of pests, in particular plant, animal or human pathogenic pests, such as but not limited to plant, animal or human pathogenic fungi. The polypeptide may bind a specific lipid fraction of the cell membrane of a fungal spore. The mere binding of the polypeptide may be sufficient for the fungicidal activity through retardation of growth and/or lysis and explosion of spores, thus preventing mycelium formation. The polypeptide may therefore have fungicidal or fungistatic activity.

Moreover, these polypeptides retain their integrity, stability and activity in a composition and that efficacious pest or pathogenic control can surprisingly be achieved by applying compositions, comprising the polypeptides as disclosed in the present application, to crops, animals or humans.

The efficacy and potency of the polypeptides as disclosed herein suggests a potential for either a lower treatment dosage and/or a more effective treatment at the same dose. This can imply a reduction of unwanted side-effects and reduced toxicity in both agrochemical and medical applications. Moreover, this allows the application of lower amounts or dosages of the polypeptides or compositions disclosed herein.

More particularly, the present inventors have found that targeting a molecular structure of a pest or pathogen with the polypeptides envisaged herein allows for efficient control of that pathogen.

In particular, the present inventors have developed polypeptides that are capable of preventing, protecting, treating or curing a plant, animal or human from (developing) an infection by a pathogen or from any other biological interaction with a pathogen, in particular a fungal pathogen. Therefore, the present invention demonstrates that biological molecules, such as polypeptides or amino acid sequences, can be used to effectively protect or treat a plant, animal or human from being damaged in any way by or from suffering from a biological interaction between the plant, animal or human and a pathogen, such as for instance through infection by a pathogen.

The polypeptides and compositions of the present invention can be used as stand-alone products, e.g. stand-alone compositions, such as an anti-fungal composition.

The polypeptides and compositions of the present invention can be used in a preventative or prophylactic manner, i.e. the first application occurs prior to disease presence.

The polypeptides and compositions of the present invention can be used as contact fungicides.

According to the invention, there is thus provided a composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus. The polypeptide thereby causes retardation of growth of a spore of the said fungus and/or lysis of a spore of the said fungus. That is to say, binding of the polypeptide to a fungus results in retardation of growth of a spore of the said fungus and/or lysis of a spore of the said fungus There is also provided a polypeptide, which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus. The polypeptide thereby causes retardation of growth of a spore of the said fungus and/or lysis of a spore of the said fungus. That is to say, binding of the polypeptide to a fungus results in retardation of growth of a spore of the said fungus and/or lysis of a spore of the said fungus.

The polypeptides of and used in the invention may (specifically) bind to a membrane of a fungus or a component of a membrane of a fugus. In some embodiments, the polypeptides of and used in the invention do not (specifically) bind to a cell wall or a component of a cell wall of a fungus. For example, in some embodiments, the polypeptides of and used in the invention do not (specifically) bind to a glucosylceramide of a fungus.

The invention also provides a composition comprising at least one polypeptide, wherein said at least one polypeptide is capable of binding to a lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus). Said lipid-containing fraction may be obtainable by chromatography. For example, said lipid-containing fraction may be obtainable by a method comprising: fractionating hyphae of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus)by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

The invention also provides a polypeptide, wherein said at least one polypeptide is capable of binding to a lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus). Said lipid-containing fraction may be obtainable by chromatography. For example, said lipid-containing fraction may be obtainable by a method comprising: fractionating hyphae of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

Further, the invention provides a composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 , or an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% sequence identify thereto and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus.

According to the invention, there is further provided a composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises: a CDR1 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4 and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus.

The invention also provides: a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 , or an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% sequence identify thereto, wherein said polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus; and a polypeptide comprising a CDR1 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4, where said polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus.

The invention also provides a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 . The invention also provides a polypeptide having a CDR1 region comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4.

The invention also provides a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 , or an amino acid sequence having up to 1 , up to 2, up to 3, up to 4 or up to 5 amino acid substitutions thereof. The amino acid substitutions may increase the overall charge of the polypeptide or may not change the overall charge of the polypeptide.

Any of the polypeptides of the invention may be provided in a composition, for example an agrochemical composition.

A composition as disclosed herein may comprise at least one antibody or a functional fragment thereof, such as but not limited to a heavy chain antibody or a functional fragment thereof.

A composition as disclosed herein may comprise at least one heavy chain variable domain of a heavy chain antibody (VHH), which is naturally devoid of light chains or a functional fragment thereof, such as but not limited to a heavy chain variable domain of a camelid heavy chain antibody (camelid VHH) or a functional fragment thereof.

A composition as disclosed herein may comprise at least one camelized heavy chain variable domain of a conventional four-chain antibody (camelized VH), or a functional fragment thereof.

A composition as disclosed herein may comprise at least one heavy chain variable domain of an antibody or a functional fragment thereof, which does not have an amino acid sequence that is exactly the same as (i.e. as in a degree of sequence identity of 100% with) the amino acid sequence of a naturally occurring VH domain, such as the amino acid sequence of a naturally occurring VH domain from a mammal, and in particular from a human being.

A composition as disclosed herein may be an agrochemical composition.

An agrochemical composition as disclosed herein may at least comprise a polypeptide, which specifically binds to at least one plasma membrane component of a fungus.

The at least one plasma membrane component of the fungus to which the polypeptide comprised in the composition as disclosed herein binds may not be a protein.

The at least one polypeptide in the agrochemical composition disclosed herein may be present in an amount effective to protect or treat a human or animal or plant or a part of any thereof from an infection or other biological interaction with a fungal pathogen, such as for example but not limited to the concentration of the polypeptide in the agrochemical composition ranging from 0.0001% to 50% by weight.

The at least one polypeptide in the agrochemical compositions disclosed herein may be formulated in an aqueous solution, optionally but without limitation together with a suitable carrier and/or one or more suitable adjuvants, such as an agrochemically suitable carrier and/or one or more suitable adjuvants.

An agrochemical composition as disclosed herein may comprise at least one polypeptide, which specifically binds to a pathogenic fungus, i.e. a plant pathogenic fungus.

An agrochemical composition as disclosed herein may comprise at least one polypeptide which specifically binds to a plant pathogenic fungus, such as but not limited to a plant pathogenic fungus of a genus chosen from the group comprising Alternaria, Ascochyta, Botrytis, Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Diplodia, Erysiphe, Fusarium, Leptosphaeria, Gaeumanomyces, Helminthosporium, Macrophomina, Nectria, Penicillium, Peronospora, Phoma, Phymatotrichum, Phytophthora, Plasmopara, Podosphaera, Puccinia, Pyrenophora, Pyricularia, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Scerotium, Sclerotinia, Septoria, Thielaviopsis, Uncinula, Venturia, Verticillium, Magnaporthe, Blumeria, Mycosphaerella, Ustilago, Melampsora, Phakospora, Monilinia, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Aspergillus.

An agrochemical composition as disclosed herein may comprise at least one polypeptide, which specifically binds to a fungus, which is a fungus for a plant chosen from the group comprising cereals, sorghum, rice, sugar beet, fodder beet, fruit, nuts, the plantain family or grapevines, leguminous crops, oil crops, cucurbits, fibre plants, fuel crops, vegetables, ornamentals, shrubs, broad-leaved trees, evergreens, grasses, coffee, tea, tobacco, hops, pepper, rubber and latex plants.

The at least one polypeptide in the agrochemical composition disclosed herein, may at least comprise: DVQLQESGGRLVQAGGSLRLSCVASKGSFRGKTMAWFRQAPGKQRELVATITKGGSTNVSDSVKGRFTISRDNAKNT VSLQMSSLKPEDTAVYYCNARSGLSDRFRDYWGQGTQVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 1); or a sequence having at least about 80% sequence identity thereto and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus.

The at least one polypeptide in the agrochemical compositions disclosed herein may at least comprise the amino acid sequence of a CDR1 region having the sequence KGSFRGKTMA (SEQ ID NO: 2), a CDR2 region having the sequence TITKGGSTN (SEQ ID NO: 3), and a CDR3 region having the sequence RSGLSDRFRDY (SEQ ID NO: 4) and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus.

The polypeptides disclosed herein are generally capable of binding to a fungus.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides compositions comprising at least one polypeptide, which specifically binds to a fungus, for use as an anti-fungal agent. The present invention also provides the polypeptides, which specifically bind to a fungus, for use as an anti-fungal agent.

Accordingly, the invention provides a composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises: the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 , or an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% sequence identify thereto and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus for use as an anti-fungal agent; or a CDR1 region comprising the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region comprising the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region comprising the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4 and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus. The invention also provides use of a composition or polypeptide as disclosed herein as an anti-fungal agent. Such use may be as an anti-fungal agent on a plant. Accordingly, the present invention provides uses of agrochemical compositions comprising at least one polypeptide, which specifically binds to a fungus, as an anti-fungal agent on plants.

In the invention, an antifungal agent may be a fungistatic agent and/or fungicidal agent.

The invention also provides nucleic acid sequences encoding any of the polypeptide sequences disclosed herein.

Also, the present invention provides methods for protecting or treating a plant or a part of a plant from an infection with a plant pathogenic fungus, wherein the methods at least comprise the step of applying directly or indirectly to the plant or to a part of the plant, an agrochemical composition or polypeptide as disclosed herein. The agrochemical composition or polypeptide may be applied under conditions effective to protect or treat the plant or a part of the plant against infection with said plant pathogenic fungus.

These methods may comprise applying directly or indirectly to the plant or to a part of the plant an agrochemical composition or polypeptide as disclosed herein, for example at an application rate higher than 50g of the agrochemical composition or polypeptide per hectare, such as but not limited to an application rate higher than 75g of the agrochemical composition or polypeptide per hectare, such as an application rate higher than 100g of the agrochemical composition or polypeptide per hectare, or in particular an application rate higher than 200g of the agrochemical composition or polypeptide per hectare.

These methods may comprise applying directly or indirectly to the plant or to a part of the plant an agrochemical composition or polypeptide as disclosed herein, for example at an application rate between 50g and 100g of the agrochemical composition or polypeptide per hectare, such as but not limited to an application rate of between 50g and 200g of the agrochemical composition or polypeptide per hectare, in particular an application rate of between 75g and 175g of the agrochemical composition or polypeptide per hectare, such as between 75g and 150g of the agrochemical composition or polypeptide per hectare or between 75g and 125g per hectare.

The agrochemical compositions or polypeptides as disclosed herein may be directly or indirectly applied to the plant or to a part of the plant by spraying, atomizing, foaming, fogging, culturing in hydroculture, culturing in hydroponics, coating, submerging, and/or encrusting, optionally post-harvest.

The present invention also provides post-harvest treatment methods for protecting or treating a harvested plant or a harvested part of the plant from an infection with a plant pathogenic fungus, at least comprising the step of applying directly or indirectly to the harvested plant or to a harvested part of the plant, an agrochemical composition or polypeptide as disclosed herein, under conditions effective to protect or treat the harvested plant or a harvested part of the plant against infection with the plant pathogenic fungus.

The present invention also provides methods of inhibiting the growth of a plant pathogenic fungus or methods of killing a plant pathogenic fungus, the methods comprising at least the step of applying directly or indirectly to a plant or to a part of the plant, an agrochemical composition or polypeptide as disclosed herein.

In these methods, the agrochemical compositions or polypeptides as disclosed herein may be directly or indirectly applied to the plant or to a part of the plant by spraying, atomizing, foaming, fogging, culturing in hydroculture, culturing in hydroponics, coating, submerging, and/or encrusting, optionally post-harvest.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method for the preparation of a polypeptide which specifically binds to and/or has affinity to a fungus, which method comprises: immunizing an animal with a fungal target, or with a suitable antigenic determinant based thereon or derived therefrom, such as an antigenic part thereof, a fragment thereof, a region thereof, a domain thereof, a loop thereof or other epitope thereof; obtaining from the immunized animal a collection or sample of cells expressing polypeptide sequences; screening the collection or sample of cells for cells that express an amino acid sequence that binds to and/or has affinity for the fungal target; either (i) isolating the amino acid sequence, or (ii) isolating from the collection or sample of cells a nucleic acid sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence; and expressing said amino acid sequence, thereby to prepare a polypeptide which specifically binds to and/or has affinity to a fungus.

Immunisation may be performed using a crude lipid extract or total lipid extract. For example, in some embodiments, fungal hyphae and/or conidia (for example fungal hyphae and/or conidia of Fusarium oxysporum or Botrytis cinerea) may be extracted at room temperature, for example using chloroform:methanol at 2:1 and 1 :2 (v/v) ratios. Extracts so prepared may be combined and dried to provide a crude lipid extract or TLE for immunization.

The fungal target may be a lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of a fugus, for example Botrytis cinerea. Said lipid-containing fraction may be obtainable by chromatography. For example, said lipid-containing fraction may be obtainable by a method comprising: fractionating hyphae of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

A method for the preparation of an anti-fungal composition is also provided, which method comprises: preparing an anti-fungal polypeptide according to the method set out above; and combining the anti-fungal polypeptide with one or more suitable carriers and/or one or more suitable adjuvants.

Also provided by the invention is a transgenic plant, plant part, seed, or plant cell comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide as defined herein.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 sets out IncuCyte-based monitoring of fungal growth of Botrytis cinerea in the presence of escalating doses of VHH 36B08.

Figure 2 sets out IncuCyte-based monitoring of fungal growth of Colletotrichum musae in the presence of escalating doses of VHH 36B08. Results are given as the % confluency at the mid-log timepoint relative to the buffer control. FCCP is included as a chemical standard control.

Figure 3 shows a thin layer chromatography separation of the 4 different fractions present in a total lipid extract.

Figure 4 sets out the result of VHH 36B08 binding to liposome vesicles of different compositions containing the fluorescent molecule DPH relative to the Buffer control and relative to a non-antifungal reference VHH molecule (“RefVHH”).

Figure 5 shows microscopy images of treated Botrytis cinerea with 1 hour intervals. On the right hand side arrows indicate the phenotype Botrytis cinerea lysis or explosion when treated with VHH 36B08.

Figure 6 shows the results of IncuCyte-based monitoring of fungal growth of Alternaria brassisicola in the presence of VHH 36B08. Results are given as the % confluency at the mid-log timepoint relative to the buffer control. FCCP is included as a chemical standard control.

The sequence listing provides at least the following sequences of Table 1 :

Table 1 : Correlation between SEQ ID NOs and the polypeptide and CDR sequences

Detailed description of the invention

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any country.

All documents cited in the present specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

Definitions

Where the term "comprising" is used in the present description and claims, it does not exclude other elements or steps.

Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun e.g. "a" or "an", "the", this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated.

The term ’’about” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of +/-10% or less, preferably +/-5% or less, more preferably +/-1% or less, and still more preferably +/-0.1 % or less of and from the specified value, insofar such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosed invention. It is to be understood that the value to which the modifier 'about' refers is itself also specifically, and preferably, disclosed.

The following terms or definitions are provided solely to aid in the understanding of the invention. Unless specifically defined herein, all terms used herein have the same meaning as they would to one skilled in the art of the present invention. Practitioners are particularly directed to Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2^nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Press, Plainsview, New York (1989); and Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Supplement 47), John Wiley & Sons, New York (1999), for definitions and terms of the art. The definitions provided herein should not be construed to have a scope less than understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Unless indicated otherwise, all methods, steps, techniques and manipulations that are not specifically described in detail can be performed and have been performed in a manner known per se, as will be clear to the skilled person. Reference is for example again made to the standard handbooks, to the general background art referred to above and to the further references cited therein.

As used herein, the terms "polypeptide", "protein", “peptide”, and “amino acid sequence” are used interchangeably, and refer to a polymeric form of amino acids of any length, which can include coded and non-coded amino acids, chemically or biochemically modified or derivatized amino acids, and polypeptides having modified peptide backbones.

As used herein, amino acid residues will be indicated either by their full name or according to the standard three-letter or one-letter amino acid code.

As used herein, the terms "nucleic acid molecule", "polynucleotide", “polynucleic acid”, “nucleic acid” are used interchangeably and refer to a polymeric form of nucleotides of any length, either deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides, or analogs thereof. Polynucleotides may have any three- dimensional structure, and may perform any function, known or unknown. Non-limiting examples of polynucleotides include a gene, a gene fragment, exons, introns, messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA, ribozymes, cDNA, recombinant polynucleotides, branched polynucleotides, plasmids, vectors, isolated DNA of any sequence, control regions, isolated RNA of any sequence, nucleic acid probes, and primers. The nucleic acid molecule may be linear or circular.

As used herein, the term “homology” denotes at least secondary structural similarity between two macromolecules, particularly between two polypeptides or polynucleotides, from same or different taxons, wherein said similarity is due to shared ancestry. Hence, the term ’’homologues” denotes so-related macromolecules having said secondary and optionally tertiary structural similarity. For comparing two or more nucleotide sequences, the '(percentage of) sequence identity' between a first nucleotide sequence and a second nucleotide sequence may be calculated using methods known by the person skilled in the art, e.g. by dividing the number of nucleotides in the first nucleotide sequence that are identical to the nucleotides at the corresponding positions in the second nucleotide sequence by the total number of nucleotides in the first nucleotide sequence and multiplying by 100% or by using a known computer algorithm for sequence alignment such as NCBI Blast. In determining the degree of sequence identity between two amino acid sequences, the skilled person may take into account so-called 'conservative' amino acid substitutions, which can generally be described as amino acid substitutions in which an amino acid residue is replaced with another amino acid residue of similar chemical structure and which has little or essentially no influence on the function, activity or other biological properties of the polypeptide. Possible conservative amino acid substitutions will be clear to the person skilled in the art. Amino acid sequences and nucleic acid sequences are said to be “exactly the same” if they have 100% sequence identity over their entire length.

As used herein, the terms "complementarity determining region" or "CDR" within the context of antibodies refer to variable regions of either the H (heavy) or the L (light) chains (also abbreviated as VH and VL, respectively) and contain the amino acid sequences capable of specifically binding to antigenic targets. These CDR regions account for the basic specificity of the antibody for a particular antigenic determinant structure. Such regions are also referred to as "hypervariable regions." The CDRs represent non-contiguous stretches of amino acids within the variable regions but, regardless of species, the positional locations of these critical amino acid sequences within the variable heavy and light chain regions have been found to have similar locations within the amino acid sequences of the variable chains. The variable heavy and light chains of all canonical antibodies each have 3 CDR regions, each noncontiguous with the others (termed L1 , L2, L3, H1 , H2, H3) for the respective light (L) and heavy (H) chains.

The term "affinity", as used herein, refers to the degree to which a polypeptide, in particular an immunoglobulin, such as an antibody, or an immunoglobulin fragment, such as a VHH, binds to an antigen so as to shift the equilibrium of antigen and polypeptide toward the presence of a complex formed by their binding. Thus, for example, where an antigen and antibody (fragment) are combined in relatively equal concentration, an antibody (fragment) of high affinity will bind to the available antigen so as to shift the equilibrium toward high concentration of the resulting complex. The dissociation constant is commonly used to describe the affinity between the protein binding domain and the antigenic target. Typically, the dissociation constant is lower than 10⁵ M. Preferably, the dissociation constant is lower than 10⁶ M, more preferably, lower than 10⁷ M. Most preferably, the dissociation constant is lower than 10⁸ M.

The terms "specifically bind" and "specific binding", as used herein, generally refers to the ability of a polypeptide, in particular an immunoglobulin, such as an antibody, or an immunoglobulin fragment, such as a VHH, to preferentially bind to a particular antigen that is present in a homogeneous mixture of different antigens. In certain embodiments, a specific binding interaction will discriminate between desirable and undesirable antigens in a sample, in some embodiments more than about 10 to 100-fold or more (e.g., more than about 1000- or 10,000-fold).

Accordingly, an amino acid sequence as disclosed herein is said to ’’specifically bind to” a particular target when that amino acid sequence has affinity for, specificity for and/or is specifically directed against that target (or for at least one part or fragment thereof).

The “specificity” of an amino acid sequence as disclosed herein can be determined based on affinity and/or avidity.

An amino acid sequence as disclosed herein is said to be “specific for a first target antigen of interest as opposed to a second target antigen of interest” when it binds to the first target antigen of interest with an affinity that is at least 5 times, such as at least 10 times, such as at least 100 times, and preferably at least 1000 times higher than the affinity with which that amino acid sequence as disclosed herein binds to the second target antigen of interest. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, when an amino acid sequence as disclosed herein is said to be “specific for” a first target antigen of interest as opposed to a second target antigen of interest, it may specifically bind to (as defined herein) the first target antigen of interest, but not to the second target antigen of interest.

As used herein, the terms ’’inhibiting”, ’’reducing” and/or ’’preventing” may refer to (the use of) an amino acid sequence as disclosed herein that specifically binds to a target antigen of interest and inhibits, reduces and/or prevents the interaction between that target antigen of interest, and its natural binding partner. The terms ’’inhibiting”, ’’reducing” and/or ’’preventing” may also refer to (the use of) an amino acid sequence as disclosed herein that specifically binds to a target antigen of interest and inhibits, reduces and/or prevents a biological activity of that target antigen of interest, as measured using a suitable in vitro, cellular or in vivo assay. Accordingly, ’’inhibiting”, ’’reducing” and/or ’’preventing” may also refer to (the use of) an amino acid sequence as disclosed herein that specifically binds to a target antigen of interest and inhibits, reduces and/or prevents one or more biological or physiological mechanisms, effects, responses, functions pathways or activities in which the target antigen of interest is involved. Such an action of the amino acid sequence as disclosed herein as an antagonist may be determined in any suitable manner and/or using any suitable (in vitro and usually cellular or in vivo) assay known in the art, depending on the target antigen of interest.

Thus, more particularly, ’’inhibiting”, ’’reducing” and/or ’’preventing” using amino acid sequence as disclosed herein may mean either inhibiting, reducing and/or preventing the interaction between a target antigen of interest and its natural binding partner, or, inhibiting, reducing and/or preventing the activity of a target antigen of interest, or, inhibiting, reducing and/or preventing one or more biological or physiological mechanisms, effects, responses, functions, pathways or activities in which the target antigen of interest is involved, such as by at least 10%, but preferably at least 20%, for example by at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% or more, as measured using a suitable in vitro, cellular or in vivo assay, compared to the activity of the target antigen of interest in the same assay under the same conditions but without using the amino acid sequence as disclosed herein. In addition, ’’inhibiting”, ’’reducing” and/or ’’preventing” may also mean inducing a decrease in affinity, avidity, specificity and/or selectivity of a target antigen of interest for one or more of its natural binding partners and/or inducing a decrease in the sensitivity of the target antigen of interest for one or more conditions in the medium or surroundings in which the target antigen of interest is present (such as pH, ion strength, the presence of co-factors, etc.), compared to the same conditions but without the presence of the amino acid sequence as disclosed herein. In the context of the present invention, ’’inhibiting”, ’’reducing” and/or ’’preventing” may also involve allosteric inhibition, reduction and/or prevention of the activity of a target antigen of interest.

The inhibiting or antagonizing activity or the enhancing or agonizing activity of an amino acid sequence as disclosed herein may be reversible or irreversible, but for agrochemical, pharmaceutical and pharmacological applications will typically occur reversibly.

An amino acid sequence as disclosed herein is considered to be “(in) essentially isolated (form)” as used herein, when it has been extracted or purified from the host cell and/or medium in which it is produced.

In respect of the amino acid sequences as disclosed herein, the terms “binding region”, ’’binding site” or ’’interaction site” present on the amino acid sequences as disclosed herein shall herein have the meaning of a particular site, region, locus, part, or domain present on the target molecule, which particular site, region, locus, part, or domain is responsible for binding to that target molecule. Such binding region thus essentially consists of that particular site, region, locus, part, or domain of the target molecule, which is in contact with the amino acid sequence when bound to that target molecule.

“Plant” as used herein, means an entire plant or a part thereof, including fresh fruit, vegetables and seeds. The plant or plant part may be a live plant or part thereof. Also, the term "plant" as used herein encompasses whole plants, ancestors and progeny of the plants and plant parts, including seeds, shoots, stems, leaves, roots (including tubers), flowers, and tissues and organs, wherein each of the aforementioned comprise the gene/nucleic acid of interest. The term "plant" also encompasses plant cells, suspension cultures, callus tissue, embryos, meristematic regions, gametophytes, sporophytes, pollen and microspores, again wherein each of the aforementioned comprises the gene/nucleic acid of interest.

The choice of suitable control plants is a routine part of an experimental setup and may include corresponding wild type plants or corresponding plants without the gene of interest. The control plant is typically of the same plant species or even of the same variety as the plant to be assessed. The control plant may also be a nullizygote of the plant to be assessed. Nullizygotes are individuals missing the transgene by segregation. A "control plant" as used herein refers not only to whole plants, but also to plant parts, including seeds and seed parts.

“Crop” as used herein means a plant species or variety that is grown to be harvested as food, livestock fodder, fuel raw material, or for any other economic purpose. As a non-limiting example, said crops can be maize, cereals, such as wheat, rye, barley and oats, sorghum, rice, sugar beet and fodder beet, fruit, such as pome fruit (e.g. apples and pears), citrus fruit (e.g. oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, or mandarins), stone fruit (e. g. peaches, nectarines or plums), nuts (e.g. almonds or walnuts), soft fruit (e.g. cherries, strawberries, blackberries or raspberries), the plantain family or grapevines, leguminous crops, such as beans, lentils, peas and soya, oil crops, such as sunflower, safflower, rapeseed, canola, castor or olives, cucurbits, such as cucumbers, melons or pumpkins, fibre plants, such as cotton, flax or hemp, fuel crops, such as sugarcane, miscanthus or switchgrass, vegetables, such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, spinach, onions, carrots, egg-plants, asparagus or cabbage, ornamentals, such as flowers (e.g. petunias, pelargoniums, roses, tulips, lilies, or chrysanthemums), shrubs, broadleaved trees (e.g. poplars or willows) and evergreens (e.g. conifers), grasses, such as lawn, turf or forage grass or other useful plants, such as coffee, tea, tobacco, hops, pepper, rubber or latex plants.

A “pest”, as used here, is an organism that is harmful to plants, animals, humans or human concerns, and includes, but is not limited to crop pests (as later defined), household pests, such as cockroaches, ants, etc., and disease vectors, such as malaria mosquitoes.

A “plant pest”, “plant pathogen” or “crop pest”, as used in the application interchangeably, refers to organisms that specifically cause damage to plants, plant parts or plant products, particularly plants, plant parts or plant products, used in agriculture. Note that the term “plant pest” or “crop pest” is used in the meaning that the pest targets and harms plants. Pests particularly belong to invertebrate animals (e.g. insects (including agricultural pest insects, insect pests of ornamental plants, insect pests of forests). Relevant crop pest examples include, but are not limited to, aphids, caterpillars, flies, wasps, and the like, nematodes (living freely in soil or particularly species that parasitize plant roots, such as root-knot nematode and cyst nematodes such as soybean cyst nematode and potato cyst nematode), mites (such as spider mites, thread-footed mites and gall mites) and gastropods (including slugs such as Deroceras spp., Milax spp., Tandonia sp., Limax spp., Arion spp. and Veronicella spp. and snails such as Helix spp., Cernuella spp., Theba spp., Cochlicella spp., Achatina spp., Succinea spp., Ovachlamys spp., Amphibulima spp., Zachrysia spp., Bradybaena spp., and Pomacea spp.), pathogenic fungi (including Ascomycetes (such as Fusarium spp., Thielaviopsis spp., Verticillium spp., Magnaporthe spp.), Basidiomycetes (such as Rhizoctonia spp., Phakospora spp., Puccinia spp.), and fungal-like Oomycetes (such as Pythium spp. and Phytophthora spp.), bacteria (such as Burkholderia spp. and Proteobacteria such as Xanthomonas spp. and Pseudomonas spp.), Phytoplasma, Spiroplasma, viruses (such as tobacco mosaic virus and cauliflower mosaic virus), and protozoa.

“Microbe”, as used herein, means bacterium, virus, fungus, yeast and the like and “microbial” means derived from a microbe.

“Fungus”, as used herein, means a eukaryotic organism, belonging to the group of Eumycota. The term fungus in the present invention also includes fungal-like organisms such as the Oomycota. Oomycota (or oomycetes) form a distinct phylogenetic lineage of fungus-like eukaryotic microorganisms. This group was originally classified among the fungi but modern insights support a relatively close relationship with the photosynthetic organisms such as brown algae and diatoms, within the group of heterokonts.

“Pest infection” or “pest disease” as used herein refers to any inflammatory condition, disease or disorder in a living organism, such as a plant, animal or human, which is caused by a pest. “Fungal infection” or “fungal disease” as used herein refers to any inflammatory condition, disease or disorder in a living organism, such as a plant, animal or human, which is caused by a fungus.

“Active substance”, “active ingredient” or “active principle”, as used interchangeably herein, means any biological, biochemical or chemical element and its derivatives, fragments or compounds based thereon, including micro-organisms, having general or specific action against harmful organisms on a subject, and in particular on plants, parts of plants or on plant products, as they occur naturally or by manufacture, including any impurity inevitably resulting from the manufacturing process.

“Agrochemical”, as used herein, means suitable for use in the agrochemical industry (including agriculture, horticulture, floriculture and home and garden uses, but also products intended for non-crop related uses such as public health/pest control operator uses to control undesirable insects and rodents, household uses, such as household fungicides and insecticides and agents, for protecting plants or parts of plants, crops, bulbs, tubers, fruits (e.g. from harmful organisms, diseases or pests); for controlling, preferably promoting or increasing, the growth of plants; and/or for promoting the yield of plants, crops or the parts of plants that are harvested (e.g. its fruits, flowers, seeds etc.). Examples of such substances will be clear to the skilled person and may for example include compounds that are active as insecticides (e.g. contact insecticides or systemic insecticides, including insecticides for household use), herbicides (e.g. contact herbicides or systemic herbicides, including herbicides for household use), fungicides (e.g. contact fungicides or systemic fungicides, including fungicides for household use), nematicides (e.g. contact nematicides or systemic nematicides, including nematicides for household use) and other pesticides or biocides (for example agents for killing insects or snails); as well as fertilizers; growth regulators such as plant hormones; micro-nutrients, safeners, pheromones; repellants; insect baits; and/or active principles that are used to modulate (i.e. increase, decrease, inhibit, enhance and/or trigger) gene expression (and/or other biological or biochemical processes) in or by the targeted plant (e.g. the plant to be protected or the plant to be controlled), such as nucleic acids (e.g., single stranded or double stranded RNA, as for example used in the context of RNAi technology) and other factors, proteins, chemicals, etc. known per se for this purpose, etc. Examples of such agrochemicals will be clear to the skilled person; and for example include, without limitation: glyphosate, paraquat, metolachlor, acetochlor, mesotrione, 2, 4-D, atrazine, glufosinate, sulfosate, fenoxaprop, pendimethalin, picloram, trifluralin, bromoxynil, clodinafop, fluroxypyr, nicosulfuron, bensulfuron, imazetapyr, dicamba, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, fipronil, chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalotrin, endosulfan, methamidophos, carbofuran, clothianidin, cypermethrin, abamectin, diflufenican, spinosad, indoxacarb, bifenthrin, tefluthrin, azoxystrobin, thiamethoxam, tebuconazole, mancozeb, cyazofamid, fluazinam, pyraclostrobin, epoxiconazole, chlorothalonil, copper fungicides, trifloxystrobin, prothioconazole, difenoconazole, carbendazim, propiconazole, thiophanate, sulphur, boscalid and other known agrochemicals or any suitable combination(s) thereof.

An “agrochemical composition” as used herein means a composition for agrochemical use, as further defined, comprising at least one active substance, optionally with one or more additives favoring optimal dispersion, atomization, deposition, leaf wetting, distribution, retention and/or uptake of agrochemicals. It will become clear from the further description herein that an agrochemical composition as used herein includes biological control agents or biological pesticides (including but not limited to biological biocidal, biostatic, fungistatic and fungicidal agents) and these terms will be interchangeably used in the present application. Accordingly, an agrochemical composition as used herein includes compositions comprising at least one biological molecule as an active ingredient, substance or principle for controlling pests in plants or in other agro-related settings (such for example in soil). Non-limiting examples of biological molecules being used as active principles in the agrochemical compositions disclosed herein are proteins (including antibodies and fragments thereof, such as but not limited to heavy chain variable domain fragments of antibodies, including VHH’s), nucleic acid sequences, (poly-) saccharides, lipids, vitamins, hormones glycolipids, sterols, and glycerolipids.

As a non-limiting example, the additives in the agrochemical compositions disclosed herein may include but are not limited to diluents, solvents, adjuvants, surfactants, wetting agents, spreading agents, oils, stickers, thickeners, penetrants, buffering agents, acidifiers, anti-settling agents, anti-freeze agents, photo-protectors, defoaming agents, biocides and/or drift control agents.

A “biostatic composition” or a “biostatic agent” as used herein means any active ingredient, substance or principle or a composition comprising any active ingredient, substance or principle for biostatic use (as further defined herein) comprising at least one active biostatic substance or ingredient, optionally combined with one or more additives favoring optimal dispersion, atomization, deposition, leaf wetting, distribution, retention and/or uptake of the active substance or ingredient. As a non-limiting examples such additives are diluents, solvents, adjuvants, (ionic) surfactants, wetting agents, spreading agents, oils, stickers, thickeners, penetrants, buffering agents, acidifiers, anti-settling agents, anti-freeze agents, photo-protectors, defoaming agents, biocides, protease inhibitors and/or drift control agents.

A “biocidal composition” or a “biocidal agent” as used herein means any active ingredient, substance or principle or a composition comprising any active ingredient, substance or principle for biocidal use (as further defined herein) comprising at least one active biocidal substance or ingredient, optionally combined with one or more additives favoring optimal dispersion, atomization, deposition, leaf wetting, distribution, retention and/or uptake of the active substance or ingredient. As a non-limiting examples such additives are diluents, solvents, adjuvants, (ionic) surfactants, wetting agents, spreading agents, oils, stickers, thickeners, penetrants, buffering agents, acidifiers, anti-settling agents, anti-freeze agents, photo-protectors, defoaming agents, biocides, protease inhibitors and/or drift control agents.

A “fungistatic composition” or a “fungistatic agent” as used herein means any active ingredient, substance or principle or a composition comprising any active ingredient, substance or principle for fungistatic use (as further defined herein) comprising at least one active fungistatic substance or ingredient, optionally combined with one or more additives favoring optimal dispersion, atomization, deposition, leaf wetting, distribution, retention and/or uptake of the active substance or ingredient. As a non-limiting examples such additives are diluents, solvents, adjuvants, (ionic) surfactants, wetting agents, spreading agents, oils, stickers, thickeners, penetrants, buffering agents, acidifiers, anti-settling agents, anti-freeze agents, photo-protectors, defoaming agents, biocides, protease inhibitors and/or drift control agents.

A “fungicidal composition” or a “fungicidal agent” as used herein means any active ingredient, substance or principle or a composition comprising any active ingredient, substance or principle for fungicidal use (as further defined herein) comprising at least one active fungicidal substance or ingredient, optionally combined with one or more additives favoring optimal dispersion, atomization, deposition, leaf wetting, distribution, retention and/or uptake of the active substance or ingredient. As a non-limiting examples such additives are diluents, solvents, adjuvants, (ionic) surfactants, wetting agents, spreading agents, oils, stickers, thickeners, penetrants, buffering agents, acidifiers, anti-settling agents, anti-freeze agents, photo-protectors, defoaming agents, biocides, protease inhibitors and/or drift control agents.

“Agrochemical use”, as used herein, not only includes the use of agrochemicals as defined above (for example, pesticides, growth regulators, nutrients/fertilizers, repellants, defoliants etc.) that are suitable and/or intended for use in field grown crops (e.g., agriculture), but also includes the use of agrochemicals as defined above (for example, pesticides, growth regulators, nutrients/fertilizers, repellants, defoliants etc.) that are meant for use in greenhouse grown crops (e.g. horticulture/floriculture) or hydroponic culture systems and even the use of agrochemicals as defined above that are suitable and/or intended for non-crop uses such as uses in private gardens, household uses (for example, herbicides or insecticides for household use), or uses by pest control operators (for example, weed control etc.).

“Biostatic (effect)” or “biostatic use”, as used herein, includes any effect or use of an active substance (optionally comprised in a biostatic, biocidal, fungicidal or fungistatic composition as defined herein) for controlling, modulating or interfering with the harmful activity of a pest, such as a plant pest or a plant pathogen, including but not limited to inhibiting the growth or activity of the pest, altering the behavior of the pest, and repelling or attracting the pest in plants, plant parts or in other agro-related settings, such as for example for household uses or in soil.

“Biocidal (effect)” or “biocidal use”, as used herein, includes any effect or use of an active substance (optionally comprised in a biocidal or fungicidal composition as defined herein) for controlling, modulating or interfering with the harmful activity of a pest, such as a plant pest or a plant pathogen, including but not limited to killing the pest, inhibiting the growth or activity of the pest, altering the behavior of the pest, and repelling or attracting the pest in plants, plant parts or in other agro-related settings, such as for example for household uses or in soil.

“Anti-fungal” activity or effect refers to fungistatic and/or fungicidal acitivty or effect.

“Fungistatic (effect)” or “Fungistatic use” or “fungistatic activity”, as used herein, includes any effect or use of an active substance (optionally comprised in a fungicidal or fungistatic composition as defined herein) for controlling, modulating or interfering with the harmful activity of a fungus, including but not limited to inhibiting the growth or activity of the fungus, altering the behavior of the fungus, and repelling or attracting the fungus in plants, plant parts or in other agro-related settings, such as for example for household uses or in soil.

“Fungicidal (effect)” or “Fungicidal use” or “fungicidal activity”, as used herein, includes any effect or use of an active substance (optionally comprised in a fungicidal composition as defined herein) for controlling, modulating or interfering with the harmful activity of a fungus, including but not limited to killing the fungus, inhibiting the growth or activity of the fungus, altering the behavior of the fungus, and repelling or attracting the fungus in plants, plant parts or in other agro-related settings, such as for example for household uses or in soil.

“Pesticidal activity” or “biocidal activity”, as used interchangeably herein, means to interfere with the harmful activity of a pest, including but not limited to killing the pest, inhibiting the growth or activity of the pest, altering the behavior of the pest, repelling or attracting the pest.

“Biostatic activity”, as used herein, means to interfere with the harmful activity of a pest, including but not limited to inhibiting the growth or activity of the pest, altering the behavior of the pest, repelling or attracting the pest. Pesticidal, biocidal, or biostatic activity of an active ingredient, substance or principle or a composition or agent comprising a pesticidal, biocidal, or biostatic active ingredient, substance or principle, can be expressed as the minimum inhibitory activity (MIC) of an agent (expressed in units of concentration such as e.g. mg/mL), without however being restricted thereto.

“Fungicidal activity”, as used herein, means to interfere with the harmful activity of a fungus, including but not limited to killing the fungus, inhibiting the growth or activity of the fungus, altering the behavior of the fungus, and repelling or attracting the fungus.

“Fungistatic activity”, as used herein, means to interfere with the harmful activity of a fungus, including but not limited to inhibiting the growth or activity of the fungus, altering the behavior of the fungus, and repelling or attracting the fungus.

Fungicidal or fungistatic activity of an active ingredient, substance or principle or a composition or agent comprising a pesticidal, biocidal, or biostatic active ingredient, substance or principle, can be expressed as the minimum inhibitory activity (MIC) of an agent (expressed in units of concentration such as e.g. mg/mL), without however being restricted thereto.

A “carrier”, as used herein, means any solid, semi-solid or liquid carrier in or on(to) which an active substance can be suitably incorporated, included, immobilized, adsorbed, absorbed, bound, encapsulated, embedded, attached, or comprised. Non-limiting examples of such carriers include nanocapsules, microcapsules, nanospheres, microspheres, nanoparticles, microparticles, liposomes, vesicles, beads, a gel, weak ionic resin particles, liposomes, cochleate delivery vehicles, small granules, granulates, nano-tubes, bucky-balls, water droplets that are part of an water-in-oil emulsion, oil droplets that are part of an oil-in-water emulsion, organic materials such as cork, wood or other plant-derived materials (e.g. in the form of seed shells, wood chips, pulp, spheres, beads, sheets or any other suitable form), paper or cardboard, inorganic materials such as talc, clay, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, alumina, silicates and zeolites, or even microbial cells (such as yeast cells) or suitable fractions or fragments thereof.

As used herein, the term "antibody" refers to polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, humanized antibodies, single-chain antibodies, and fragments thereof such as Fab F(ab)2 , Fv, and other fragments that retain the antigen binding function of the parent antibody. As such, an antibody may refer to an immunoglobulin or glycoprotein, or fragment or portion thereof, or to a construct comprising an antigen-binding portion comprised within a modified immunoglobulin-like framework, or to an antigenbinding portion comprised within a construct comprising a non- immunoglobulin-like framework or scaffold.

As used herein, the term "monoclonal antibody" refers to an antibody composition having a homogeneous antibody population. The term is not limited regarding the species or source of the antibody, nor is it intended to be limited by the manner in which it is made. The term encompasses whole immunoglobulins as well as fragments such as Fab, F ab)2, Fv, and others that retain the antigen binding function of the antibody. Monoclonal antibodies of any mammalian species can be used in this invention. In practice, however, the antibodies will typically be of rat or murine origin because of the availability of rat or murine cell lines for use in making the required hybrid cell lines or hybridomas to produce monoclonal antibodies. As used herein, the term "polyclonal antibody" refers to an antibody composition having a heterogeneous antibody population. Polyclonal antibodies are often derived from the pooled serum from immunized animals or from selected humans.

“Heavy chain variable domain of an antibody or a functional fragment thereof’, as used herein, means (i) the variable domain of the heavy chain of a heavy chain antibody, which is naturally devoid of light chains (also indicated hereafter as VHH), including but not limited to the variable domain of the heavy chain of heavy chain antibodies of camelids or sharks or (ii) the variable domain of the heavy chain of a conventional four-chain antibody (also indicated hereafter as VH), including but not limited to a camelized (as further defined herein) variable domain of the heavy chain of a conventional four-chain antibody (also indicated hereafter as camelized VH).

As further described hereinbelow, the amino acid sequence and structure of a heavy chain variable domain of an antibody can be considered, without however being limited thereto, to be comprised of four framework regions or “FR's”, which are referred to in the art and hereinbelow as “framework region 1” or “FR1”; as “framework region 2” or “FR2”; as “framework region 3” or “FR3”; and as “framework region 4” or “FR4”, respectively, which framework regions are interrupted by three complementary determining regions or “CDR's”, which are referred to in the art as “complementarity determining region 1” or “CDR1”; as “complementarity determining region 2” or “CDR2”; and as “complementarity determining region 3” or “CDR3”, respectively.

As also further described hereinbelow, the total number of amino acid residues in a heavy chain variable domain of an antibody (including a VHH or a VH) can be in the region of 110-130, is preferably 112-115, and is most preferably 113. It should however be noted that parts, fragments or analogs of a heavy chain variable domain of an antibody are not particularly limited as to their length and/or size, as long as such parts, fragments or analogs retain (at least part of) the functional activity, such as the pesticidal, biocidal, biostatic activity, fungicidal or fungistatic activity (as defined herein) and/or retain (at least part of) the binding specificity of the original a heavy chain variable domain of an antibody from which these parts, fragments or analogs are derived from. Parts, fragments or analogs retaining (at least part of) the functional activity, such as the pesticidal, biocidal, biostatic activity, fungicidal or fungistatic activity (as defined herein) and/or retaining (at least part of) the binding specificity of the original heavy chain variable domain of an antibody from which these parts, fragments or analogs are derived from are also further referred to herein as “functional fragments” of a heavy chain variable domain.

A method for numbering the amino acid residues of heavy chain variable domains is the method described by Chothia et al. (Nature 342, 877-883 (1989)), the so-called “AbM definition” and the so-called “contact definition”. Herein, this is the numbering system adopted.

Alternatively, the amino acid residues of a variable domain of a heavy chain variable domain of an antibody (including a VHH or a VH) may be numbered according to the general numbering for heavy chain variable domains given by Kabat et al. ‘Sequence of proteins of immunological interest’, US Public Health Services, NIH Bethesda, Md., Publication No. 91), as applied to VHH domains from Camelids in the article of Riechmann and Muyldermans, referred to above (see for example FIG. 2 of said reference).

For a general description of heavy chain antibodies and the variable domains thereof, reference is inter alia made to the following references, which are mentioned as general background art: WO 94/04678, WO 95/04079 and WO 96/34103 of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel; WO 94/25591 , WO 99/37681 , WO 00/40968, WO 00/43507, WO 00/65057, WO 01/40310, WO 01/44301 , EP 1134231 and WO 02/48193 of Unilever; WO 97/49805, WO 01/21817, WO 03/035694, WO 03/054016 and WO 03/055527 of the Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB); WO 03/050531 of Algonomics N.V. and Ablynx NV; WO 01/90190 by the National Research Council of Canada; WO 03/025020 (=EP 1 433 793) by the Institute of Antibodies; as well as WO 04/041867, WO 04/041862, WO 04/041865, WO 04/041863, WO 04/062551 by Ablynx; Hamers-Casterman et al., Nature 1993 Jun. 3; 363 (6428): 446-8.

Generally, it should be noted that the term “heavy chain variable domain” as used herein in its broadest sense is not limited to a specific biological source or to a specific method of preparation. For example, as will be discussed in more detail below, the heavy chain variable domains of the invention can be obtained (1) by isolating the VHH domain of a naturally occurring heavy chain antibody; (2) by isolating the VH domain of a naturally occurring four-chain antibody (3) by expression of a nucleotide sequence encoding a naturally occurring VHH domain; (4) by expression of a nucleotide sequence encoding a naturally occurring VH domain (5) by “camelization” (as described below) of a naturally occurring VH domain from any animal species, in particular a species of mammal, such as from a human being, or by expression of a nucleic acid encoding such a camelized VH domain; (6) by “camelisation” of a “domain antibody” or “Dab” as described by Ward et al (supra), or by expression of a nucleic acid encoding such a camelized VH domain (7) using synthetic or semi-synthetic techniques for preparing proteins, polypeptides or other amino acid sequences; (8) by preparing a nucleic acid encoding a VHH or a VH using techniques for nucleic acid synthesis, followed by expression of the nucleic acid thus obtained; and/or (9) by any combination of the foregoing. Suitable methods and techniques for performing the foregoing will be clear to the skilled person based on the disclosure herein and for example include the methods and techniques described in more detail hereinbelow.

However, according to a specific embodiment, the heavy chain variable domains as disclosed herein do not have an amino acid sequence that is exactly the same as (i.e. as a degree of sequence identity of 100% with) the amino acid sequence of a naturally occurring VH domain, such as the amino acid sequence of a naturally occurring VH domain from a mammal, and in particular from a human being.

The terms "effective amount" and "effective dose", as used herein, mean the amount needed to achieve the desired result or results.

As used herein, the terms “determining”, ’’measuring”, ’’assessing”, “monitoring” and “assaying” are used interchangeably and include both quantitative and qualitative determinations.

All documents cited in the present specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, term definitions are included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention.

POLYPEPTIDES

The polypeptides disclosed here are generally capable of binding to a fungus. The polypeptide thereby causes retardation of growth of a spore of the said fungus and/or lysis of a spore of the said fungus. That is to say, binding of the polypeptide to a fungus results in retardation of growth of a spore of the said fungus and/or lysis of a spore of the said fungus.

The polypeptides may be capable of (specifically) binding to a lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of a fungus, such as for example a lipid-containing fraction of Botrytis cinerea or other fungus. Said lipid-containing fraction (of Botrytis cinerea or otherwise) may be obtainable by chromatography. The chromatography may be performed on a crude lipid extract (also referred to herein as a total lipid extract, or TLE) obtained from fungal hyphae and/or conidia. The chromatography may be, for example, thin-layer chromatography or normal-phase flash chromatography. The chromatography (for example thin-layer chromatography) may be performed on a substrate, for example a glass plate coated with silica gel. The chromatography may be performed using a chloroform/methanol mixture (for example 85/15% v/v) as the eluent.

For example, said lipid-containing fraction may be obtainable by a method comprising: fractionating hyphae and/or conidia of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

In a more specific embodiment, the lipid-containing fraction may be obtainable by a method comprising: fractionating hyphae and/or conidia of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography on a silica-coated glass slide using a chloroform/methanol mixture (for example 85/15% v/v) as the eluent and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

Alternatively, the fraction may be obtained using normal-phase flash chromatography. In such a method, the method may comprise: fractionating hyphae and/or conidia of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract normal-phase flash chromatography, and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

In a more specific embodiment, the lipid-containing fraction may be obtainable by a method comprising: fractionating hyphae and/or conidia of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract normal-phase flash chromatography comprising dissolving the TLE in dichloromethane (CH2CI2) and MeOH and using CFLCL/MeOH (for example 85/15%, v/v) as the eluent, followed by filtration of the fractions through a filter.

In a more specific embodiment, the lipid-containing fraction may be obtainable by a method comprising: fractionating hyphae and/or conidia of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract normal-phase flash chromatography comprising dissolving the TLE in dichloromethane (CH2CI2) and MeOH loading the TLE on to a phase flash cartridge (for example a flash cartridge with 15 pm particles), running the column with CH2Cl2/MeOH (85/15%, v/v) as the eluent, and filtering the fractions through a filter (for example a 0.45 pm syringe filter with a nylon membrane) and drying the fractions. The fractions from the chromatography may be processed prior to testing of binding of the polypeptide to the fraction or of interaction with the fraction. For example, liposomes comprising the fractions may be prepared. Such a method may comprise the use of thin-film hydration. For example, in such a method, liposomes may be prepared using thin-film hydration with the addition of 1 ,6-diphenyl- 1 ,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). Binding and/or disruption of the membranes by binding of the polypeptide may be measured by a change in fluorescence before and after polypeptide binding (or by reference to a suitable control).

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the polypeptides of and used in the invention may (specifically) bind to a lipid-containing chromatographic fraction of the plasma membrane of a fungus, optionally wherein the lipid-containing chromatographic fraction is prepared into liposomes prior to testing the binding of the polypeptide thereto.

Binding of the polypeptide to a lipid-containing fraction of a fungus may be confirmed by any suitable method, for example bio-layer interferometry. Specific interactions with the lipid-containing fractions may be tested. For example, it may be determined if the polypeptide is able to disrupt the lipid fraction when the fraction is prepared into liposomes, for example using thin-film hydration.

In methods involving chromatography, an extraction step may be performed prior to the step of chromatography. For example, fungal hyphae and/or conidia may be subjected to an extraction step to provide a crude lipid extract or total lipid extract on which the chromatography is performed. For example, in some embodiments, fungal hyphae and/or conidia (for example fungal hyphae and/or conidia of Fusarium oxysporum or Botrytis cinerea) may be extracted at room temperature, for example using chloroform:methanol at 2:1 and 1 :2 (v/v) ratios. Extracts so prepared may be combined and dried to provide a crude lipid extract or TLE.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the polypeptide may be capable of (specifically) binding to a lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of a fungus (such as Fusarium oxysporum or Botrytis cinerea), wherein the lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of the fungus is obtained or obtainable by chromatography. The chromatography may be normal-phase flash chromatography or thin- layer chromatography. Binding of the polypeptide to the lipid to the lipid-containing fraction may be determined according to bio-layer interferometry. In some embodiments, the chromatography step may be performed on a crude lipid fraction obtained or obtainable by a method comprising extracting lipids from fungal hyphae and/or conidia from a fungal sample. The extraction step may use chloroform:methanol at 2:1 and 1 :2 (v/v) ratios to provide two extracts, and then combining the extracts.

In methods relating to thin-layer chromatography, the chromatography may comprise the steps of: fractionating hyphae of the fungus by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

In some methods relating to thin-layer chromatography, the chromatography may comprise the steps of: fractionating hyphae and/or conidia of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography on a silica-coated glass slide using a chloroform/methanol mixture (for example 85/15% v/v) as the eluent and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction. In methods relating to normal-phase flash chromatography, the chromatography may comprise the steps of: fractionating hyphae and/or conidia of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract normal-phase flash chromatography, and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

In some methods relating to normal-phase flash chromatography, the chromatography may comprise the steps of: fractionating hyphae and/or conidia of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus)by total lipid extract normal-phase flash chromatography comprising dissolving the TLE in dichloromethane (CH2CI2) and MeOH and using CFLCh/MeOH (for example 85/15%, v/v) as the eluent, followed by filtration of the fractions through a filter.

In some methods relating to normal-phase flash chromatography, the chromatography may comprise the steps of: fractionating hyphae and/or conidia of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus)by total lipid extract normal-phase flash chromatography comprising dissolving the TLE in dichloromethane (CH2CI2) and MeOH loading the TLE on to a phase flash cartridge (for example a flash cartridge with 15 pm particles), running the column with CH2Cl2/MeOH (85/15%, v/v) as the eluent, and filtering the fractions through a filter (for example a 0.45 pm syringe filter with a nylon membrane) and drying the fractions.

In some aspects, the present invention provides a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 , or a sequence having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 98% identity thereto.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a polypeptide comprising: a CDR1 region comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2; a CDR2 region comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3; and a CDR3 region comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO:.

In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises only the specified CDR1 and CDR2 sequences of the above polypeptides, since the CDR3 region may be more amenable to substitutions without losing activity (as demonstrated by replacing the CDR3 region with an unrelated CDR3, i.e. one that does not bind fungus). Hence, the CDR3 region sequence is optional. In general, the polypeptide may still comprise a CDR3 region (for example to ensure it retains structural integrity) but the sequence of the CDR3 region is of less importance. For example, the polypeptide may comprise a CDR1 region, a CDR2 region and a CDR3 region, wherein the CDR1 and CDR2 regions each comprise or consist of the sequences as specified herein, but the CDR3 region comprises any sequence (for example any sequence having a length of from 8 to 16 amino acid residues).

The polypeptides defined herein may suitably have certain framework region sequences. For example, the polypeptide may comprise a framework region 1 (FR1) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 5, a framework region 2 (FR2) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 6, a framework region 3 (FR3) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 7, and a framework region 4 (FR4) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 8. In some embodiments, for example those relating to any polypeptides of or derived from the clone referred to herein as 36B08, including any polypeptides having any specified sequence identity thereto or any substitutions therefrom, may comprise a framework region 1 (FR1) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 5, a framework region 2 (FR2) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 6, a framework region 3 (FR3) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 7, and a framework region 4 (FR4) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 8.

The CDR and framework regions maybe defined according to the Kabat numbering system.

In some embodiments, the polypeptides may be from 80 to 200 residues in length.

The polypeptides of the invention may be provided in the form of compositions, for example agrochemical compositions.

COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE POLYPEPTIDE

In one aspect, the present inventors have provided agrochemical compositions comprising at least one polypeptide, which can specifically bind to a pest. Importantly, through this interaction with a specific molecular structure of the pest, the compositions disclosed herein are capable of inhibiting, preventing or reducing one or more biological activities of the plant pathogen, such that the growth of the plant pathogen is inhibited, prevented or reduced. In certain embodiments, the agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein are capable of killing a plant pest through the specific interaction of at least one polypeptide, which can specifically bind to a pest and which is comprised in the compositions.

Accordingly, the agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein can be used to modulate, such as to decrease or inhibit, the biological function of a plant pest by binding to a binding site present on a target of that plant pest thereby affecting the natural biological activities (such as, but not limited to, growth) of the pest and/or one or more biological pathways in which the structural target of that pest is involved.

Furthermore, the compositions comprising at least one polypeptide as disclosed herein have several additional advantages over the traditional immunoglobulin and non-immunoglobulin binding agents known in the art. Indeed, in certain embodiments, the amino acid sequences as disclosed herein are isolated heavy chain immunoglobulin variable domains, which are more potent and more stable than conventional four-chain antibodies, leading to (1) lower dosage forms, less frequent dosage and thus less side effects; and (2) improved stability resulting in a broader choice of administration routes. Because of their small size, heavy chain immunoglobulin variable domains have the ability to cross membranes and penetrate into physiological compartments, tissues and organs not accessible to other, larger polypeptides and proteins.

In one specific, but non-limiting embodiment, the at least one polypeptide comprised in the compositions as disclosed herein may be a polypeptide comprising or, under suitable conditions (such as physiological conditions) capable of forming an immunoglobulin fold (i.e. by folding). Reference is inter alia made to the review by Halaby et al., J. (1999) Protein Eng. 12, 563-71. Preferably, when properly folded so as to form an immunoglobulin fold, such a polypeptide sequence is capable of specific binding (as defined herein) to a target or an antigen; and more preferably capable of binding to a pest target or a pest antigen with an affinity (suitably measured and/or expressed as a Ko-value (actual or apparent), a KA-value (actual or apparent), a kon-rate and/or a k_Off-rate, or alternatively as an IC50 value, as further described herein) that is as defined herein. Also, parts, fragments, analogs, mutants, variants, alleles and/or derivatives of such polypeptide sequences are preferably such that they comprise an immunoglobulin fold or are capable for forming, under suitable conditions, an immunoglobulin fold.

In particular embodiments, the invention provides an agrochemical composition or a biological pesticide composition for combating plant pests, more particularly a plant fungus, which composition comprises at least one polypeptide or amino acid sequence of between 80 and 200 amino acids as the active substance. Note “between 80 and 200 amino acids” as used herein refers to from 80 to 200, i.e. it includes the amount of 80 amino acids and also the amount of 200 amino acids. “Between 80 and 200 amino acids” can therefore be used interchangeable with “from 80 to 200 amino acids”.

In certain further embodiments, the invention provides an agrochemical composition for combating plant pests, which composition comprises at least two (different) polypeptides or at least two (different) amino acid sequences of between 80 and 200 amino acids as the active substance.

In still further embodiments, the invention provides an agrochemical composition for combating plant pests, which composition comprises at least three (different) polypeptides or at least three (different) amino acid sequences of between 80 and 200 amino acids as the active substance. Additional combinations of different polypeptides are also envisaged.

The agrochemical composition according to the invention is an agrochemical composition, as defined herein, for combating plant pests, as defined before, meaning that the agrochemical composition, more in particular the active substance, as defined before, comprised in the agrochemical composition, is able to interfere with, preferably to reduce or to arrest, the harmful effects of one or more plant pests on one or more plants, preferably crops.

The polypeptides or amino acid sequences comprised in the compositions disclosed herein can be naturally occurring polypeptides or amino acid sequences, they can be derived from a naturally occurring polypeptide, or alternatively they can be entirely artificially designed or synthesised. The polypeptides or amino acid sequences can be immunoglobulin-based or they can be based on domains present in proteins, including but not limited to microbial proteins, protease inhibitors, toxins, fibronectin, lipocalins, single chain antiparallel coiled coil proteins or repeat motif proteins. Non-limiting examples of such polypeptides, with the herein described ranges of amino acid lengths, include carbohydrate binding domains (CBD) (Blake et al (2006) J. Biol. Chem. 281 , 29321-29329), heavy chain antibodies (hcAb), single domain antibodies (sdAb), minibodies (Tramontano et al (1994) J. Mol. Recognition 7, 9-24), the variable domain of camelid heavy chain antibodies (VHH), the variable domain of the new antigen receptors (VNAR), affibodies (Nygren P.A. (2008) FEBS J. 275, 2668-2676), alphabodies (see WO2010066740), designed ankyrin-repeat domains (DARPins) (Stumpp et al (2008) Drug Discovery Today 13, 695-701), anticalins (Skerra et al (2008) FEBS J. 275, 2677-2683), knottins (Kolmar et al (2008) FEBS J. 275, 2684-2690) and engineered CH2 domains (nanoantibodies, see Dimitrov DS (2009) mAbs 1 , 26-28). In particular, the polypeptides or amino acid sequences as disclosed herein consist of a single polypeptide chain and are not post-translationally modified. More particularly, the polypeptides or amino acid sequences as disclosed are derived from an innate or adaptive immune system, preferably from a protein of an innate or adaptive immune system. Still more particularly, the polypeptides or amino acid sequences as disclosed herein are derived from an immunoglobulin. Most particularly, the polypeptides or amino acid sequences as disclosed herein comprise 4 framework regions and 3 complementary determining regions, or any suitable fragment thereof (which will then usually contain at least some of the amino acid residues that form at least one of the complementary determining regions). In particular, the polypeptides or amino acid sequences as disclosed herein are easy to produce at high yield, preferably in a microbial recombinant expression system, and convenient to isolate and/or purify subsequently. Particularly, the polypeptides or amino acid sequences as disclosed herein are selected from the group consisting of DARPins, knottins, alphabodies and VHH’S. More particularly, the polypeptides or amino acid sequences as disclosed herein are selected from the group consisting of alphabodies and VHH’S. Most particularly, the polypeptides or amino acid sequences as disclosed herein are VHH’S.

In particular, the at least one polypeptide comprised in the compositions disclosed herein may consist of a single polypeptide chain and is not post-translationally modified. More particularly, the at least one polypeptide comprised in the compositions disclosed herein may be derived from an innate or adaptive immune system, preferably from a protein of an innate or adaptive immune system. Still more particularly, the at least one polypeptide comprised in the compositions disclosed herein as disclosed herein may be derived from an immunoglobulin. Most particularly, the at least one polypeptide comprised in the compositions disclosed herein may comprise 4 framework regions and 3 complementary determining regions, or any suitable fragment thereof (which will then usually contain at least some of the amino acid residues that form at least one of the complementary determining regions). In particular, the at least one polypeptide comprised in the compositions disclosed herein are easy to produce at high yield, preferably in a microbial recombinant expression system, and convenient to isolate and/or purify subsequently.

According to particular embodiments, the invention provides a number of stretches of amino acid residues (i.e. small peptides) that are particularly suited for binding to a pest antigen or a pest target, such as but not limited to a fungal antigen or a fungal target.

These stretches of amino acid residues may be present in, and/or may be incorporated into, the polypeptides as disclosed herein, in particular in such a way that they form (part of) the antigen binding site of that polypeptide. As these stretches of amino acid residues were first generated as CDR sequences of antibodies, such as heavy chain antibodies, or of VH or VHH sequences that were raised against a pest target (or may be based on and/or derived from such CDR sequences, as further described herein), they will also generally be referred to herein as “CDR sequences” (i.e. as CDR1 sequences, CDR2 sequences and CDR3 sequences, respectively). It should however be noted that the invention in its broadest sense is not limited to a specific structural role or function that these stretches of amino acid residues may have in the polypeptides as disclosed herein, as long as these stretches of amino acid residues allow the polypeptides as disclosed herein to specifically bind to a pest target such as a fungal antigen or a fungal target. Thus, generally, the invention in its broadest sense relates to agrochemical compositions comprising a polypeptide that is capable of binding to a pest target, such as a fungal antigen or a fungal target, and that comprises a combination of CDR sequences as described herein.

Thus in particular, but non-limiting, embodiments, the polypeptides as disclosed herein may be polypeptides that comprise at least one amino acid sequence that is chosen from the group consisting of the CDR1 sequences, CDR2 sequences and CDR3 sequences that are described herein. In particular, a polypeptide as disclosed herein may comprise at least one antigen binding site, wherein said antigen binding site comprises at least one combination of a CDR1 sequence, a CDR2 sequence and a CDR3 sequence that are described herein.

Any polypeptide comprised in the agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein and having one of these CDR sequence combinations is preferably such that it can specifically bind (as defined herein) to a pest target or a pest antigen, and more in particular such that it specifically binds to a target of a plant pathogen, in particular with dissociation constant (Kd) of 10⁸ moles/liter or less of said polypeptide in solution.

Dissociation constants (Kd) can be estimated based on the results of an ELISA. In equilibrium analysis as in ELISA, the Kd can be calculated from the equilibrium binding response. Where the ELISA plate wells are coated with a target antigen, and where the target antigen may be a lipid-containing fraction of the membrane of Botrytis cinerea, such a method may further use a range of concentrations of a polypeptide binding the target antigen. Where the ELISA generally provides a quantitative adsorption measure for each polypeptide concentration representing binding of the polypeptide to the target antigen, the range of concentration of a polypeptide may for example be 0.5, 1 , 2.5, 5, and 10 pM. The most suitable range of concentrations used can vary depending on the affinity of the polypeptide to the target antigen. The corresponding absorption values as determined by ELISA may result in a sigmoid curve when absorption values are plotted against the logarithmic conversion of the polypeptide concentrations. This sigmoid curve may serve to define an IC50 value. Where this IC50 is the concentration of polypeptide where the corresponding absorption value is 50% of the saturated value as estimated by the maximum of the sigmoidal function, the Kd can be estimated by 1/Ka were the association constant (Ka) can be estimated as 1/IC50. Thus Kd corresponds to the analyte concentration that reaches equilibrium at 50% binding saturation. Commonly computation methods can be used for these calculations. For example, this can be done using GraphPad. In some embodiments, the Kd may be determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR).

The IC50 may be the IC50 for inhibition of spore germination and/or mycelial growth (i.e. the concentration (pM) that inhibits 50% of spore germination and/or mycelial growth) for example of Fusarium oxysporum and/or Botrytis cinerea. In some embodiments, the polypeptides have an IC50 of less than about 10pM, for example less than about 1 pM for inhibition of spore germination and/or mycelial growth.

The Kd may be the Kd for binding to the lipid-containing fraction, which may be obtained as described elsewhere herein (i.e. by chromatographic methods, and may be the lipid-containing fraction from a fungus such as Fusarium oxysporum or Botrytis cinerea). The Kd of the polypeptides may be less than about 10pM, for example less than about 1 pM. The Kd may be determined according to any suitable method. For example the Kd may be determined by bio-layer interferometry (BLI ), for example on Octet. The assay used to determine the Kd may be an ELISA assay.

Specific binding of a polypeptide to a pest target can be determined in any suitable manner known per se, including, for example biopanning, Scatchard analysis and/or competitive binding assays, such as radioimmunoassays (RIA), enzyme immunoassays (EIA) and sandwich competition assays, and the different variants thereof known in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, the polypeptide of between 80 and 200 amino acids, is obtained by affinity selection against a particular pest target molecule and said polypeptide has a high affinity for said pest target molecule: typically, the dissociation constant of the binding between the polypeptide and its pest target molecule is lower thanlO^-5 M, more preferably, the dissociation constant is lower than 10^-6 M, even more preferably, the dissociation constant is lower than 10^-7 M, most preferably, the dissociation constant is lower than 10^-8 M.

In particular embodiments, the at least one polypeptide comprised in the compositions disclosed herein has a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value for said plant pathogenic fungus of 1.0 pg/mL or less of said variable domain in solution.

Also disclosed herein are polypeptides of between 80 and 200 amino acids or a sub-range as disclosed herein before, obtained by affinity selection to a specific plant pest target, which is able to inhibit the growth and/or the activity of a crop pest at a minimum inhibitory concentration of from about 0.00001 to 1 pM. In specific embodiments the minimum inhibitory concentrations are between 0.0001 to 1 pM, between 0.001 to 1 pM, between 0.01 to 1 pM, between 0.1 to 1 pM, between 0.0001 to 0.1 pM, between 0.001 to 0.1 pM, between 0.01 to 0.1 pM, between 0.00001 to 0.01 pM, between 0.0001 to 0.01 pM, or between 0.001 to 0.01 pM. In other specific embodiments the minimum inhibitory concentrations are from about 0.0001 to about 1 pM, from about 0.001 to about 1 pM, from about 0.01 to about 1 pM, from about 0.1 to about 1 pM, from about 0.0001 to about 0.1 pM, from about 0.001 to about 0.1 pM, from about 0.01 to about 0.1 pM, from about 0.00001 to about 0.01 pM, from about 0.0001 to about 0.01 pM, or from about 0.001 to about 0.01 pM

The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration or the MIC value is the lowest concentration of an agent such as a polypeptide that inhibits the visible growth of the crop or plant pest after incubation. For example the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) is considered as the lowest concentration of polypeptide which prevents growth and reduces the fungal inoculum by at least 99.90% within 24 h. MFCs (Minimal Fungal Concentrations) can be determined on agar plates but can also be conveniently determined in fluids (e.g. in microwell plates) depending on the type of the fungus and the assay conditions.

In further particular embodiments, the compositions as disclosed herein at least comprise a polypeptide which: comprises a CDR1 region having the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region having the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4 (and which is capable of binding to a fungus); or comprises the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% sequence identify thereto (and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus).

In particular embodiments, the polypeptides in the compositions as disclosed herein are heavy chain variable domains that comprises, consist or essentially consist of four framework regions (FR1 to FR4 respectively) and three complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3 respectively); or any suitable fragment of such an heavy chain variable domain (which will then usually contain at least some of the amino acid residues that form at least one of the CDRs, as further described herein). The sequences of the framework regions may be variable, or they may be specified.

The polypeptides as disclosed herein may in particular be an antibody, such as for instance a heavy chain antibody. In further particular embodiments, the polypeptides as disclosed herein may be a heavy chain variable domain sequence of an antibody that is derived from a conventional four-chain antibody (such as, without limitation, a VH sequence that is derived from a human antibody) or be a so- called VHH-sequence (as defined herein) that is derived from a so-called “heavy chain antibody” (as defined herein). In particular embodiments, the compositions as disclosed herein, at least comprise a heavy chain variable domain sequence derived of an antibody or a functional fragment thereof, such as but not limited to a camelid heavy chain antibody or a functional fragment thereof, which variable domain sequence thus may be for instance a heavy chain variable domain of a camelid heavy chain antibody (VHH).

However, it should be noted that the invention is not limited as to the origin of the polypeptides comprised in the compositions disclosed herein (or of the nucleotide sequence of the invention used to express it), nor as to the way that the polypeptides or nucleotide sequences thereof is (or has been) generated or obtained. Thus, the polypeptides in the compositions disclosed herein may be naturally occurring polypeptides (from any suitable species) or synthetic or semi-synthetic polypeptides. In a specific but non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the polypeptide is a naturally occurring immunoglobulin sequence (from any suitable species) or a synthetic or semi-synthetic immunoglobulin sequence, including but not limited to “camelized” immunoglobulin sequences, as well as immunoglobulin sequences that have been obtained by techniques such as affinity maturation (for example, starting from synthetic, random or naturally occurring immunoglobulin sequences), CDR grafting, veneering, combining fragments derived from different immunoglobulin sequences, PCR assembly using overlapping primers, and similar techniques for engineering immunoglobulin sequences well known to the skilled person; or any suitable combination of any of the foregoing.

The polypeptide sequences of the compositions disclosed herein may in particular be a domain antibody (or an heavy chain variable domain that is suitable for use as a domain antibody), a single domain antibody (or an heavy chain variable domain that is suitable for use as a single domain antibody), or a "dAb" (or an heavy chain variable domain that is suitable for use as a dAb); other single variable domains, or any suitable fragment of any one thereof. For a general description of (single) domain antibodies, reference is also made to the prior art cited above, as well as to EP 0 368 684. For the term “dAb’s”, reference is for example made to Ward et al. (Nature 1989 Oct 12; 341 (6242): 544-6), to Holt et al., Trends Biotechnol., 2003, 21 (11):484-490; as well as to for example WO 06/030220, WO 06/003388 and other published patent applications of Domantis Ltd.

Thus, in particular embodiments, the present invention provides polypeptides with the (general) structure

FR1 - CDR1 - FR2 - CDR2 - FR3 - CDR3 - FR4 in which FR1 to FR4 refer to framework regions 1 to 4, respectively, and in which CDR1 to CDR3 refer to the complementarity determining regions 1 to 3, respectively, and are as further defined herein.

In particular, the invention in some specific embodiments provides agrochemical compositions comprising at least one polypeptide that is directed against a pest target, such as a fungal target, and that has at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, such as at least 90% or at least 95% or at least 98% sequence identity or more sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 , and nucleic acid sequences that encode such amino acid sequences.

Some particularly preferred polypeptide sequences as disclosed herein are those which can bind to and/or are directed against a pest, such as a fungus, and which have at least 90% (for example at least 95% or at least 97%) amino acid identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 wherein any variation in sequence compared to the reference sequence (i.e. the specified SEQ ID NO sequence) occurs only in the CDR regions. Some particularly preferred polypeptide sequences as disclosed herein are those which can bind to and/or are directed against a pest, such as a fungus, and which have at least 90% (for example at least 95% or at least 97%) amino acid identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 wherein any variation in sequence compared to the reference sequence (i.e. specified SEQ ID NO sequence) occurs only in the framework regions. In other embodiments, variations in the sequence compared to the reference sequence (i.e. the specified SEQ ID NO sequence) may occur in the CDR regions and/or the framework regions. In some embodiments, variations in the sequence compared to the reference sequence (i.e. the specified SEQ ID NO sequence) may occur in the CDR3 region.

Again, such polypeptides may be derived in any suitable manner and from any suitable source, and may for example be naturally occurring VHH sequences (i.e. from a suitable species of Camelid) or synthetic or semi-synthetic heavy chain variable domains, including but not limited to “camelized” immunoglobulin sequences (and in particular camelized heavy chain variable domain sequences), as well as those that have been obtained by techniques such as affinity maturation (for example, starting from synthetic, random or naturally occurring immunoglobulin sequences), CDR grafting, veneering, combining fragments derived from different immunoglobulin sequences, PCR assembly using overlapping primers, and similar techniques for engineering immunoglobulin sequences well known to the skilled person; or any suitable combination of any of the foregoing as further described herein.

It is understood that the agrochemical compositions or the biological control compositions as disclosed herein are stable, both during storage and during utilization, meaning that the integrity of the agrochemical composition is maintained under storage and/or utilization conditions of the agrochemical composition, which may include elevated temperatures, freeze-thaw cycles, changes in pH or in ionic strength, UV-irradiation, presence of harmful chemicals and the like. More preferably, the polypeptide of between 80 and 200 amino acids, and the various sub-ranges described herein, remain stable in the agrochemical composition, meaning that the integrity and the pesticidal activity of the polypeptide is maintained under storage and/or utilization conditions of the agrochemical composition, which may include elevated temperatures, freeze-thaw cycles, changes in pH or in ionic strength, UV-irradiation, presence of harmful chemicals and the like. Most preferably, said polypeptide of between 80 and 200 amino acids, and the various sub-ranges described herein, remain stable in the agrochemical composition when the agrochemical composition is stored at ambient temperature for a period of two years or when the agrochemical composition is stored at 54°C for a period of two weeks. Preferably, the agrochemical composition of the present invention retains at least about 70% activity, more preferably at least about 80% activity, most preferably at least about 90% activity or more. Optionally, the polypeptide may be comprised in a carrier, as defined, to protect the polypeptide from harmful effects caused by other components in the agrochemical composition or from harmful effects during storage or during application. Examples of suitable carriers include, but are not limited to alginates, gums, starch, p-cyclodextrins, celluloses, polyurea, polyurethane, polyester, microbial cells or clay.

The agrochemical composition may occur in any type of formulation, preferred formulations are powders, wettable powders, wettable granules, water dispersible granules, emulsions, emulsifiable concentrates, dusts, suspensions, suspension concentrates, suspoemulsions (mixtures of suspensions and emulsions), capsule suspensions, aqueous dispersions, oil dispersions, aerosols, pastes, foams, slurries or flowable concentrates.

The polypeptide of between 80 and 200 amino acids, and the various sub-ranges described herein before, may be the only active substance in the agrochemical or biological control composition according to the invention; however, it is also possible that the agrochemical composition comprises one or more additional agrochemicals, as defined, in addition to the polypeptide or amino acid sequence (or the at least one, at least two or at least three polypeptides or amino acid sequences as disclosed herein). Such additional agrochemicals or biological control compositions may have a different effect on plant pests as the polypeptide or amino acid sequence, they may have a synergistic effect with the polypeptide or amino acid sequence, or they may even modify the activity of the polypeptide or amino acid sequence on certain plants. Suitable additional agrochemicals can be herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, acaricides, bactericides, viricides, plant growth regulators, safeners and the like. Such agrochemicals may be chemicals or may be biological substances, for example a microbial. They include, but are not limited to glyphosate, paraquat, metolachlor, acetochlor, mesotrione, 2, 4-D, atrazine, glufosinate, sulfosate, fenoxaprop, pendimethalin, picloram, trifluralin, bromoxynil, clodinafop, fluroxypyr, nicosulfuron, bensulfuron, imazetapyr, dicamba, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, fipronil, chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalotrin, endosulfan, methamidophos, carbofuran, clothianidin, cypermethrin, abamectin, diflufenican, spinosad, indoxacarb, bifenthrin, tefluthrin, azoxystrobin, thiamethoxam, tebuconazole, mancozeb, cyazofamid, fluazinam, pyraclostrobin, epoxiconazole, chlorothalonil, copper fungicides (for example copper oxychloride, copper hydroxide), trifloxystrobin, prothioconazole, difenoconazole, carbendazim, propiconazole, thiophanate, sulphur, boscalid, tricyclazole, hexaconazole, metalaxyl, benomyl, kitazin, tebuconazole, tridemorph, propineb, streptomycin sulfate and oxytetracycline and other known agrochemicals or any suitable combination(s) thereof.

Suitable additional agrochemicals may be a biological substance, such as a microbial, for example a Pseudomonas strain, a Bacillus strain or a Streptomyces strain.

COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING VARIANTS OF POLYPEPTIDE SEQUENCES

In a certain aspects, the polypeptides comprised in the agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein may be optionally modified, for example to increase the amount of positive charge (that the polypeptide has). That is to say, the polypeptides may be modified, typically by way of one or more amino acid substitutions, so that the amount of positive charge of the polypeptide may be increased. Thus, an amino acid may thus be substituted with an amino acid which has an increased amount of positive charge (compared to the amino acid that it is substituting). More than one such substitutions may be made, for example two, three, four or five such substitutions. In some embodiments, up to one, up to two, up to three, up to four or up to five such substitutions may be made. Such substitutions may typically be made in a CDR region, for example a CDR1 region, a CDR2 region or a CDR3 region.

Other substitutions may also be made the polypeptides. For example, substitutions may be made that have no overall effect on the charge of the polypeptide. Advantageously, the substitutions do not decrease the overall charge of the polypeptide, as the present inventors have surprisingly found that a higher positive charge may be correlated with an improved anti-fungal effect.

Other substitutions are also contemplated. For example, the polypeptide may begin with either a D residue or a Q residue. The present inventors have surprisingly found that having a D residue at position 1 of the polypeptide (i.e. the first residue of the framework 1 region sequence) may improve the antifungal properties of the polypeptide, although a Q may also be used. Accordingly, for any specified polypeptide sequence disclosed herein (including the polypeptide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or variants thereof), the residue at position 1 may be a Q residue or, preferably for some embodiments, may be a D residue. . In some embodiments, the invention provides a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 , or an amino acid sequence having at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90% or at least about 95% or at least about 98% identity thereto. Any polypeptides having a specified % sequence identity to a given SEQ ID NO may have the same overall charge as the reference sequence, or may have a higher positive charge. Advantageously, any polypeptides having a specified % sequence identity to a given SEQ ID NO do not have a more negative charge than the reference sequence.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 , or an amino acid sequence having up to 1 , up to 2, up to 3, up to 4 or up to 5 amino acid substitutions thereto.

Any amino acid substitutions in the polypeptides may increase the overall charge of the polypeptide or may not change the overall charge of the polypeptide. In some embodiments, any amino acid substitutions do not decrease the overall charge of the polypeptide.

Any amino acid substitutions in the polypeptides may occur anywhere in the polypeptide sequence. Optionally, the amino acid substitutions may be limited to the CDR regions (and in such embodiments, the polypeptides retain the original framework region sequences), or may be limited to the CDR regions. In some embodiments, any substitutions or variation in the sequence may occur in the CDR regions or at any residue up to 2 amino acid residues either side of the CDR regions (as defined by the Kabat numbering system). In some embodiments, any substitutions or variation in the sequence may occur in the CDR regions or at any residue up to 1 amino acid residues either side of the CDR regions (as defined by the Kabat numbering system). In some embodiments, any substitutions or variation in the sequence may occur in the CDR regions or at the residue adjacent to the N terminus of the CDR3 region (as defined by the Kabat numbering system).

The present invention extends to additional mutant or variant forms of the disclosed polypeptide sequences, for example having additional substitutions or having different combinations of substitutions, or having substitutions as different locations in the polypeptide sequence. Suitably, any mutants or variants of the disclosed polypeptide sequences do not have a reduced positive charge compared to the reference sequence. In some cases, the mutants or variants of the disclosed polypeptide sequences may have an increased overall positive charge.

The overall charge of a polypeptide may be calculated before and after any substitutions or variations, wherein the charge of the polypeptide is calculated in aqueous solution at the same pH both before and after the introduction of the substitutions or variations in sequence.

The overall charge of a polypeptide can be calculated according to any suitable method known to the skilled person. For example, the charge may be calculated according to freely available online tools, such as the ExPASy - ProtParam (https://web.expasy.org/protparam/).

Preferably the charge of the polypeptide is calculated at pH 7. Generally, the polypeptide will have an overall positive charge (at pH 7). Substitutions or variations in the sequence will preferably not decrease the overall charge (at pH 7). In some embodiments, substitutions or variations in the sequence will increase the overall positive charge of the polypeptide (at pH 7).

The charge or overall charge of the polypeptide will influence the isoelectric point (pl) of the polypeptide. The isoelectric point of a polypeptide is the pH at which a molecule carries no net electrical charge. Generally, the polypeptides will have a pl greater than 7, indicating that at pH 7 they have an overall positive charge. Substitutions or variations in the sequence will preferably not decrease the pl. In some embodiments, substitutions or variations in the sequence will increase the pl.

The present invention also provides polypeptides (and compositions comprising polypeptides) having certain sequences allowing for mutations or substitutions at specific locations.

Any of the polypeptides disclosed here, including the variants thereof, may be comprised in a composition, for example an agrochemical composition.

Generally, although the present invention extends to variants of polypeptides, the polypeptides may retain their functional characteristics, or their functional characteristics may be improved. For example, the variants may be capable of (specifically) binding to a fungus. More specifically, the variants may be capable of (specifically) binding to a membrane of a fungus or a component of a membrane of a fugus. In some embodiments, the variants may not bind a cell wall or a component of a cell wall of a fungus. For example, in some embodiments, the variant polypeptide do not (specifically) bind to a glucosylceramide of a fungus.

The variants may be capable of binding to a lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus). Said lipid-containing fraction may be obtainable by chromatography. For example, said lipid-containing fraction may be obtainable by a method comprising: fractionating hyphae of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

The variants may also cause retardation of growth of a spore of a fungus and/or lysis of a spore of the said fungus. That is to say, binding of the variant polypeptide to a fungus results in retardation of growth of a spore of the said fungus and/or lysis of a spore of the said fungus.

In some embodiments, the variants may cause retardation of growth of a spore of a fungus and/or lysis of a spore of the said fungus with an IC50 equal to or less than the IC50 of the reference polypeptide, when measured under substantially the same conditions. The IC50 may be the concentration (pM) that inhibits 50% of spore germination and/or mycelial growth, for example of Fusarium oxysporum and/or Botrytis cinerea.

In some embodiments, the variants may (specifically) bind to a fungus (for example a membrane of a fungus or a component of a membrane of a fungus) with a KD that is equal to or less than the KD of the reference polypeptide, when measured under substantially the same conditions.

In some embodiments, the variants may (specifically) exhibit an MIC for fungal growth that is equal to or less than the MIC of the reference polypeptide, when measured under substantially the same conditions.

In a certain aspects, the polypeptides comprised in the agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein may be optionally linked to one or more further groups, moieties, or residues via one or more linkers. These one or more further groups, moieties or residues can serve for binding to other targets of interest. It should be clear that such further groups, residues, moieties and/or binding sites may or may not provide further functionality to the polypeptides as disclosed herein (and/or to the composition in which it is present) and may or may not modify the properties of the polypeptides as disclosed herein. Such groups, residues, moieties or binding units may also for example be chemical groups which can be biologically active. These groups, moieties or residues may be, in particular embodiments, linked N- or C-terminally to the polypeptides in the compositions as disclosed herein.

In particular embodiments, the polypeptides in the agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein may also have been chemically modified. For example, such a modification may involve the introduction or linkage of one or more functional groups, residues or moieties into or onto the heavy chain variable domain. These groups, residues or moieties may confer one or more desired properties or functionalities to the polypeptides. Examples of such functional groups will be clear to the skilled person.

For example, the introduction or linkage of such functional groups to a polypeptide can result in an increase in the solubility and/or the stability of the polypeptide, in a reduction of the toxicity of the polypeptide, or in the elimination or attenuation of any undesirable side effects of the polypeptide, and/or in other advantageous properties.

In particular embodiments, the one or more groups, residues, moieties are linked to the polypeptide via one or more suitable linkers or spacers.

In further particular embodiments, two or more target-specific polypeptides in the agrochemical compositions disclosed herein may be linked to each other or may be interconnected. In particular embodiments, the two or more polypeptides are linked to each other via one or more suitable linkers or spacers. Suitable spacers or linkers for use in the coupling of different heavy polypeptides as disclosed herein will be clear to the skilled person and may generally be any linker or spacer used in the art to link peptides and/or proteins.

Some particularly suitable linkers or spacers include for example, but are not limited to, polypeptide linkers such as glycine linkers, serine linkers, mixed glycine/serine linkers, glycine- and serine-rich linkers or linkers composed of largely polar polypeptide fragments, or homo- or heterobifunctional chemical crosslinking compounds such as glutaraldehyde or, optionally PEG-spaced, maleimides or NHS esters.

For example, a polypeptide linker or spacer may be a suitable amino acid sequence having a length from 1 to 50 amino acids, such as from 1 to 30, and in particular from 1 to 10 amino acid residues. It should be clear that the length, the degree of flexibility and/or other properties of the linker(s) may have some influence on the properties of the polypeptides, including but not limited to the affinity, specificity or avidity for the pest target. It should be clear that when two or more linkers are used, these linkers may be the same or different. In the context and disclosure of the present invention, the person skilled in the art will be able to determine the optimal linkers for the purpose of coupling heavy chain variable domains as disclosed herein without any undue experimental burden.

COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING FRAGMENTS OF POLYPEPTIDE SEQUENCES

The present invention also encompasses parts, fragments, analogs, mutants, variants, and/or derivatives of the polypeptides comprised in the compositions as disclosed herein and/or polypeptides comprising or essentially consisting of one or more of such parts, fragments, analogs, mutants, variants, and/or derivatives, as long as these parts, fragments, analogs, mutants, variants, and/or derivatives are suitable for the purposes envisaged herein. Such parts, fragments, analogs, mutants, variants, and/or derivatives according to the invention are still capable of specifically binding to the pest target, for example a fungus, such as a plant pathogenic fungus.

TARGETS In particular embodiments, the polypeptides comprised in the compositions disclosed herein are obtained by affinity selection against a particular pest target such as a fungal antigen or a fungal target. Obtaining suitable polypeptides by affinity selection against a particular pest target may for example be performed by screening a set, collection or library of cells that express polypeptides on their surface (e.g. bacteriophages) for binding against a pest target molecule, which molecule is known in the art to be a target for a pesticide; all of which may be performed in a manner known per se, essentially comprising the following non-limiting steps: a) obtaining an isolated solution or suspension of a pest target molecule, which molecule is known to be a target for a pesticide; b) bio-panning phages or other cells from a polypeptide library against said target molecule; c) isolating the phages or other cells binding to the target molecule; d) determining the nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide insert from individual binding phages or other cells; e) producing an amount of polypeptide according to this sequence using recombinant protein expression and f) determining the affinity of said polypeptide for said pest target and optionally g) testing the pesticidal activity of said polypeptide in a bio-assay for said pest. Various methods may be used to determine the affinity between the polypeptide and the pest target molecule, including for example, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) or Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) assays, which are common practice in the art, for example, as described in Sambrook et al. (2001), Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual. Third Edition. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY. The dissociation constant is commonly used to describe the affinity between a polypeptide and its pest target molecule. Typically, the dissociation constant of the binding between the polypeptide and its pest target molecule is lower thanlO^-5 M, more preferably, the dissociation constant is lower than 10⁶ M, even more preferably, the dissociation constant is lower than 10⁷ M, most preferably, the dissociation constant is lower than 10⁸ M.

Pest target molecules as disclosed herein are molecules occurring in or on pest organisms and which, when bound and/or inhibited, kill or arrest, inhibit or reduce the growth or pesticidal activity of said pest organism. Such suitable target molecules are readily available from existing literature or patent databases for the skilled person and include, without limitation secreted parasitism proteins such as 16D10 as suitable pest target molecules for root knot nematodes (Huang et al (2006) PNAS 103: 14302- 14306), the V-ATPase proton pump as suitable pest target molecule for coleopteran, hemipteran, dipteran insect species and nematodes (Knight AJ and Behm CA (2011) Ex. Parasitol. Sept 19), the tetraspanin PLS1 as suitable fungal pest target molecule for B. cinerea and M. grisea (Gourgues et al (2002) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 297: 1197) or the proton-pumping-ATPase as antifungal target (Manavathu EK et al (1999) Antimicrob Agents and Chemotherapy, Dec p. 2950). It is understood that preferred pest target molecules are accessible in the extra-cellular space (as opposed to intracellular pest targets).

More particularly, a pest target to which the at least one polypeptide of the agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein bind, may be a plasma membrane component of a pest. A plasma membrane component of a pest as used herein may be any component comprised in or being part of (i.e. at least a part of which is associated with, present in, connected to or bound to) the plasma membrane phospholipid bilayer or any of the proteins embedded therein of a cell of the pest. In particular embodiments, a plasma membrane component of a pest may be a phospholipid, a glycoprotein, a carbohydrate or cholesterol. In particular embodiments, the plasma membrane component of a pest to which the at least one polypeptide in the compositions disclosed herein specifically binds is not a protein.

Thus, in particular embodiments, the plasma membrane component of a pest to which the at least one polypeptide in the compositions disclosed herein specifically bind is a lipid, such as for instance a phospholipid, a carbohydrate or cholesterol.

In certain particular embodiments, the target to which the polypeptides in the agrochemical compositions of the present invention bind is not a cell wall component.

In certain specific embodiments, the target to which the polypeptides in the agrochemical compositions of the present invention bind is not chitin.

In a preferred embodiment, the plant pest(s) that is/are combated by the agrochemical composition or biological control composition as disclosed herein is a fungus, such as a plant pathogenic fungus, as defined before. Fungi can be highly detrimental for plants and can cause substantial harvest losses in crops. Plant pathogenic fungi include necrotrophic fungi and biotrophic fungi, and include ascomycetes, basidiomycetes and oomycetes.

Examples of plant pathogenic fungi are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, those selected from the group consisting of the Genera: Alternaria; Ascochyta; Botrytis; Cercospora; Colletotrichum; Diplodia; Erysiphe; Fusarium; Leptosphaeria; Gaeumanomyces; Helminthosporium; Macrophomina; Nectria; Oidium, Peronospora; Phakopsora; Phoma; Phymatotrichum; Phytophthora; Plasmopara; Podosphaera; Puccinia; Puthium; Pyrenophora; Pyricularia; Pythium; Rhizoctonia; Scerotium; Sclerotinia; Septoria; Thielaviopsis; Uncinula; Venturia; and Verticillium. Specific examples of plant fungi infections which may be combated with the agrochemical compositions of the invention include, powdery mildew and botrytis cinerea in fruit and vegetable crops such as grapes and strawberries. Additional specific examples of plant fungi infections which may be combated with the agrochemical compositions of the invention include Erysiphe graminis in cereals, Erysiphe cichoracearum and Sphaerotheca fuliginea in cucurbits, Podosphaera leucotricha in apples, Podosphaera aphanis, for example to treat powdery mildew, for example on strawberry, Podosphaera xanthii, for example to treat powdery mildew, for example on cucumber, Oidium neolycopersici, for example to treat powdery mildew, for example on tomatoes, Uncinula necator in vines, Puccinia sp. in cereals, Rhizoctonia sp. in cotton, potatoes, rice and lawns, Ustilago sp. in cereals and sugarcane, Venturia inaequalis (scab) in apples, Helminthosporium sp. in cereals, Septoria nodorum in wheat, Septoria tritici in wheat, Rhynchosporium secalis on barley, Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) in strawberries, tomatoes and grapes, Cercospora arachidicola in groundnuts, Peronospora tabacina in tobacco, or other Peronospora in various crops, Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides in wheat and barley, Pyrenophera teres in barley, Pyricularia oryzae in rice, Phytophthora infestans in potatoes and tomatoes, Fusarium sp. (such as Fusarium oxysporum) and Verticillium sp. in various plants, Plasmopara viticola in grapes, Alternaria sp. in fruit and vegetables, Pseudoperonospora cubensis in cucumbers, Mycosphaerella fijiensis in banana, Ascochyta sp. in chickpeas, Leptosphaeria sp. on canola, Phakopsora spp., such as Phakopsora pachyrhizi, and Colleotrichum sp. in various crops, for example Colletotrichum orbiculare which may cause anthracnose in squash. The compositions according to the invention are active against normally sensitive and resistant species and against all or some stages in the life cycle of the plant pathogenic fungus.

In particular embodiments, the agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein are directed against a plant pathogenic fungus from the genus chosen from the group comprising Alternaria, Ascochyta, Botrytis, Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Diplodia, Erysiphe, Fusarium, Leptosphaeria, Gaeumanomyces, Helminthosporium, Macrophomina, Nectria, Oidium, Penicillium, Peronospora, Phoma, Phymatotrichum, Phytophthora, Plasmopara, Podosphaera, Puccinia, Pyrenophora, Pyricularia, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Scerotium, Sclerotinia, Septoria, Thielaviopsis, Uncinula, Venturia, Verticillium, Magnaporthe, Blumeria, Mycosphaerella, Ustilago, Melampsora, Phakopsora, Monilinia, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Aspergillus.

In certain embodiements, the polypeptides disclosed herein are capable of binding to a plant pathogenic fungus from the genus of one or more or all of Botrytis, Colletotrichum and Alternaria.

In certain particular embodiments, the compositions as disclosed herein at least comprise a polypeptide, which specifically binds to a target of a fungus from the fungal species Botrytis, Fusarium or Penicillium, such as a plasma membrane component of a fungus.

In particular embodiments, the present invention provides agrochemical compositions comprising polypeptides that are specifically directed against a structural molecular component of the plasma cell membrane of a pest.

In particular embodiments, the present invention provides agrochemical compositions comprising polypeptides that are specifically directed against a structural molecular component of the plasma cell membrane of a pest, which is not a protein.

In yet another particular embodiment plant pests are plant pathogenic bacteria including, but not limited to, Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae (causing bacterial brown stripe of rice), Acidovorax avenae subsp. cattleyae (causing bacterial brown spot of cattleya), Acidovorax konjaci Konnyaku (causing bacterial leaf blight), Agrobacterium rhizogenes (causing hairy root of melon), Agrobacterium tumefaciens (causing crown gall), Burkholderia andropogonis (causing bacterial spot of carnation), Burkholderia caryophylli (causing bacterial wilt of carnation), Burkholderia cepacia (causing bacterial brown spot of cymbidium), Burkholderia gladioli pv. gladioli (causing neck rot of gladiolus), Burkholderia glumae (causing bacterial grain rot of rice), Burkholderia plantarii (causing bacterial seedling blight of rice), Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (causing bacterial canker of tomato), Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus (causing ring rot of potato), Clostridium spp. (causing slimy rot of potato), Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens (causing bacterial canker of onion), Erwinia amylovora (causing fire blight of pear), Erwinia ananas (causing bacterial palea browning of rice), Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica (causing black leg of potato), Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora (causing bacterial soft rot of vegetables), Erwinia chrysanthemi (causing bacterial seedling blight of taro), Erwinia chrysanthemi pv. zeae (causing bacterial foot rot of rice), Erwinia herbicola pv. millettiae (causing bacterial gall of wisteria), Pseudomonas cichorii (causing bacterial spot of chrysanthemum), Pseudomonas corrugate Pith (causing necrosis of tomato), Pseudomonas fuscovaginae (causing sheath brown rot of rice), Pseudomonas marginalis pv. marginalis (causing soft rot of cabbage) Pseudomonas rubrisubalbicans (causing mottled stripe of sugar cane), Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata (causing bacterial blight of sugar beet), Pseudomonas syringae pv. atropurpurea (causing halo blight of ryegrass), Pseudomonas syringae pv. castaneae (causing bacterial canker of chestnut), Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea (causing bacterial blight of soybean), Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans (causing bacterial spot of cucumber), Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola (causing bacterial black spot of cabbage), Pseudomonas syringae pv. mori (causing bacterial blight of mulberry), Pseudomonas syringae pv. morsprunorum (causing bacterial canker of plums), Pseudomonas syringae pv. oryzae (causing halo blight of rice), Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola (causing halo blight of kidney bean), Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi (causing bacterial blight of garden pea), Pseudomonas syringae pv. sesame (causing bacterial spot of sesame), Pseudomonas syringae pv. striafaciens (causing bacterial stripe blight of oats), Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (causing bacterial brown spot of small red bead), Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci (causing wild fire of tobacco), Pseudomonas syringae pv. theae (causing bacterial shoot blight of tea), Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (causing bacterial leaf spot of tomato), Pseudomonas viridiflava (causing bacterial brown spot of kidney bean), Ralstonia solanacearum (causing bacterial wilt), Rathayibacter rathayi (causing bacterial head blight of orchardgrass), Streptomyces scabies (causing common scab of potato), Streptomyces ipomoea (causing soil rot of sweet potato), Xanthomonas albilineans (causing white streak of sugar cane), Xanthomonas campestris pv. cerealis (causing bacterial streak of rye), Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (causing black rot), Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri (causing canker of citrus), Xanthomonas campestris pv. cucurbitae (causing bacterial brown spot of cucumber), Xanthomonas campestris pv. glycines (causing bacterial pastule of soybean), Xanthomonas campestris pv. incanae (causing black rot of stock), Xanthomonas campestris pv. (causing angular leaf spot of cotton malvacearum), Xanthomonas campestris pv. (causing bacterial canker of mango), Mangiferaeindicae Xanthomonas campestris pv. mellea (causing Wisconsin bacterial leaf spot of tobacco), Xanthomonas campestris pv. (causing bacterial spot of great nigromaculans burdock), Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli (causing bacterial pastule of kidney bean), Xanthomonas campestris pv. pisi (causing bacterial stem-rot of kidney bean), Xanthomonas campestris pv. pruni (causing bacterial shot hole of peach), Xanthomonas campestris pv. raphani (causing bacterial spot of Japanese radish), Xanthomonas campestris pv. ricini (causing bacterial spot of castor-oil plant), Xanthomonas campestris pv. theicola (causing canker of tea), Xanthomonas campestris pv. translucens (causing bacterial blight of orchardgrass), Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (causing bacterial spot of tomato), Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (causing bacterial leaf blight of rice).

In yet another embodiment the agrochemical formulations of the invention can also be used to combat plant pests such as insects, arachnids, helminths, viruses, nematodes and molluscs encountered in agriculture, in horticulture, in forests, in gardens and in leisure facilities. The compositions according to the invention are active against normally sensitive and resistant species and against all or some stages of development. These plant pests include: pests from the phylum: Arthropoda, in particular from the class of the arachnids, for example Acarus spp., Aceria sheldoni, Aculops spp., Aculus spp., Amblyomma spp., Amphitetranychus viennensis, Argas spp., Boophilus spp., Brevipalpus spp., Bryobia praetiosa, Centruroides spp., Chorioptes spp., Dermanyssus gallinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssius, Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermacentor spp., Eotetranychus spp., Epitrimerus pyri, Eutetranychus spp., Eriophyes spp., Halotydeus destructor, Hemitarsonemus spp., Hyalomma spp., Ixodes spp., Latrodectus spp., Loxosceles spp., Metatetranychus spp., Nuphersa spp., Oligonychus spp., Ornithodorus spp., Ornithonyssus spp., Panonychus spp., Phyllocoptruta oleivora, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Psoroptes spp., Rhipicephalus spp., Rhizoglyphus spp., Sarcoptes spp., Scorpio maurus, Stenotarsonemus spp., Tarsonemus spp., Tetranychus spp., Vaejovis spp., Vasates lycopersici.

Still other examples are from the order of the Anoplura (Phthiraptera), for example, Damalinia spp., Haematopinus spp., Linognathus spp., Pediculus spp., Ptirus pubis, Trichodectes spp.

Still other examples are from the order of the Chilopoda, for example, Geophilus spp., Scutigera spp. Still other examples are from the order of the Coleoptera, for example, Acalymma vittatum, Acanthoscelides obtectus, Adoretus spp., Agelastica alni, Agriotes spp., Alphitobius diaperinus, Amphimallon solstitialis, Anobium punctatum, Anoplophora spp., Anthonomus spp., Anthrenus spp., Apion spp., Apogonia spp., Atomaria spp., Attagenus spp., Bruchidius obtectus, Bruchus spp., Cassida spp., Cerotoma trifurcata, Ceutorrhynchus spp., Chaetocnema spp., Cleonus mendicus, Conoderus spp., Cosmopolites spp., Costelytra zealandica, Ctenicera spp., Curculio spp., Cryptorhynchus lapathi, Cylindrocopturus spp., Dermestes spp., Diabrotica spp., Dichocrocis spp., Diloboderus spp., Epilachna spp., Epitrix spp., Faustinas spp., Gibbium psylloides, Hellula undalis, Heteronychus arator, Heteronyx spp., Hylamorpha elegans, Hylotrupes bajulus, Hypera postica, Hypothenemus spp., Lachnosterna consanguinea, Lerna spp., Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Leucoptera spp., Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, Lixus spp., Luperodes spp., Lyctus spp., Megascelis spp., Melanotus spp., Meligethes aeneus, Melolontha spp., Migdolus spp., Monochamus spp., Naupactus xanthographus, Niptus hololeucus, Oryctes rhinoceros, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Oryzaphagus oryzae, Otiorrhynchus spp., Oxycetonia jucunda, Phaedon cochleariae, Phyllophaga spp., Phyllotreta spp., Popillia japonica, Premnotrypes spp., Prostephanus truncatus, Psylliodes spp., Ptinus spp., Rhizobius ventralis, Rhizopertha dominica, Sitophilus spp., Sphenophorus spp., Stegobium paniceum, Sternechus spp., Symphyletes spp., Tanymecus spp., Tenebrio molitor, Tribolium spp., Trogoderma spp., Tychius spp., Xylotrechus spp., Zabrus spp.

Still other examples are from the order of the Collembola, for example, Onychiurus armatus.

Still other examples are from the order of the Diplopoda, for example, Blaniulus guttulatus.

Still other examples are from the order of the Diptera, for example, Aedes spp., Agromyza spp., Anastrepha spp., Anopheles spp., Asphondylia spp., Bactrocera spp., Bibio hortulanus, Calliphora erythrocephala, Ceratitis capitata, Chironomus spp., Chrysomyia spp., Chrysops spp., Cochliomyia spp., Contarinia spp., Cordylobia anthropophaga, Culex spp., Culicoides spp., Culiseta spp., Cuterebra spp., Dacus oleae, Dasyneura spp., Delia spp., Dermatobia hominis, Drosophila spp., Echinocnemus spp., Fannia spp., Gasterophilus spp., Glossina spp., Haematopota spp., Hydrellia spp., Hylemyia spp., Hyppobosca spp., Hypoderma spp., Liriomyza spp., Lucilia spp., Lutzomia spp., Mansonia spp., Musca spp., Nezara spp., Oestrus spp., Oscinella frit, Pegomyia spp., Phlebotomus spp., Phorbia spp., Phormia spp., Prodiplosis spp., Psila rosae, Rhagoletis spp., Sarcophaga spp., Simulium spp., Stomoxys spp., Tabanus spp., Tannia spp., Tetanops spp., Tipula spp.

Still other examples are from the order of the Heteroptera, for example, Anasa tristis, Antestiopsis spp., Boisea spp., Blissus spp., Calocoris spp., Campylomma livida, Cavelerius spp., Cimex spp., Collaria spp., Creontiades dilutus, Dasynus piperis, Dichelops furcatus, Diconocoris hewetti, Dysdercus spp., Euschistus spp., Eurygaster spp., Heliopeltis spp., Horcias nobilellus, Leptocorisa spp., Leptoglossus phyllopus, Lygus spp., Macropes excavatus, Miridae, Monalonion atratum, Nezara spp., Oebalus spp., Pentomidae, Piesma quadrata, Piezodorus spp., Psallus spp., Pseudacysta persea, Rhodnius spp., Sahlbergella singulars, Scaptocoris castanea, Scotinophora spp., Stephanitis nashi, Tibraca spp., Triatoma spp.

Still other examples are from the order of the Homoptera, for example, Acyrthosipon spp., Acrogonia spp., Aeneolamia spp., Agonoscena spp., Aleurodes spp., Aleurolobus barodensis, Aleurothrixus spp., Amrasca spp., Anuraphis cardui, Aonidiella spp., Aphanostigma pin, Aphis spp., Arboridia apicalis, Aspidiella spp., Aspidiotus spp., Atanus spp., Aulacorthum solani, Bemisia spp., Brachycaudus helichrysii, Brachycolus spp., Brevicoryne brassicae, Calligypona marginata, Carneocephala fulgida, Ceratovacuna lanigera, Cercopidae, Ceroplastes spp., Chaetosiphon fragaefolii, Chionaspis tegalensis, Chlorita onukii, Chromaphis juglandicola, Chrysomphalus ficus, Cicadulina mbila, Coccomytilus halli, Coccus spp., Cryptomyzus ribis, Dalbulus spp., Dialeurodes spp., Diaphorina spp., Diaspis spp., Drosicha spp., Dysaphis spp., Dysmicoccus spp., Empoasca spp., Eriosoma spp., Erythroneura spp., Euscelis bilobatus, Ferrisia spp., Geococcus coffeae, Hieroglyphus spp., Homalodisca coagulata, Hyalopterus arundinis, Icerya spp., Idiocerus spp., Idioscopus spp., Laodelphax striatellus, Lecanium spp., Lepidosaphes spp., Lipaphis erysimi, Macrosiphum spp., Mahanarva spp., Melanaphis sacchari, Metcalfiella spp., Metopolophium dirhodum, Monellia costalis, Monelliopsis pecanis, Myzus spp., Nasonovia ribisnigri, Nephotettix spp., Nilaparvata lugens, Oncometopia spp., Orthezia praelonga, Parabemisia myricae, Paratrioza spp., Parlatoria spp., Pemphigus spp., Peregrinus maidis, Phenacoccus spp., Phloeomyzus passerinii, Phorodon humuli, Phylloxera spp., Pinnaspis aspidistrae, Pianococcus spp., Protopulvinaria pyriformis, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona, Pseudococcus spp., Psylla spp., Pteromalus spp., Pyrilla spp., Quadraspidiotus spp., Quesada gigas, Rastrococcus spp., Rhopalosiphum spp., Saissetia spp., Scaphoides titanus, Schizaphis graminum, Selenaspidus articulatus, Sogata spp., Sogatella furcifera, Sogatodes spp., Stictocephala festina, Tenalaphara malayensis, Tinocallis caryaefoliae, Tomaspis spp., Toxoptera spp., Trialeurodes spp., Trioza spp., Typhlocyba spp., Unaspis spp., Viteus vitifolii, Zygina spp.

Still other examples are from the order of the Hymenoptera, for example, Acromyrmex spp., Athalia spp., Atta spp., Diprion spp., Hoplocampa spp., Lasius spp., Monomorium pharaonis, Solenopsis invicta, Tapinoma spp., Vespa spp.

Still other examples are from the order of the Isopoda, for example, Armadillidium vulgare, Oniscus asellus, Porcellio scaber.

Still other examples are from the order of the Isoptera, for example, Coptotermes spp., Cornitermes cumulans, Cryptotermes spp., Incisitermes spp., Microtermes obesi, Odontotermes spp., Reticulitermes spp.

Still other examples are from the order of the Lepidoptera, for example, Acronicta major, Adoxophyes spp., Aedia leucomelas, Agrotis spp., Alabama spp., Amyelois transitella, Anarsia spp., Anticarsia spp., Argyroploce spp., Barathra brassicae, Borbo cinnara, Bucculatrix thurberiella, Bupalus piniarius, Busseola spp., Cacoecia spp., Caloptilia theivora, Capua reticulana, Carpocapsa pomonella, Carposina niponensis, Chematobia brumata, Chilo spp., Choristoneura spp., Clysia ambiguella, Cnaphalocerus spp., Cnephasia spp., Conopomorpha spp., Conotrachelus spp., Copitarsia spp., Cydia spp., Dalaca noctuides, Diaphania spp., Diatraea saccharalis, Earias spp., Ecdytolopha aurantium, Elasmopalpus lignosellus, Eldana saccharina, Ephestia spp., Epinotia spp., Epiphyas postvittana, Etiella spp., Eulia spp., Eupoecilia ambiguella, Euproctis spp., Euxoa spp., Feltia spp., Galleria mellonella, Gracillaria spp., Grapholitha spp., Hedylepta spp., Helicoverpa spp., Heliothis spp., Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Homoeosoma spp., Homona spp., Hyponomeuta padella, Kakivoria flavofasciata, Laphygma spp., Laspeyresia molesta, Leucinodes orbonalis, Leucoptera spp., Lithocolletis spp., Lithophane antennata, Lobesia spp., Loxagrotis albicosta, Lymantria spp., Lyonetia spp., Malacosoma neustria, Maruca testulalis, Mamestra brassicae, Mocis spp., Mythimna separata, Nymphula spp., Oiketicus spp., Oria spp., Orthaga spp., Ostrinia spp., Oulema oryzae, Panolis flammea, Parnara spp., Pectinophora spp., Perileucoptera spp., Phthorimaea spp., Phyllocnistis citrella, Phyllonorycter spp., Pieris spp., Platynota stultana, Plodia interpunctella, Plusia spp., Plutella xylostella, Prays spp., Prodenia spp., Protoparce spp., Pseudaletia spp., Pseudoplusia includens, Pyrausta nubilalis, Rachiplusia nu, Schoenobius spp., Scirpophaga spp., Scotia segetum, Sesamia spp., Sparganothis spp., Spodoptera spp., Stathmopoda spp., Stomopteryx subsecivella, Synanthedon spp., Tecia solanivora, Thermesia gemmatalis, Tinea pellionella, Tineola bisselliella, Tortrix spp., Trichophaga tapetzella, Trichoplusia spp., Tuta absoluta, Virachola spp.

Still other examples are from the order of the Orthoptera, for example, Acheta domesticus, Blatta orientalis, Blattella germanica, Dichroplus spp., Gryllotalpa spp., Leucophaea maderae, Locusta spp., Melanoplus spp., Periplaneta spp., Pulex irritans, Schistocerca gregaria, Supella longipalpa.

Still other examples are from the order of the Siphonaptera, for example, Ceratophyllus spp., Ctenocephalides spp., Tunga penetrans, Xenopsylla cheopis.

Still other examples are from the order of the Symphyla, for example, Scutigerella spp.

Still other examples are from the order of the Thysanoptera, for example, Anaphothrips obscurus, Baliothrips biformis, Drepanothris reuteri, Enneothrips flavens, Frankliniella spp., Heliothrips spp., Hercinothrips femoralis, Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus, Scirtothrips spp., Taeniothrips cardamoni, Thrips spp.

Still other examples are from the order of the Zygentoma (=Thysanura), for example, Lepisma saccharina, Thermobia domestica. for example Lepisma saccharina, Thermobia domestica.

In another embodiment pests of the phylum Mollusca, in particular from the class of the Bivalvia, for example Dreissena spp. are also important plant pests.

In another embodiment pests of the class of the Gastropoda are important plant pests, for example, Anion spp., Biomphalaria spp., Bulinus spp., Deroceras spp., Galba spp., Lymnaea spp., Oncomelania spp., Pomacea spp., Succinea spp.

In yet another embodiment plant pests are from the phylum Nematoda are important plant pests, i.e. phytoparasitic nematodes, thus meaning plant parasitic nematodes that cause damage to plants. Plant nematodes encompass plant parasitic nematodes and nematodes living in the soil. Plant parasitic nematodes include, but are not limited to, ectoparasites such as Xiphinema spp., Longidorus spp., and Trichodorus spp.; semiparasites such as Tylenchulus spp.; migratory endoparasites such as Pratylenchus spp., Radopholus spp., and Scutellonerna. spp.; sedentary parasites such as Heterodera spp., Globodera spp., and Meloidogyne spp., and stem and leaf endoparasites such as Ditylenchus spp., Aphelenchoides spp., and Hirshmaniella spp. In addition, harmful root parasitic soil nematodes are cyst-forming nematodes of the genera Heterodera or Globodera, and/or root knot nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne. Harmful species of these genera are for example Meloidogyne incognata, Heterodera glycines (soybean cyst nematode), Globodera pallida and Globodera rostochiensis (potato cyst nematode). Still other important genera of importance as plant pests comprise Rotylenchulus spp., Paratriclodorus spp., Pratylenchus penetrans, Radolophus simuli, Ditylenchus dispaci, Tylenchulus semipenetrans, Xiphinema spp., Bursaphelenchus spp., and the like, in particular Aphelenchoides spp., Bursaphelenchus spp., Ditylenchus spp., Globodera spp., Heterodera spp., Longidorus spp., Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchus spp., Radopholus similis, Trichodorus spp., Tylenchulus semipenetrans, Xiphinema spp.

In yet another embodiment plant pests are viruses and the agrochemical formulations of the invention are directed to treating a viral infection or inhibiting viral infectivity in a plant, the plant virus is selected from an alfamovirus, an allexivirus, an alphacryptovirus, an anulavirus, an apscaviroid, an aureusvirus, an avenavirus, an aysunviroid, a badnavirus, a begomovirus, a benyvirus, a betacryptovirus, a betaflexiviridae, a bromovirus, a bymovirus, a capillovirus, a carlavirus, a carmovirus, a caulimovirus, a cavemovirus, a cheravirus, a closterovirus, a cocadviroid, a coleviroid, a comovirus, a crinivirus, a cucumovirus, a curtovirus, a cytorhabdovirus, a dianthovirus, an enamovirus, an umbravirus & B-type satellite virus, a fabavirus, a fijivirus, a furovirus, a hordeivirus, a hostuviroid, an idaeovirus, an ilarvirus, an ipomovirus, a luteovirus, a machlomovirus, a macluravirus, a marafivirus, a mastrevirus, a nanovirus, a necrovirus, a nepovirus, a nucleorhabdovirus, an oleavirus, an ophiovirus, an oryzavirus, a panicovirus, a pecluvirus, a petuvirus, a phytoreovirus, a polerovirus, a pomovirus, a pospiviroid, a potexvirus, a potyvirus, a reovirus, a rhabdovirus, a rymovirus, a sadwavirus, a SbCMV-like virus, a sequivirus, a sobemovirus, a tenuivirus, a TNsatV-like satellite virus, a tobamovirus, a topocuvirus, a tospovirus, a trichovirus, a tritimovirus, a tungrovirus, a tymovirus, an umbravirus, a varicosavirus, a vitivirus, or a waikavirus.

FORMS OF TARGET ANTIGEN

It will be appreciated based on the disclosure herein that for agrochemical and biological control applications, the polypeptides of the compositions as disclosed herein may be directed against or specifically bind to several different forms of the pest target, for example a fungal target. It is also expected that the polypeptides of the compositions as disclosed herein will bind to a number of naturally occurring or synthetic analogs, variants, mutants, alleles, parts and fragments of their pest target. More particularly, it is expected that the polypeptides of the compositions as disclosed herein will bind to at least to those analogs, variants, mutants, alleles, parts and fragments of the target that (still) contain the binding site, part or domain of the natural target to which those polypeptides bind.

FORMULATIONS

It is envisaged that the polypeptide content contained in the agrochemical or biological control composition as disclosed herein may vary within a wide range and it is generally up to the manufacturer to modify the concentration range of a particular polypeptide according to specific crop pest which is to be attenuated.

In particular embodiments, the present invention provides agrochemical compositions comprising at least one polypeptide, wherein said heavy chain variable domain is present in an amount effective to protect or treat a plant or a part of said plant from an infection or other biological interaction with said plant pathogen.

In a specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be at least 0.0001% by weight.

In a specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be up to 50% by weight.

In a specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.0001% to 50% by weight.

In particular embodiments, the present invention provides agrochemical compositions comprising at least one polypeptide, wherein the concentration of the at least one polypeptide in the agrochemical composition ranges from 0.001% to 50% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.001% to 50% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.01% to 50% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.1% to 50% by weight.

In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 1% to 50% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 10% to 50% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.0001% to 40% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.001% to 40% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.01% to 40% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.1% to 40% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 1% to 40% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.0001% to 30% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.001% to 30% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.01% to 30% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.1% to 30% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 1% to 30% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.0001% to 10% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.001% to 10% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.01% to 10% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.1% to 10% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 1% to 10% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.0001% to 1% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.001% to 1% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.01% to 1% by weight. In yet another specific embodiment the concentration of the polypeptide contained in the agrochemical composition may be from 0.1% to 1 % by weight.

In particular embodiments, the agrochemical compositions disclosed herein comprise at least one polypeptide, which is formulated in an aqueous solution.

In further particular embodiments, the agrochemical compositions disclosed herein comprise at least one polypeptide and further comprise an agrochemically suitable carrier and/or one or more suitable adjuvants. The compositions according to the invention may comprise, in addition to the anti-pest polypeptide described above, solid or liquid carriers which are acceptable in the pest treatment of plants and/or parts of plants and/or surfactants which are also acceptable in the pest treatment of plants and/or parts of plants. In particular, there may be used inert and customary carriers and customary surfactants. These compositions cover not only compositions ready to be applied to the plants and/or parts of plants to be treated by immersion or using a suitable device, but also the commercial concentrated compositions which have to be diluted before application to the plants and/or parts of plants.

These agrochemical compositions according to the invention may also contain any sort of other ingredients such as, for example, protective colloids, adhesives, thickeners, thixotropic agents, penetrating agents, stabilizers, sequestrants, texturing agents, flavouring agents, taste enhancers, sugars, sweeteners, colorants and the like. More generally, the active substances, i.e. the at least one heavy chain variable domain, may be combined with any solid or liquid additives corresponding to the usual formulation techniques.

These agrochemical compositions according to the invention may also contain any sort of other active ingredient such as, for example, other anti-bacterial or anti-fungal active ingredients.

The term “carrier”, in the present disclosure, denotes a natural or synthetic organic or inorganic substance with which the anti-pest active substance is combined to facilitate its application to plants and/or one or more plant parts. This carrier is therefore generally inert and should be acceptable in the agri-sector. The carrier may be solid (clays, natural or synthetic silicates, silica, resins, waxes, solid fertilizers, and the like) or liquid (water, alcohols, in particular butanol, and the like).

The surfactant may be an emulsifying agent, a dispersing agent or a wetting agent of the ionic or nonionic type or a mixture of such surfactants. There may be mentioned, for example, salts of polyacrylic acids, salts of lignosulphonic acids, salts of phenolsulphonic or naphthalenesulphonic acids, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or with fatty acids or with fatty amines, substituted phenols (in particular alkylphenols or arylphenols), salts of esters of sulphosuccinic acids, derivatives of taurine (in particular alkyl taurates), phosphoric esters of polyoxyethylated phenols or alcohols, esters of fatty acids and polyols, sulphate, sulphonate and phosphate functional group-containing derivatives of the above compounds. The presence of at least one surfactant is generally essential when the inert carrier is not soluble in water and when the vector agent for application is water.

The agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein are themselves in fairly diverse, solid or liquid, forms.

As solid composition forms, there may be mentioned dustable powders (content of active substance which may be up to 100%) and granules, in particular those obtained by extrusion, by compacting, by impregnation of a granulated carrier, by granulation using a powder as starting material (the content of active substance in these granules being between 0.5 and 80% for these latter cases). Such solid compositions may be optionally used in the form of a liquid which is viscous to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the type of application desired, for example by diluting in water.

As liquid composition forms or forms intended to constitute liquid compositions during application, there may be mentioned solutions, in particular water-soluble concentrates, emulsions, suspension concentrates, wettable powders (or spraying powder), oils and waxes.

The suspension concentrates, which can be applied by spraying, are prepared so as to obtain a stable fluid product which does not form a deposit and they usually contain from 10 to 75% of active substance, from 0.5 to 15% of surfactants, from 0.1 to 10% of thixotropic agents, from 0 to 10% of appropriate additives, such as antifoams, corrosion inhibitors, stabilizers, penetrating agents and adhesives and, as carrier, water or an organic liquid in which the active substance is not or not very soluble: some organic solids or inorganic salts may be dissolved in the carrier to help prevent sedimentation or as antigels for water.

The agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein can be used as such, in form of their formulations or as the use forms prepared therefrom, such as aerosol dispenser, capsule suspension, cold fogging concentrate, hot fogging concentrate, encapsulated granule, fine granule, flowable concentrate for seed treatment, ready-to-use solutions, dustable powder, emulsifiable concentrate, emulsion oil in water, emulsion water in oil, macrogranule, macrogranule, oil dispersible powder, oil miscible flowable concentrate, oil miscible liquid, froths, paste, seed coated with a pesticide, suspension concentrate (flowable concentrate), suspensions-emulsions-concentrates, soluble concentrate, suspensions, soluble powder, granule, water soluble granules or tablets, water soluble powder for seed treatment, wettable powder, natural and synthetic materials impregnated with active compound, microencapsulation in polymeric materials and in jackets for seed, microencapsulation biological particles, for example those described in WO2018/201160, WO2018/201161 and WO2019/060903, as well as ULV- cold and hot fogging formulations, gas (under pressure), gas generating product, plant rodlet, powder for dry seed treatment, solution for seed treatment, ultra-low volume (ULV) liquid, ultra-low volume (ULV) suspension, water dispersible granules or tablets, water dispersible powder for slurry treatment.

These formulations are prepared in a known manner by mixing the active compounds or active compound combinations with customary additives, such as, for example, customary extenders and also solvents or diluents, emulsifiers, dispersants, and/or bonding or fixing agent, wetting agents, water repellents, if appropriate siccatives and UV stabilisers, colorants, pigments, defoamers, preservatives, secondary thickeners, adhesives, gibberellins and water as well further processing auxiliaries.

These compositions include not only compositions which are ready to be applied to the plant or seed to be treated by means of a suitable device, such as a spraying or dusting device, but also concentrated commercial compositions which must be diluted before application to the crop.

METHODS OF PLANT PROTECTION OR TREATMENT

In certain aspects, the present invention provides methods for protecting or treating a plant or a part of a plant from an infection or other biological interaction with a plant pathogen, at least comprising the step of applying directly or indirectly to the plant or to a part of the plant, an agrochemical composition or polypeptide as disclosed herein. The composition or polypeptide may be applied under conditions effective to protect or treat the plant or a part of the plant against that infection or biological interaction with the plant pathogen.

In particular embodiments, these methods comprise applying directly or indirectly to the plant or to a part of the plant an agrochemical composition as disclosed herein for example at an application rate higher than 50g of the agrochemical composition per hectare, such as but not limited to an application rate higher than 75g of the agrochemical composition per hectare, such as an application rate higher than 100g of the agrochemical composition per hectare, or in particular an application rate higher than 200g of the agrochemical composition per hectare. In particular embodiments, these methods comprise applying directly or indirectly to the plant or to a part of the plant an agrochemical composition as disclosed herein for example at an application rate between 50g and 200g of the agrochemical composition per hectare, such as but not limited to an application rate of between 50g and 200g of the agrochemical composition per hectare, in particular an application rate of between 75g and 175g of the agrochemical composition per hectare, such as between 75g and 150g of the agrochemical composition per hectare or between 75g and 125g per hectare.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides methods for combating or inhibiting plant pests, which methods comprise applying an agrochemical or biological control composition according to the invention to a plant, such as a crop, or a part of a plant or a crop, for example at an application rate below 50g of said polypeptide per hectare. In specific embodiments the application rate is below 45 g/ha, below 40 g/ha, below 35 g/ha, below 30 g/ha, below 25 g/ha, below 20 g/ha, below 15 g/ha, below 10 g/ha, below 5 g/ha, below 1 g/ha or even lower amounts of polypeptide/ha.

It is understood depending on the crop and the environmental pressure of the plant pests that the farmer can vary the application rate. These application rates variances are specified in the technical sheet delivered with the specific agrochemical composition.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides the use of the agrochemical or biological control compositions of the invention in combating or inhibiting plant pests.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides the use of the polypeptides of the invention in combating or inhibiting plant pests.

Applying an agrochemical or biological control composition or polypeptide according to the invention to a crop may be done using any suitable method for applying an agrochemical or biological control composition to a crop, including, but not limited to spraying (including high volume (HV), low volume (LV) and ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying), brushing, dressing, dripping, coating, dipping, immersing, spreading, fogging, applying as small droplets, a mist or an aerosol.

Thus, in particular embodiments, the methods for protecting or treating a plant or a part of a plant from an infection or other biological interaction with a plant pathogen as disclosed herein, comprise applying the agrochemical composition directly or indirectly to the plant or to a part of the plant for example by spraying, atomizing, foaming, fogging, culturing in hydroculture, culturing in hydroponics, coating, submerging, and/or encrusting.

In certain particular embodiments, the present invention provides methods of inhibiting, preventing, reducing or controlling the growth of a plant pathogen, comprising at least the step of applying directly or indirectly to a plant or to a part of said plant, an agrochemical composition as disclosed herein.

In certain other embodiments, the present invention provides methods for of killing a plant pathogen, comprising at least the step of applying directly or indirectly to a plant or to a part of said plant, an agrochemical composition or polypeptide as disclosed herein.

Alternatively, the application rate of the agrochemical composition according to the invention, meaning the amount of the agrochemical composition that is applied to the crop, is such that less than 50g, 45 g, 40 g, 35 g, 30 g, 25 g, 20 g, 20 g, 15 g, 10 g, 5 g, 1 g or even lower than 1 g of the polypeptide, comprised in the agrochemical or biological control composition according to the invention, is applied to the crop per hectare.

According to the methods as disclosed herein, the agrochemical or biological control composition can be applied once to a crop, or it can be applied two or more times after each other with an interval between every two applications. According to the method of the present invention, the agrochemical or biological control composition according to the invention can be applied alone or in mixture with other materials, preferably other agrochemical or biological control compositions, to the crop; alternatively, the agrochemical or biological control composition according to the invention can be applied separately to the crop with other materials, preferably other agrochemical or biological control compositions, applied at different times to the same crop. According to the method of the present invention, the agrochemical or biological control composition according to the invention may be applied to the crop prophylactically, or alternatively, may be applied once target pests have been identified on the particular crop to be treated.

The agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein can be applied directly to a plant, a crop or to one or more parts of the plant by the above mentioned methods, such as directly to the entire plant or directly to one or more parts of the plant, either in a pre-harvest or in a post-harvest stage. Pre-harvest application may have an effect post-harvest. In certain further embodiments, the agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein can be applied directly to one or more parts of the plant by the above mentioned methods, such as directly to the stalks, leaves, tubers, stems, shoots, the seeds, the fruits, the roots, the flowers, grains, the buds etc. .

The method of treatment as disclosed herein can also be used in the field of protecting storage goods against attack of plant pathogens. In this method of treatment, application of a composition of the invention may be pre-harvest or post-harvest. According to the present invention, the term "storage goods" is understood to denote natural substances of vegetable or animal origin and their processed forms, which have been taken from the natural life cycle and for which long-term protection is desired. Storage goods of vegetable origin, such as plants or parts thereof, for example stalks, leaves, tubers, seeds, fruits or grains, can be protected in the freshly harvested state or in processed form, such as predried, moistened, comminuted, ground, pressed or roasted. Also falling under the definition of storage goods is timber, whether in the form of crude timber, such as construction timber, electricity pylons and barriers, or in the form of finished articles, such as furniture or objects made from wood. Storage goods of animal origin are hides, leather, furs, hairs and the like. The combinations according the present invention can prevent disadvantageous effects such as decay, discoloration or mold. Preferably "storage goods" is understood to denote natural substances of vegetable origin and their processed forms, more preferably fruits and their processed forms, such as pomes, stone fruits, soft fruits and citrus fruits and their processed forms.

The agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein can also be applied indirectly to a plant, a crop or to one or more parts of the plant by the above mentioned methods, such as indirectly to the entire plant or indirectly to one or more parts of the plant, either in a pre-harvest or in a post-harvest stage. The agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein can be applied close to harvest, such as about three weeks pre-harvest, for example two weeks pre-harvest or one week prior to harvest or less than one week pre-harvest. Pre-harvest application may have an effect post-harvest. Thus, in certain embodiments, the agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein can be applied indirectly to a plant, a crop or to one or more parts of the plant by the above mentioned methods, such as by applying the agrochemical composition to the surroundings or to the medium in which the plant or the one or more parts of the plant are growing or are stored, such as for instance but not limited to the air, the soil, the hydroponic culture, the hydroculture, or the liquid medium, such as for instance the aqueous liquid medium or water, in which the plant or the one or more parts of the plant are growing or are stored. The agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein can be applied directly as a component of an integrated pest management approach.

It thus should be generally understood in the context of this application that the treatment of plants and plant parts with the agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein is carried out directly or by action on their environment, habitat or storage area by means of the normal treatment methods, for example by watering (drenching), drip irrigation, spraying, vaporizing, atomizing, broadcasting, dusting, foaming, spreading-on, and as a powder. It is furthermore possible to apply the compositions by the ultra-low volume method, or to inject the active compound preparation or the active compound itself into the soil.

In particular embodiments, the methods for protecting or treating a plant or a part of a plant from an infection or other biological interaction with a plant pathogen as disclosed herein, comprise applying the agrochemical composition directly or indirectly to the plant or to a part of the plant either in a pre-harvest or in a post-harvest stage.

According to specific embodiments, the harvested produce is a fruit, flower, nut or vegetable, a fruit or vegetable with inedible peel, preferably selected from avocados, bananas, plantains, lemons, grapefruits, melons, oranges, pineapples, kiwi fruits, guavas, mandarins, mangoes, squash, strawberries, grapes and pumpkin, is preferred, more preferably bananas, oranges, lemons and peaches, in particular bananas. According to further specific embodiments, the harvested produce is a cut flower from ornamental plants, preferably selected from Alstroemeria, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Freesia, Gerbera, Gladiolus, baby's breath (Gypsophila spec), Helianthus, Hydrangea, Lilium, Lisianthus, roses and summer flowers.

The plant species to which the agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein can be applied can for example be but are not limited to maize, soya bean, alfalfa, cotton, sunflower, Brassica oil seeds such as Brassica napus (e.g. canola, rape- seed), Brassica rapa, B. juncea (e.g. (field) mustard) and Brassica carinata, Arecaceae sp. (e.g. oilpalm, coconut), rice, wheat, sugar beet, sugar cane, oats, rye, barley, millet and sorghum, triticale, flax, nuts, grapes and vine and various fruit and vegetables from various botanic taxa, e.g. Rosaceae sp. (e.g. pome fruits such as apples and pears, but also stone fruits such as apricots, cherries, almonds, plums and peaches, and berry fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, red and black currant and gooseberry), Ribesioidae sp., Juglandaceae sp., Betulaceae sp., Anacardiaceae sp., Fagaceae sp., Moraceae sp., Oleaceae sp. (e.g. olive tree), Actinidaceae sp., Lauraceae sp. (e.g. avocado, cinnamon, camphor), Musaceae sp. (e.g. banana trees and plantations), Rubiaceae sp. (e.g. coffee), Theaceae sp. (e.g. tea), Sterculiceae sp., Rutaceae sp. (e.g. lemons, oranges, mandarins and grapefruit); Solanaceae sp. (e.g. tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, capsicum, aubergines, tobacco), Liliaceae sp., Compositae sp. (e.g. lettuce, artichokes and chicory - including root chicory, endive or common chicory), Umbelliferae sp. (e.g. carrots, parsley, celery and celeriac), Cu- curbitaceae sp. (e.g. cucumbers - including gherkins, pumpkins, watermelons, calabashes and melons), Alliaceae sp. (e.g. leeks and onions), Cruciferae sp. (e.g. white cabbage, red cabbage, broccoli, cauliflow- er, Brussels sprouts, pak choi, kohlrabi, radishes, horseradish, cress and Chinese cabbage), Leguminosae sp. (e.g. peanuts, peas, lentils and beans - e.g. common beans and broad beans), Chenopodiaceae sp. (e.g. Swiss chard, fodder beet, spinach, beetroot), Linaceae sp. (e.g. hemp), Cannabeacea sp. (e.g. cannabis), Malvaceae sp. (e.g. okra, cocoa), Papaveraceae (e.g. poppy), Asparagaceae (e.g. asparagus); useful plants and ornamental plants in the garden and woods including turf, lawn, grass and Stevia rebaudiana; and in each case genetically modified types of these plants. In a preferred embodiment of the treatment methods disclosed herein, the crop is selected from the group consisting of field crops, grasses, fruits and vegetables, lawns, trees and ornamental plants.

In certain aspects, the present invention thus also provides post-harvest treatment methods for protecting or treating a harvested plant or a harvested part of the plant from an infection or other biological interaction with a plant pathogen, at least comprising the step of applying directly or indirectly to the harvested plant or to a harvested part of the plant, an agrochemical composition as disclosed herein, under conditions effective to protect or treat the harvested plant or a harvested part of the plant against the infection or biological interaction with the plant pathogen. According to specific embodiments, the harvested produce is a fruit, flower, nut or vegetable, a fruit or vegetable with inedible peel, preferably selected from avocados, bananas, plantains, lemons, grapefruits, melons, oranges, pineapples, kiwi fruits, guavas, mandarins, mangoes and pumpkin, is preferred, more preferably bananas, oranges, lemons and peaches, in particular bananas. According to further specific embodiments, the harvested produce is a cut flower from ornamental plants, preferably selected from Alstroemeria, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Freesia, Gerbera, Gladiolus, baby's breath (Gypsophila spec), Helianthus, Hydrangea, Lilium, Lisianthus, roses and summer flowers. According to further specific embodiments, the harvested produce is cut grass or wood.

Post-harvest disorders are e.g. lenticel spots, scorch, senescent breakdown, bitter pit, scald, water core, browning, vascular breakdown, CO2 injury, CO2 or O2 deficiency, and softening.

Fungal diseases may be caused for example by the following fungi: Mycosphaerella spp., Mycosphaerella musae, Mycosphaerella fragariae, Mycosphaerella citri; Mucor spp., e.g. Mucor piriformis; Monilinia spp., e.g. Monilinia fructigena, Monilinia laxa; Phomopsis spp., Phomopsis natalensis; Colletotrichum spp., e.g. Colletotrichum musae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum coccodes; Verticillium spp., e.g. VerticiHium theobromae; Nigrospora spp.; Botrytis spp., e.g. Botrytis cinerea; Diplodia spp., e.g. Diplodia citri; Pezicula spp.; Alternaria spp., e.g. Alternaria citri, Alternaria alternata; Septoria spp., e.g. Septoria depressa; Venturia spp., e.g. Venturia inaequalis, Venturia pyrina; Rhizopus spp., e.g. Rhizopus stolonifer, Rhizopus oryzae; Glomerella spp., e.g. Glomerella cingulata; Sclerotinia spp., e.g. Sclerotinia fruiticola; Ceratocystis spp., e.g. Ceratocystis paradoxa; Fusarium spp., e.g. Fusarium semitectum, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum; Cladosporium spp., e.g. Cladosporium fulvum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Cladosporium cucumerinum, Cladosporium musae; Penicillium spp., e.g. Penicillium funiculosum, Penicillium expansum, Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium italicum; Phytophthora spp., e.g. Phytophthora citrophthora, Phytophthora fragariae, Phytophthora cactorum, Phytophthora parasitica; Phacydiopycnis spp., e.g. Phacydiopycnis malirum; Gloeosporium spp., e.g. Gloeosporium album, Gloeosporium perennans, Gloeosporium fructigenum, Gloeosporium singulata; Geotrichum spp., e.g. Geotrichum candidum; Phlyctaena spp., e.g. Phlyctaena vagabunda; Cylindrocarpon spp., e.g. Cylindrocarpon mail; Stemphyllium spp., e.g. Stemphyllium vesica um; Thielaviopsis spp., e.g. Thielaviopsis paradoxy; Aspergillus spp., e.g. Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus carbonari us; Nectria spp., e.g. Nectria galligena; Cercospora spp., e.g. Cercospora angreci, Cercospora apii, Cercospora atrofiliformis, Cercospora musae, Cercospora zeae-maydis.

In further aspects, the present invention provides uses of the agrochemical compositions as disclosed herein as an anti-pest agent, such as for instance a biostatic agent or a pesticidal agent, including but not limited to a fungistatic or a fungicidal agent. In a particular embodiment, the plant pests combated by the method according to the present invention are plant pathogenic fungi, as defined before. Lesion number, lesion size, and extent of sporulation of fungal pathogens may all be decreased as a result of the application of the method according to the present invention.

MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

In certain other embodiments, the present invention provides methods for protecting or curing a human or animal from an infection by a pest and in particular a fungus, or a method of treating an infection of a human or animal by a pest and in particular a fungus, at least comprising the step of applying or administering directly or indirectly to the human or animal or to a part of the human or animal, a composition comprising at least one polypeptide of the invention, which specifically binds to a pest, such as but not limited to a fungus. The composition may be applied to administered under conditions effective to protect or cure the human or animal from the pest.

Accordingly, the present invention provides polypeptides of the invention that specifically bind to a pest target for use in a method for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease and/or disorder caused by a pest, such as for example a disease and/or disorder caused by a fungus in a subject. The present invention also provides compositions of the invention for use in a method for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease and/or disorder caused by a pest, such as for example a disease and/or disorder caused by a fungus in a subject. The present invention also provides polypeptides of the invention that specifically bind to a pest target for use in a method for the prevention and/or treatment of an infection cause by a pest, such as a fungal infection, in a subject. The present invention also provides compositions of the invention that specifically bind to a pest target for use in a method for the prevention and/or treatment of an infection cause by a pest, such as a fungal infection, in a subject. In particular embodiments, the present invention also provides methods for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease and/or disorder caused by a pest, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof, a pharmaceutically active amount of one or more amino acid sequences, polypeptides and/or pharmaceutical compositions as disclosed herein. In particular, the pharmaceutically active amount may be an amount that is sufficient (to create a level of the amino acid sequence or polypeptide in circulation) to inhibit, prevent or decrease one or more biological activities or pathways of the pest bound thereby.

Therefore, in certain aspects the present invention provides compositions comprising at least one polypeptide, which specifically binds to a pest for use as an anti-pest agent in a subject, such as an animal or a human being, suffering from a disease and/or disorder caused by a pest (e.g. a fungus).

In specific embodiments, the anti-pest agent is a biostatic or a pesticidal agent. In specific embodiments, the anti-pest agent is a fungistatic or a fungicidal agent.

Also, in certain aspects, the present invention provides methods for the prevention and/or treatment of a disease and/or disorder caused by a pest, which methods comprise the steps of:

(a) providing an amino acid sequence, polypeptide or composition as disclosed herein,

(b) administering the amino acid sequence, polypeptide or pharmaceutical composition to a patient suffering from the disease and/or disorder caused by a pest.

The efficacy of the polypeptides as disclosed herein, and of compositions comprising the same, can be tested using any suitable in vitro assay, cell-based assay, in vivo assay and/or animal model known per se, or any combination thereof, depending on the specific disease or disorder involved. Suitable assays and animal models will be clear to the skilled person as well as the assays and animal models used in the experimental part below and in the prior art cited herein. The skilled person will generally be able to select a suitable in vitro assay, cellular assay or animal model to test the amino acid sequences and polypeptides as disclosed herein for binding to a pest target or pest antigen or for their capacity to affect the activity of a pest target or pest antigen, and/or the biological mechanisms in which it is involved; as well as for their therapeutic and/or prophylactic effect in respect of one or more diseases and disorders that are associated with the pest antigen.

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more amino acid sequences, polypeptides and/or nucleic acid sequences as disclosed herein and optionally at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier (also referred to herein as pharmaceutical compositions of the invention). According to certain particular embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions as disclosed herein may further optionally comprise at least one other pharmaceutically active compound.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be used in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases and disorders associated with the pest, such as a fungus, of which the pest target is bound to the polypeptides disclosed herein.

In particular, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising polypeptides that are suitable for prophylactic, therapeutic and/or diagnostic use in a warm-blooded animal, and in particular in a mammal, and more in particular in a human being.

The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising amino acid sequences and polypeptides as disclosed herein that can be used for veterinary purposes in the prevention and/or treatment or diagnosis of one or more diseases, disorders or conditions associated with the pest, such as for instance a fungus, of which the pest target is bound to the polypeptides disclosed herein.

Generally, for pharmaceutical use, the polypeptides as disclosed herein may be formulated as a pharmaceutical preparation or compositions comprising at least one polypeptide as disclosed herein and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient and/or adjuvant, and optionally one or more further pharmaceutically active polypeptides and/or compounds. Such a formulation may be suitable for oral, parenteral, topical administration or for administration by inhalation. Thus, the amino acid sequences, or polypeptides as disclosed herein and/or the compositions comprising the same can for example be administered orally, intraperitoneally (e.g. intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, transdermally, topically, by means of a suppository, by inhalation, again depending on the specific pharmaceutical formulation or composition to be used. The clinician will be able to select a suitable route of administration and a suitable pharmaceutical formulation or composition to be used in such administration.

The pharmaceutical compositions may also contain suitable binders, disintegrating agents, sweetening agents or flavoring agents. Tablets, pills, or capsules may be coated for instance with gelatin, wax or sugar and the like. In addition, the amino acid sequences and polypeptides as disclosed herein may be incorporated into sustained-release preparations and devices. The pharmaceutical dosage forms suitable for injection or infusion can include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions or sterile powders comprising the active ingredient which are adapted for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable or infusible solutions or dispersions, optionally encapsulated in liposomes. In all cases, the ultimate dosage form must be sterile, fluid and stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage. The liquid carrier or vehicle can be a solvent or liquid dispersion medium comprising, for example, water, ethanol, a polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and the like), vegetable oils, nontoxic glyceryl esters, and suitable mixtures thereof. Antibacterial and antifungal agents and the like can optionally be added.

Useful dosages of the amino acid sequences and polypeptides as disclosed herein can be determined by comparing their in vitro activity, and in vivo activity in animal models. Methods for the extrapolation of effective dosages in mice, and other animals, to humans are known to the skilled person.

The amount of the amino acid sequences and polypeptides as disclosed herein required for use in prophylaxis and/or treatment may vary not only with the particular amino acid sequence or polypeptide selected but also with the route of administration, the nature of the condition being treated and the age and condition of the patient and will be ultimately at the discretion of the attendant physician or clinician. Also the dosage of the amino acid sequences and polypeptides as disclosed herein may vary depending on the target cell, tumor, tissue, graft, or organ.

The amino acid sequences or polypeptides as disclosed herein and/or the compositions comprising the same are administered according to a regimen of treatment that is suitable for preventing and/or treating the disease or disorder to be prognosed, diagnosed, prevented or treated. The clinician will generally be able to determine a suitable treatment regimen. Generally, the treatment regimen will comprise the administration of one or more amino acid sequences or polypeptides as disclosed herein, or of one or more compositions comprising the same, in one or more pharmaceutically effective amounts or doses.

The desired dose may conveniently be presented in a single dose or as divided doses (which can again be sub-dosed) administered at appropriate intervals. An administration regimen could include longterm (i.e. , at least two weeks, and for example several months or years) or daily treatment.

The amino acid sequences or polypeptides as disclosed herein will be administered in an amount which will be determined by the medical practitioner based inter alia on the severity of the condition and the patient to be treated. Typically, for each disease indication an optical dosage will be determined specifying the amount to be administered per kg body weight per day, either continuously (e.g. by infusion), as a single daily dose or as multiple divided doses during the day. The clinician will generally be able to determine a suitable daily dose, depending on the factors mentioned herein. It will also be clear that in specific cases, the clinician may choose to deviate from these amounts, for example on the basis of the factors cited above and his expert judgment.

In particular, the amino acid sequences or polypeptides as disclosed herein may be used in combination with other pharmaceutically active compounds or principles that are or can be used for the prevention and/or treatment of the diseases and disorders cited herein, as a result of which a synergistic effect may or may not be obtained. Examples of such compounds and principles, as well as routes, methods and pharmaceutical formulations or compositions for administering them will be clear to the clinician. Compositions of the invention may be used in conjunction with known anti-fungals. Suitable anti- fungals include, but are not limited to, azoles (e.g. fluconazole, itraconazole), polyenes (e.g. amphotericin B), flucytosine, and squalene epoxidase inhibitors (e.g. terbinafine) [see also ref 57]. Compositions may also be used in conjunction with known antivirals e.g. HIV protease inhibitors, a 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside (e.g. DDC, DDI), 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxynucleosides (AZT), 3'-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxynucleosides (FLT), 2', 3'- didehydro-2',3'-dideoxynucleosides (e.g. D4C, D4T) and carbocyclic derivatives thereof (e.g. carbovir), 2'- fluoro-ara-2',3'-dideoxynucleosides, 1 ,3-dioxolane derivatives (e.g. 2',3'-dideoxyl-3'-thiacytidine), oxetanocin analogues and carbocyclic derivatives thereof (e.g. cyclobut-G) and the 9-(2- phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA) and 9-(3-fluoro-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine (FPMPA) derivatives, tetrahydro-irmidazo[4,5,1jk][1 ,4]-benzodiazepin-2(1 H)one (TIBO), 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)- methyl]-6-(phenylthio)thymine (HEPT), dipyrido[3,2-b:2',3'-e]-[1 ,4]diazepin-6-one (nevirapine) and pyridin- 2(1 H)one derivatives, 3TC, etc.

The amino acid sequences, polypeptides and pharmaceutical compositions are particularly useful for treating infections in animals and humans of Candida species, such as C. albicans; Cryptococcus species, such as C.neoformans; Enterococcus species, such as E.faecalis; Streptococcus species, such as Spneumoniae, S.mutans, S.agalactiae and S. pyogenes; Leishmania species, such as L.major and L.infantum; Acanthamoeba species, such as A.castellani; Aspergillus species, such as A.fumigatus and A.flavus; Pneumocystis species, such as P.carinii; Mycobacterium species, such as M.tuberculosis; Pseudomonas species, such as P. aeruginosa; Staphylococcus species, such as S. aureus; Salmonella species, such as S.typhimurium; Coccidioides species such as C.iminitis; Trichophyton species such as T.verrucosum; Blastomyces species such as B.dermatidis; Histoplasma species such as H.capsulatum; Paracoccidioides species such as P.brasiliensis; Pythiumn species such as P.insidiosum; and Escherichia species, such as E.coli. The amino acid sequences, polypeptides and pharmaceutical compositions are particularly useful for treating diseases including, but not limited to: candidosis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, dermatomycoses, sporothrychosis and other subcutaneous mycoses, blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, coccidiomycosis, paracoccidiomycosis, pneumocystosis, thrush, tuberculosis, mycobacteriosis, respiratory infections, scarlet fever, pneumonia, impetigo, rheumatic fever, sepsis, septicaemia, cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, corneal acanthamoebiasis, keratitis, cystic fibrosis, typhoid fever, gastroenteritis and hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Anti C. albicans activity is particularly useful for treating infections in AIDS patients.

METHODS OF PRODUCTION AND MANUFACTURING OF THE POLYPEPTIDES

The invention further provides methods for preparing or generating the polypeptide sequences, as well as methods for producing nucleic acids encoding these and host cells, products and compositions comprising these polypeptide sequences. Some preferred but non-limiting examples of such methods will become clear from the further description herein.

As will be clear to the skilled person, one particularly useful method for preparing polypeptide sequences as disclosed herein generally comprises the steps of:

(a) expressing a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as disclosed herein or a vector or genetic construct a nucleotide sequence encoding that polypeptide sequence and

(b) optionally isolating and/or purifying the polypeptide sequence. In particular embodiments envisaged herein, the pest-specific a polypeptide sequences can be obtained by methods which involve generating a random library of amino acid sequences and screening this library for an amino acid sequence capable of specifically binding to a pest target.

Accordingly, in particular embodiments, methods for preparing a polypeptide sequence as disclosed herein comprise the steps of a) providing a set, collection or library of amino acid sequences; and b) screening said set, collection or library of amino acid sequences that can bind to and/or have affinity for the pest target. and c) isolating the amino acid sequence(s) that can bind to and/or have affinity for the pest target.

In such a method, the set, collection or library of polypeptide sequences may be any suitable set, collection or library of amino acid sequences. For example, the set, collection or library of amino acid sequences may be a set, collection or library of immunoglobulin fragment sequences (as described herein), such as a naive set, collection or library of immunoglobulin fragment sequences; a synthetic or semi-synthetic set, collection or library of immunoglobulin fragment sequences; and/or a set, collection or library of immunoglobulin fragment sequences that have been subjected to affinity maturation.

In particular embodiments of this method, the set, collection or library of amino acid sequences may be an immune set, collection or library of immunoglobulin fragment sequences, for example derived from a mammal that has been suitably immunized with a pest target or with a suitable antigenic determinant based thereon or derived therefrom, such as an antigenic part, fragment, region, domain, loop or other epitope thereof. In one particular aspect, said antigenic determinant may be an extracellular part, region, domain, loop or other extracellular epitope(s).

In the above methods, the set, collection or library of polypeptide sequences may be displayed on a phage, phagemid, ribosome or suitable micro-organism (such as yeast), such as to facilitate screening. Suitable methods, techniques and host organisms for displaying and screening (a set, collection or library of) amino acid sequences will be clear to the person skilled in the art, for example on the basis of the further disclosure herein. Reference is also made to the review by Hoogenboom in Nature Biotechnology, 23, 9, 1105-1116 (2005).

In other embodiments, the methods for generating the polypeptide sequences as disclosed herein comprises at least the steps of: a) providing a collection or sample of cells expressing polypeptide sequences; b) screening said collection or sample of cells for cells that express an amino acid sequence that can bind to and/or have affinity for a pest target; and c) either (i) isolating said amino acid sequence; or (ii) isolating from said cell a nucleic acid sequence that encodes said amino acid sequence, followed by expressing said amino acid sequence.

The collection or sample of cells may for example be a collection or sample of B-cells. Also, in this method, the sample of cells may be derived from a mammal that has been suitably immunized with a fungal target or with a suitable antigenic determinant based thereon or derived therefrom, such as an antigenic part, fragment, region, domain, loop or other epitope thereof. In one particular embodiment, the antigenic determinant may be an extracellular part, region, domain, loop or other extracellular epitope(s).

In other embodiments, the method for generating a polypeptide sequence directed against a pest target may comprise at least the steps of: a) providing a set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encoding a polypeptide amino acid sequence; b) screening said set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences for nucleic acid sequences that encode an amino acid sequence that can bind to and/or has affinity for the pest target; and c) isolating said nucleic acid sequence, followed by expressing said amino acid sequence.

In the above methods, the pest target may be a lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus). Said lipid-containing fraction may be obtainable by chromatography. For example, said lipid-containing fraction may be obtainable by a method comprising: fractionating hyphae of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus)by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

In the above methods, the set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encoding amino acid sequences may for example be a set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encoding a naive set, collection or library of immunoglobulin fragment sequences; a set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encoding a synthetic or semi-synthetic set, collection or library of immunoglobulin fragment sequences; and/or a set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encoding a set, collection or library of immunoglobulin fragment sequences that have been subjected to affinity maturation.

In particular, in such a method, the set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encodes a set, collection or library of polypeptides (such as VH domains or VHH domains). For example, the set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences may encode a set, collection or library of domain antibodies or single domain antibodies, or a set, collection or library of amino acid sequences that are capable of functioning as a domain antibody or single domain antibody. In specific embodiments, the set, collection or library of nucleotide sequences encodes a set, collection or library of VHH sequences.

In the above methods, the set, collection or library of nucleotide sequences may be displayed on a phage, phagemid, ribosome or suitable micro-organism (such as yeast), such as to facilitate screening. Suitable methods, techniques and host organisms for displaying and screening (a set, collection or library of) nucleotide sequences encoding amino acid sequences will be clear to the person skilled in the art, for example on the basis of the further disclosure herein. Reference is also made to the review by Hoogenboom in Nature Biotechnology, 23, 9, 1105-1116 (2005).

The invention also relates to polypeptide sequences that are obtainable or obtained by the above methods, or alternativdiely by a method that comprises one of the above methods and in addition at least the steps of determining the nucleotide sequence or amino acid sequence of said immunoglobulin sequence; and of expressing or synthesizing said amino acid sequence in a manner known per se, such as by expression in a suitable host cell or host organism or by chemical synthesis. ISOLATION OF POLYPEPTIDE SEQUENCES

In some cases, the methods for producing the amino acid sequences binding specifically to a fungal target as envisaged herein may further comprise the step of isolating from the amino acid sequence library at least one polypeptide having detectable binding affinity for, or detectable in vitro effect on, a pest target.

These methods may further comprise the step of amplifying a sequence encoding at least one polypeptide having detectable binding affinity for, or detectable in vitro effect on the activity of a pest target. For example, a phage clone displaying a particular amino acid sequence, obtained from a selection step of a method described herein, may be amplified by reinfection of a host bacteria and incubation in a growth medium.

In particular embodiments, these methods may encompass determining the sequence of the one or more amino acid sequences capable of binding to a pest target.

Where a polypeptide sequence, comprised in a set, collection or library of amino acid sequences, is displayed on a suitable cell or phage or particle, it is possible to isolate from said cell or phage or particle, the nucleotide sequence that encodes that amino acid sequence. In this way, the nucleotide sequence of the selected amino acid sequence library member(s) can be determined by a routine sequencing method.

In further particular embodiments, the methods for producing a polypeptide as envisaged herein comprise the step of expressing said nucleotide sequence(s) in a host organism under suitable conditions, so as to obtain the actual desired amino acid sequence. This step can be performed by methods known to the person skilled in the art.

In addition, the obtained polypeptide sequences having detectable binding affinity for, or detectable in vitro effect on the activity of a pest target, may be synthesized as soluble protein construct, optionally after their sequence has been identified.

For instance, the polypeptide sequences obtained, obtainable or selected by the above methods can be synthesized using recombinant or chemical synthesis methods known in the art. Also, the amino acid sequences obtained, obtainable or selected by the above methods can be produced by genetic engineering techniques. Thus, methods for synthesizing the polypeptide sequences obtained, obtainable or selected by the above methods may comprise transforming or infecting a host cell with a nucleic acid or a vector encoding an amino acid sequence having detectable binding affinity for, or detectable in vitro effect on the activity of a pest target. Accordingly, the amino acid sequences having detectable binding affinity for, or detectable in vitro effect on the activity of a pest target can be made by recombinant DNA methods. DNA encoding the amino acid sequences can be readily synthesized using conventional procedures. Once prepared, the DNA can be introduced into expression vectors, which can then be transformed or transfected into host cells such as E. coli or any suitable expression system, in order to obtain the expression of amino acid sequences in the recombinant host cells and/or in the medium in which these recombinant host cells reside.

It should be understood, as known by someone skilled in the art of protein expression and purification, that the polypeptide produced from an expression vector using a suitable expression system may be tagged (typically at the N-terminal or C-terminal end of the amino acid sequence) with e.g. a His- tag or other sequence tag for easy purification. Transformation or transfection of nucleic acids or vectors into host cells may be accomplished by a variety of means known to the person skilled in the art including calcium phosphate-DNA co-precipitation, DEAE-dextran-mediated transfection, polybrene-mediated transfection, electroporation, microinjection, liposome fusion, lipofection, protoplast fusion, retroviral infection, and biolistics.

Suitable host cells for the expression of the desired polypeptide sequences may be any eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell (e.g., bacterial cells such as E. coli, yeast cells, mammalian cells, avian cells, amphibian cells, plant cells, fish cells, and insect cells), whether located in vitro or in vivo. For example, host cells may be located in a transgenic plant or animal.

Thus, the application also provides methods for the production of polypeptide sequences having detectable binding affinity for, or detectable in vitro effect on the activity of a pest target comprising transforming, transfecting or infecting a host cell with nucleic acid sequences or vectors encoding such amino acid sequences and expressing the amino acid sequences under suitable conditions. The application also provides methods for the production of polypeptide sequences having detectable binding affinity for, or detectable in vitro effect on the activity of a pest target comprising providing a host cell comprising a nucleic acid sequence or vector encoding the polypeptide and expressing polypeptide under suitable conditions. Methods of the invention may further comprise isolating the polypeptide, for example isolating the polypeptide from the cell culture medium or fermentation broth, or from inside the host cell (for example after a step of lysing the host cell).

In yet another embodiment, the invention further provides methods for the manufacture (‘or the production of’ which is equivalent wording) an agrochemical or biological control composition as disclosed herein.

In particular embodiments, the invention provides methods for producing an agrochemical composition as disclosed herein, at least comprising the steps of:

- obtaining at least one polypeptide, which specifically binds to a pest, and

- formulating the polypeptide or functional fragment thereof in an agrochemical composition.

In particular embodiments of these methods, the step of obtaining at least one polypeptide, which specifically binds to a pest comprises:

(a) expressing a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide, which specifically binds to a pest, and optionally

(b) isolating and/or purifying the polypeptide.

In other particular embodiments of these methods, the step of obtaining at least one polypeptide, which specifically binds to a pest, comprises: a) providing a set, collection or library of polypeptide sequences; b) screening said set, collection or library of polypeptide sequences for sequences that specifically bind to and/or have affinity for a pest, and optionally c) isolating the polypeptide sequences that specifically bind to and/or have affinity for a pest.

The present application further discloses methods for the manufacture (‘or the production of’ which is equivalent wording) an agrochemical or biological control composition as disclosed herein, comprising formulating an amino acid sequence or polypeptide of between 80 and 200 amino acids, or other suitable sub-ranges as defined herein before, with pesticidal activity together with at least one customary agrochemical auxiliary agent. Suitable manufacturing methods are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, high or low shear mixing, wet or dry milling, drip-casting, encapsulating, emulsifying, coating, encrusting, pilling, extrusion granulation, fluid bed granulation, co-extrusion, spray drying, spray chilling, atomization, addition or condensation polymerization, interfacial polymerization, in situ polymerization, coacervation, spray encapsulation, cooling melted dispersions, solvent evaporation, phase separation, solvent extraction, sol-gel polymerization, fluid bed coating, pan coating, melting, passive or active absorption or adsorption.

Specifically, the amino acid sequences or polypeptides of between 80 and 200 amino acids as disclosed herein, or other suitable sub-ranges as defined herein before, may be prepared by chemical synthesis.

It is further disclosed that the amino acid sequences or polypeptides of between 80 and 200 amino acids, or other suitable sub-ranges as defined herein before, may be prepared by recombinant microbial expression systems in vitro and isolated for further use. Such amino acid sequences or polypeptides may be either in crude cell lysates, suspensions, colloids, etc., or alternatively may be purified, refined, buffered and/or further processed before formulating together with customary agrochemical auxiliary agents.

Specifically recombinant methodologies generally involve inserting a DNA molecule expressing an amino acid sequence, protein or polypeptide of interest into an expression system to which the DNA molecule is heterologous (i.e. not normally present in the host). The heterologous DNA molecule is inserted into the expression system or vector in proper sense orientation and correct reading frame. The vector contains the necessary elements for the transcription and translation of the inserted protein-coding sequences. Transcription of DNA is dependent upon the presence of a promoter. Similarly, translation of mRNA in prokaryotes depends upon the presence of the proper prokaryotic signals which differ from those of eukaryotes. For a review on maximizing gene expression, see Roberts and Lauer, Methods in Enzymology 68:473 (1979). Regardless of the specific regulatory sequences employed, the DNA molecule is cloned into the vector using standard cloning procedures in the art, as described by Sambrook et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Springs Laboratory, Cold Springs Harbor, N.Y. (1989). Once the isolated DNA molecule encoding the protein has been cloned into an expression system, it is ready to be incorporated into a host cell. Such incorporation can be carried out by the various forms of transformation, depending upon the vector/host cell system. Suitable host cells include, but are not limited to, bacteria, virus, yeast, mammalian cells, insect, plant, and the like. Optionally, the recombinant host cells can be host cells that express a native or recombinant, functional type III secretion system. This is described in detail in US6,596,509. As a consequence of expressing the functional type III secretion system, the cells will express the polypeptide and then secrete the protein into the culture medium. This can simplify isolation and purification of the polypeptide. The recombinant host cells can be grown in appropriate fermentation chambers, preferably under temperature and nutrient conditions that optimize growth of the host cells and the expression of the polypeptide. Persons of skill in the art are able to identify optimal conditions for particular host cells. After fermentation, for example the bacterial suspension may be diluted in, e.g. about 2 to 5 fold volume of a buffer to adjust the pH between about 5.5 to 10, more preferably to a pH of between about 7 to 9, and even more preferably to a pH of about 8.0. Suitable buffers are well-known in the art and may include, for example, potassium phosphate buffer or a Tris-EDTA buffer. The concentration of the buffer can be from about 0.001 mM to about 0.5 M. Following the pH adjustment, the (bacterial) suspension solution is heat treated to a temperature of about 60-130°C, preferably to a temperature of about 95-125°C. Heat treatment may be carried out for any suitable period of time. In one embodiment, heat treatment is carried out for a period of about five minutes up to about 30 minutes. The heated suspension solution is then cooled. A suitable cool down temperature is, without limitation, about 35-55°C, preferably about 45°C. Following cooling, bacterial cells in the bacterial suspension are lysed, if required, to liberate the polypeptide. Cell lysis may be carried out, e.g. by contacting the bacterial suspension with a lysozyme. The concentration of lysozyme may be anywhere from about 2 ppm to 100 ppm. Alternatively, cell lysis may involve non-chemical methods, such as high pressure or sonication, both of which are well known by persons of ordinary skill in the art. It may be desirable, after cell lysis, to incubate the bacterial suspension. Suitable incubation times may vary. For example, it may be desirable to incubate the bacterial suspension for a period of about 30-45 minutes at a temperature of about 40-42°C. After lysing, the desired polypeptide can be further extracted by removing the cell debris and the denatured proteins resulting from the previous heat treatment step. In one embodiment, the extract is centrifuged for about 10-20 minutes to remove some of the cell debris. Suitable centrifuge speeds may be from about 4,000 to 20,000 rpm and the spinning down time can be from about 10 minutes to 20 minutes. Further cell debris may then be removed by heat treating and centrifuging the supernatant to obtain a liquid extract that is substantially free of cellular debris by removing more than about 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 95% of total solids. This subsequent heat treatment may be carried out at a temperature of about 6O°C for up to about two hours, at about 100°C for about 10 minutes, or at about 121 °C with 15 psi of pressure for about 5 minutes. These temperatures and times may vary depending on other conditions. The method of making a stable liquid composition containing an amino acid sequence or polypeptide as disclosed herein further involves introducing into the liquid extract a biocidal agent and, optionally, one or both of a protease inhibitor and a non-ionic surfactant, thereby obtaining a liquid composition comprising the polypeptide. In one embodiment, a protease inhibitor is introduced into the liquid extract without a non-ionic surfactant. In another embodiment, a non-ionic surfactant is introduced into the liquid extract without a protease inhibitor. In a further embodiment, both a protease inhibitor and a non-ionic surfactant are introduced into the liquid extract. In yet another embodiment, neither a protease inhibitor nor a non-ionic surfactant are introduced into the liquid extract. Alternatively, the stability of the liquid composition as disclosed herein can be assessed using, e.g., HPLC analysis or other suitable procedures that can identify quantity of a specific protein or polypeptide. The stability of the amino acid sequences or polypeptides in a composition as disclosed herein can be determined by comparing the quantity of the protein in the aged liquid composition to that of a recently prepared liquid composition or to a prior quantitation performed on the same composition. The measurement of protein stability strongly correlates with a retention of its activity.

Customary agrochemical auxiliary agents are well-known in the art and include, but are not limited to aqueous or organic solvents, buffering agents, acidifiers, surfactants, wetting agents, spreading agents, tackifiers, stickers, carriers, fillers, thickeners, emulsifiers, dispersants, sequestering agents, antisettling agents, coalescing agents, rheology modifiers, defoaming agents, photo-protectors, anti-freeze agents, biocides, penetrants, mineral or vegetable oils, pigments and drift control agents or any suitable combination thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a polypeptide of between 80 and 200 amino acids or the sub-ranges disclosed herein before, obtained by affinity selection to a certain plant pest target, which is able to inhibit the growth and/or the activity of a plant pest at a minimum inhibitory concentration of about 0.00001 to 1 pM.

In particular embodiments of the methods as disclosed herein for protecting, preventing, curing or treating a plant from an infection by a fungus, the polypeptides or compositions as disclosed herein are directly or indirectly applied to the plant by spraying, atomizing, foaming, fogging, in hydroculture/hydroponics, coating, submerging, and/or encrusting.

NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCES

In a further aspect, the present invention provides nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptide sequences as disclosed herein (or suitable fragments thereof). These nucleic acid sequences can also be in the form of a vector or a genetic construct or polynucleotide. The nucleic acid sequences as disclosed herein may be synthetic or semi-synthetic sequences, nucleotide sequences that have been isolated from a library (and in particular, an expression library), nucleotide sequences that have been prepared by PCR using overlapping primers, or nucleotide sequences that have been prepared using techniques for DNA synthesis known per se.

The present invention includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding any polypeptide disclosed herein. For example, the present invention includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 , as well as variants thereof, such as those having amino acid substitutions or certain percent identity thereto.

CONSTRUCTS, VECTORS, HOST CELLS

The genetic constructs as disclosed herein may be DNA or RNA, and are preferably doublestranded DNA. The genetic constructs of the invention may also be in a form suitable for transformation of the intended host cell or host organism in a form suitable for integration into the genomic DNA of the intended host cell or in a form suitable for independent replication, maintenance and/or inheritance in the intended host organism. For instance, the genetic constructs of the invention may be in the form of a vector, such as for example a plasmid, cosmid, YAC, a viral vector or transposon. In particular, the vector may be an expression vector, i.e., a vector that can provide for expression in vitro and/or in vivo (e.g. in a suitable host cell, host organism and/or expression system).

Accordingly, in another further aspect, the present invention also provides vectors comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences of the invention.

In still a further aspect, the present invention provides hosts or host cells that express or are capable of expressing one or more amino acid sequences as disclosed herein. Suitable examples of hosts or host cells for expression of the amino acid sequences, polypeptides of the invention will be clear to the skilled person.

The application also discloses, polypeptides of between 80 and 200 amino acids or the sub-ranges discussed herein before, remain stable in an agrochemical or biological control composition, as defined, meaning that the integrity and the pesticidal activity, as defined, of the polypeptide is maintained under storage and/or utilization conditions of the agrochemical composition, which may include elevated temperatures, freeze-thaw cycles, changes in pH or in ionic strength, UV-irradiation, presence of harmful chemicals and the like. Most preferably, these polypeptides of between 80 and 200 amino acids remains stable in the agrochemical composition when the agrochemical composition is stored at ambient temperature for a period of two years or when the agrochemical composition is stored at 54°C for a period of two weeks. Particularly, the polypeptides of between 80 and 200 amino acids comprised in an agrochemical composition retains at least about 70% activity, more particularly at least about 70% to 80% activity, most particularly about 80% to 90% activity, after having been stored in the agrochemical composition at ambient temperature for a period of two years or when the agrochemical composition containing the polypeptide is stored at 54°C for a period of two weeks.

In yet another embodiment, for use in the methods disclosed herein, the application discloses nucleic acid sequences encoding a polypeptides of between 80 and 200 amino acids, wherein polypeptides are obtained by affinity selection to a specific plant pathogenic target, which polypeptide is able to inhibit the growth and/or the activity of a crop pest at a minimum inhibitory concentration of about 0.00001 to 1 pM.

Also disclosed are chimeric genes comprising the following operably linked DNA elements: a) a plant expressible promoter, b) a DNA region which when transcribed yields a mRNA molecule capable of being translated into a polypeptide and c) a 3’ end region comprising transcription termination and polyadenylation signals functioning in cells of said plant.

A “chimeric gene” or "chimeric construct" is a recombinant nucleic acid sequence in which a promoter (e.g. a plant expressible promoter) or regulatory nucleic acid sequence is operatively linked to, or associated with, a nucleic acid sequence that codes for an mRNA, such that the regulatory nucleic acid sequence is able to regulate transcription or expression of the associated nucleic acid coding sequence when introduced into a cell such as a plant cell. The regulatory nucleic acid sequence of the chimeric gene is not normally operatively linked to the associated nucleic acid sequence as found in nature.

In the present invention, a "plant promoter" comprises regulatory elements, which mediate the expression of a coding sequence segment in plant cells. For expression in plants, the nucleic acid molecule must be linked operably to or comprise a suitable promoter which expresses the gene at the right point in time and with the required spatial expression pattern.

The term "operably linked" as used herein refers to a functional linkage between the promoter sequence and the gene of interest, such that the promoter sequence is able to initiate transcription of the gene of interest.

Plant expressible promoters comprise nucleic acid sequences which are able to direct the expression of a transgene in a plant. Examples of plant expressible promoters are constitutive promoters which are transcriptionally active during most, but not necessarily all, phases of growth and development and under most environmental conditions, in at least one cell, tissue or organ, other promoters are inducible promoters, other examples are tissue specific promoters, still other examples are abiotic stress inducible promoters.

The chimeric gene (or the expression cassette) when transformed in a plant expresses a nucleic acid which results in expression of a protein.

Also disclosed is a recombinant vector which comprises an expression cassette (or a chimeric gene) as herein described before.

The term "terminator" encompasses a control sequence which is a DNA sequence at the end of a transcriptional unit which signals 3' processing and polyadenylation of a primary transcript and termination of transcription. The terminator can be derived from the natural gene, from a variety of other plant genes, or from T-DNA. The terminator to be added may be derived from, for example, the nopaline synthase or octopine synthase genes, or alternatively from another plant gene, or less preferably from any other eukaryotic gene.

"Selectable marker", "selectable marker gene" or "reporter gene" includes any gene that confers a phenotype on a cell in which it is expressed to facilitate the identification and/or selection of cells that are transfected or transformed with a nucleic acid construct of the invention. These marker genes enable the identification of a successful transfer of the nucleic acid molecules via a series of different principles. Suitable markers may be selected from markers that confer antibiotic or herbicide resistance, that introduce a new metabolic trait or that allow visual selection. Examples of selectable marker genes include genes conferring resistance to antibiotics (such as nptll that phosphorylates neomycin and kanamycin, or hpt, phosphorylating hygromycin, or genes conferring resistance to, for example, bleomycin, streptomycin, tetracyclin, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, gentamycin, geneticin (G418), spectinomycin or blasticidin), to herbicides (for example bar which provides resistance to Basta®; aroA or gox providing resistance against glyphosate, or the genes conferring resistance to, for example, imidazolinone, phosphinothricin or sulfonylurea), or genes that provide a metabolic trait (such as manA that allows plants to use mannose as sole carbon source or xylose isomerase for the utilisation of xylose, or antinutritive markers such as the resistance to 2-deoxyglucose). Expression of visual marker genes results in the formation of colour (for example p-glucuronidase, GUS or p- galactosidase with its coloured substrates, for example X-Gal), luminescence (such as the luciferin/luceferase system) or fluorescence (Green Fluorescent Protein, GFP, and derivatives thereof). This list represents only a small number of possible markers. The skilled worker is familiar with such markers. Different markers are preferred, depending on the organism and the selection method.

It is known that upon stable or transient integration of nucleic acids into plant cells, only a minority of the cells takes up the foreign DNA and, if desired, integrates it into its genome, depending on the expression vector used and the transfection technique used. To identify and select these integrants, a gene coding for a selectable marker (such as the ones described above) is usually introduced into the host cells together with the gene of interest. These markers can for example be used in mutants in which these genes are not functional by, for example, deletion by conventional methods. Furthermore, nucleic acid molecules encoding a selectable marker can be introduced into a host cell on the same vector that comprises the sequence encoding the polypeptides of the invention or used in the methods of the invention, or else in a separate vector. Cells which have been stably transfected with the introduced nucleic acid can be identified for example by selection (for example, cells which have integrated the selectable marker survive whereas the other cells die).

Since the marker genes, particularly genes for resistance to antibiotics and herbicides, are no longer required or are undesired in the transgenic host cell once the nucleic acids have been introduced successfully, the process according to the invention for introducing the nucleic acids advantageously employs techniques which enable the removal or excision of these marker genes. One such a method is what is known as co-transformation. The co- transformation method employs two vectors simultaneously for the transformation, one vector bearing the nucleic acid according to the invention and a second bearing the marker gene(s). A large proportion of transformants receives or, in the case of plants, comprises (up to 40% or more of the transformants), both vectors. In case of transformation with Agrobacteria, the transformants usually receive only a part of the vector, i.e. the sequence flanked by the T-DNA, which usually represents the expression cassette. The marker genes can subsequently be removed from the transformed plant by performing crosses. In another method, marker genes integrated into a transposon are used for the transformation together with desired nucleic acid (known as the Ac/Ds technology). The transformants can be crossed with a transposase source or the transformants are transformed with a nucleic acid construct conferring expression of a transposase, transiently or stable. In some cases (approx. 10%), the transposon jumps out of the genome of the host cell once transformation has taken place successfully and is lost. In a further number of cases, the transposon jumps to a different location. In these cases the marker gene must be eliminated by performing crosses. In microbiology, techniques were developed which make possible, or facilitate, the detection of such events. A further advantageous method relies on what is known as recombination systems; whose advantage is that elimination by crossing can be dispensed with. The best-known system of this type is what is known as the Cre/lox system. Cre1 is a recombinase that removes the sequences located between the loxP sequences. If the marker gene is integrated between the loxP sequences, it is removed once transformation has taken place successfully, by expression of the recombinase. Further recombination systems are the HIN/HIX, FLP/FRT and REP/STB system (Tribble et al., J. Biol. Chem., 275, 2000: 22255-22267; Velmurugan et al., J. Cell Biol., 149, 2000: 553-566). A site-specific integration into the plant genome of the nucleic acid sequences according to the invention is possible.

For the purposes of the invention, "transgenic", "transgene" or "recombinant" means with regard to, for example, a nucleic acid sequence, an expression cassette, gene construct or a vector comprising the nucleic acid sequence or an organism transformed with the nucleic acid sequences, expression cassettes or vectors according to the invention.

A transgenic plant for the purposes of the invention is thus understood as meaning, as above, that the nucleic acids used in the method of the invention are not present in, or originating from, the genome of said plant, or are present in the genome of said plant but not at their natural locus in the genome of said plant, it being possible for the nucleic acids to be expressed homologously or heterologously. However, as mentioned, transgenic also means that, while the nucleic acids according to the invention or used in the inventive method are at their natural position in the genome of a plant, the sequence has been modified with regard to the natural sequence, and/or that the regulatory sequences of the natural sequences have been modified. Transgenic is preferably understood as meaning the expression of the nucleic acids according to the invention at an unnatural locus in the genome, i.e. homologous or, heterologous expression of the nucleic acids takes place. Preferred transgenic plants are mentioned herein.

The term "expression" or "gene expression" means the transcription of a specific gene or specific genes or specific genetic construct. The term "expression" or "gene expression" in particular means the transcription of a gene or genes or genetic construct into structural RNA (rRNA, tRNA) or mRNA with or without subsequent translation of the latter into a protein. The process includes transcription of DNA and processing of the resulting mRNA product.

The term "increased expression" or "overexpression" as used herein means any form of expression that is additional to the original wild-type expression level. For the purposes of this invention, the original wild-type expression level might also be zero, i.e. absence of expression or immeasurable expression.

Methods for increasing expression of genes or gene products are well documented in the art and include, for example, overexpression driven by appropriate promoters (as described herein before), the use of transcription enhancers or translation enhancers. Isolated nucleic acids which serve as promoter or enhancer elements may be introduced in an appropriate position (typically upstream) of a non- heterologous form of a polynucleotide so as to upregulate expression of a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide of interest. If polypeptide expression is desired, it is generally desirable to include a polyadenylation region at the 3'-end of a polynucleotide coding region. The polyadenylation region can be derived from the natural gene, from a variety of other plant genes, or from T-DNA. The 3' end sequence to be added may be derived from, for example, the nopaline synthase or octopine synthase genes, or alternatively from another plant gene, or less preferably from any other eukaryotic gene.

An intron sequence may also be added to the 5' untranslated region (UTR) or the coding sequence of the partial coding sequence to increase the amount of the mature message that accumulates in the cytosol. Inclusion of a spliceable intron in the transcription unit in both plant and animal expression constructs has been shown to increase gene expression at both the mRNA and protein levels up to 1000- fold (Buchman and Berg (1988) Mol. Cell biol. 8: 4395-4405; Callis et al. (1987) Genes Dev 1 :1 183- 1200). Such intron enhancement of gene expression is typically greatest when placed near the 5' end of the transcription unit. Use of the maize introns Adh1 -S intron 1 , 2, and 6, the Bronze-1 intron are known in the art. For general information see: The Maize Handbook, Chapter 1 16, Freeling and Walbot, Eds., Springer, N.Y. (1994).

The term "introduction" or "transformation" as referred to herein encompass the transfer of an exogenous polynucleotide or chimeric gene (or expression cassette) into a host cell, irrespective of the method used for transfer. Plant tissue capable of subsequent clonal propagation, whether by organogenesis or embryogenesis, may be transformed with a genetic construct of the present invention and a whole plant regenerated there from. The particular tissue chosen will vary depending on the clonal propagation systems available for, and best suited to, the particular species being transformed. Exemplary tissue targets include leaf disks, pollen, embryos, cotyledons, hypocotyls, megagametophytes, callus tissue, existing meristematic tissue (e.g., apical meristem, axillary buds, and root meristems), and induced meristem tissue (e.g., cotyledon meristem and hypocotyl meristem). The polynucleotide may be transiently or stably introduced into a host cell and may be maintained non-integrated, for example, as a plasmid. Alternatively, it may be integrated into the host genome. The resulting transformed plant cell may then be used to regenerate a transformed plant in a manner known to persons skilled in the art.

The transfer of foreign genes into the genome of a plant is called transformation. Transformation of plant species is now a fairly routine technique. Advantageously, any of several transformation methods may be used to introduce the gene of interest into a suitable ancestor cell. The methods described for the transformation and regeneration of plants from plant tissues or plant cells may be utilized for transient or for stable transformation. Transformation methods include the use of liposomes, electroporation, chemicals that increase free DNA uptake, injection of the DNA directly into the plant, particle gun bombardment, transformation using viruses or pollen and microprojection. Methods may be selected from the calcium/polyethylene glycol method for protoplasts (Krens, F.A. et al., (1982) Nature 296, 72-74; Negrutiu I et al. (1987) Plant Mol Biol 8: 363- 373); electroporation of protoplasts (Shillito R.D. et al. (1985) Bio/Technol 3, 1099-1 102); microinjection into plant material (Crossway A et al., (1986) Mol. Gen Genet 202: 179-185); DNA or RNA-coated particle bombardment (Klein TM et al., (1987) Nature 327: 70) infection with (non-integrative) viruses and the like. Transgenic plants, including transgenic crop plants, are preferably produced via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. An advantageous transformation method is the transformation in planta. To this end, it is possible, for example, to allow the agrobacteria to act on plant seeds or to inoculate the plant meristem with agrobacteria. It has proved particularly expedient in accordance with the invention to allow a suspension of transformed agrobacteria to act on the intact plant or at least on the flower primordia. The plant is subsequently grown on until the seeds of the treated plant are obtained (Clough and Bent, Plant J. (1998) 16, 735-743). Methods for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of rice include well known methods for rice transformation, such as those described in any of the following: European patent application EP1198985, Aldemita and Hodges (Planta 199: 612-617, 1996); Chan et al. (Plant Mol Biol 22 (3): 491 -506, 1993), Hiei et al. (Plant J 6 (2): 271 -282, 1994), which disclosures are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth. In the case of corn transformation, the preferred method is as described in either Ishida et al. (Nat. Biotechnol 14(6): 745-50, 1996) or Frame et al. (Plant Physiol 129(1): 13-22, 2002), which disclosures are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth. Said methods are further described by way of example in B. Jenes et al., Techniques for Gene Transfer, in: Transgenic Plants, Vol. 1 , Engineering and Utilization, eds. S.D. Kung and R. Wu, Academic Press (1993) 128-143 and in Potrykus Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Molec. Biol. 42 (1991) 205-225). The nucleic acids or the construct to be expressed is preferably cloned into a vector, which is suitable for transforming Agrobacterium tumefaciens, for example pBin19 (Bevan et al (1984) Nucl. Acids Res. 12-8711). Agrobacteria transformed by such a vector can then be used in known manner for the transformation of plants, such as plants used as a model, like Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana is within the scope of the present invention not considered as a crop plant), or crop plants such as, by way of example, tobacco plants, for example by immersing bruised leaves or chopped leaves in an agrobacterial solution and then culturing them in suitable media. The transformation of plants by means of Agrobacterium tumefaciens is described, for example, by Hofgen and Willmitzer in Nucl. Acid Res. (1988) 16, 9877 or is known inter alia from F.F. White, Vectors for Gene Transfer in Higher Plants; in Transgenic Plants, Vol. 1 , Engineering and Utilization, eds. S.D. Kung and R. Wu, Academic Press, 1993, pp. 15-38.

In addition to the transformation of somatic cells, which then have to be regenerated into intact plants, it is also possible to transform the cells of plant meristems and in particular those cells which develop into gametes. In this case, the transformed gametes follow the natural plant development, giving rise to transgenic plants. Thus, for example, seeds of Arabidopsis are treated with agrobacteria and seeds are obtained from the developing plants of which a certain proportion is transformed and thus transgenic [Feldman, KA and Marks MD (1987). Mol Gen Genet 208:1 -9; Feldmann K (1992). In: C Koncz, N-H Chua and J Shell, eds, Methods in Arabidopsis Research. Word Scientific, Singapore, pp. 274-289]. Alternative methods are based on the repeated removal of the inflorescences and incubation of the excision site in the center of the rosette with transformed agrobacteria, whereby transformed seeds can likewise be obtained at a later point in time (Chang (1994). Plant J. 5: 551 -558; Katavic (1994). Mol Gen Genet, 245: 363-370). However, an especially effective method is the vacuum infiltration method with its modifications such as the "floral dip" method. In the case of vacuum infiltration of Arabidopsis, intact plants under reduced pressure are treated with an agrobacterial suspension [Bechthold, N (1993). CR Acad Sci Paris Life Sci, 316: 1 194-1 199], while in the case of the "floral dip" method the developing floral tissue is incubated briefly with a surfactant-treated agrobacterial suspension [Clough, SJ and Bent AF (1998) The Plant J. 16, 735-743]. A certain proportion of transgenic seeds are harvested in both cases, and these seeds can be distinguished from non-transgenic seeds by growing under the abovedescribed selective conditions. In addition the stable transformation of plastids is of advantages because plastids are inherited maternally is most crops reducing or eliminating the risk of transgene flow through pollen. The transformation of the chloroplast genome is generally achieved by a process which has been schematically displayed in Klaus et al., 2004 [Nature Biotechnology 22 (2), 225-229]. Briefly the sequences to be transformed are cloned together with a selectable marker gene between flanking sequences homologous to the chloroplast genome. These homologous flanking sequences direct site specific integration into the plastome. Plastidal transformation has been described for many different plant species and an overview is given in Bock (2001) Transgenic plastids in basic research and plant biotechnology. J Mol Biol. 2001 Sep 21 ; 312 (3):425-38 or Maliga, P (2003) Progress towards commercialization of plastid transformation technology. Trends Biotechnol. 21 , 20-28. Further biotechnological progress has recently been reported in form of marker free plastid transformants, which can be produced by a transient co-integrated maker gene (Klaus et al., 2004, Nature Biotechnology 22(2), 225-229).

The genetically modified plant cells can be regenerated via all methods with which the skilled worker is familiar. Suitable methods can be found in the abovementioned publications by S.D. Kung and R. Wu, Potrykus or Hofgen and Willmitzer.

Generally after transformation, plant cells or cell groupings are selected for the presence of one or more markers which are encoded by plant-expressible genes co-transferred with the gene of interest, following which the transformed material is regenerated into a whole plant. To select transformed plants, the plant material obtained in the transformation is, as a rule, subjected to selective conditions so that transformed plants can be distinguished from untransformed plants. For example, the seeds obtained in the above-described manner can be planted and, after an initial growing period, subjected to a suitable selection by spraying. A further possibility consists in growing the seeds, if appropriate after sterilization, on agar plates using a suitable selection agent so that only the transformed seeds can grow into plants. Alternatively, the transformed plants are screened for the presence of a selectable marker such as the ones described above.

Following DNA transfer and regeneration, putatively transformed plants may also be evaluated, for instance using Southern analysis, for the presence of the gene of interest, copy number and/or genomic organisation. Alternatively or additionally, expression levels of the newly introduced DNA may be monitored using Northern and/or Western analysis, both techniques being well known to persons having ordinary skill in the art.

The generated transformed plants may be propagated by a variety of means, such as by clonal propagation or classical breeding techniques. For example, a first generation (or T1) transformed plant may be selfed and homozygous second-generation (or T2) transformants selected, and the T2 plants may then further be propagated through classical breeding techniques. The generated transformed organisms may take a variety of forms. For example, they may be chimeras of transformed cells and nontransformed cells; clonal transformants (e.g., all cells transformed to contain the expression cassette); grafts of transformed and untransformed tissues (e.g., in plants, a transformed rootstock grafted to an untransformed scion).

The present invention will now be illustrated by way of the following non-limiting Examples.

Examples Example 1: Preparation of Botrytis cinerea spores and mycelium for use as immunization agent, phage display and screening assays

Botrytis cinerea spore stock was produced by growing botrytis on Potato Dextrose Agar plates at 20°C with 60% relative humidity in the dark for up to 4 weeks. When sporulation was completed, plates were scraped and Botrytis material was suspended in sterile water containing Tween80 detergent. Spores were hereafter pelleted by centrifugation and washed three times with ultrapure water. Quantification of spore content of the stock was performed using a TC20 automated cell counter (BioRad).

For Botrytis cinerea mycelium formation Botrytis cinerea spores were inoculated in 2L baffled culture flasks containing 1x Potato Dextrose Broth and grown for 24h at 25°C in the dark, stationary. The mycelial growth for the batches was verified through microscopy. The mycelium was collected on a cell strainer, weighed, and diluted in Dulbecco’s PBS to 3.5 mg/ml.

For booster immunizations the spores were further homogenized by flash freezing and crushing with metallic beads.

Example 2: Identification of Botrytis cinerea antigen binding VHHs

For immunization purposes, the Botrytis cinerea antigen samples were mixed with 1 ml of Friend’s Incomplete Adjuvant and very well mixed prior to injection in llamas. Llamas were injected 3 times with B. cinerea spores and 3 times with homogenized B. cinerea spore material. All llamas remained healthy throughout the immunization process and blood samples were taken before and after immunizations.

For the library construction, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were prepared from blood samples of the immunized llamas using Ficoll-Hypaque according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Total RNA was extracted from these cells and used as starting material for RT-PCR to amplify VHH encoding gene fragments. These fragments were cloned into phagemid vector pASF20. pASF20 is an expression vector that is derived from pUC119 which contains the lacZ promotor, a synthetic leader sequence, a multiple cloning site, a coliphage pill protein coding sequence, a resistance gene for ampicillin, and an M13 phage origin for single strand production. In frame with the VHH coding sequence, the vector codes for a C- terminal (His)6 peptide tag and c-myc peptide tag. Phage were prepared according to standard methods (Phage Display of Peptides and Proteins: A Laboratory Manual; Brian K. Kay, Jill Winter, Dr. John McCafferty). Libraries with a clonal diversity equal to or greater than 1 E+08 were obtained and phage were produced ensuring presentation of the antibody diversity.

In first instance, germinated spores were used as antigen in an in-solution phage panning setup. Spores were incubated overnight at 8°C in potato dextrose broth (1xPDB) at a concentration of 1 E5 spores/ml, washed and blocked in 10% BSA. Blocked spores were then used as antigen to challenge the libraries. The enrichment of binders was assessed by panning against an irrelevant phagemid library and comparing the amount of eluted phage for the libraries with this negative control.

The setup in-solution panning setup was repeated, this time using mycelium as target antigen. B. cinerea spores were incubated overnight at 3E4 spores/ml or 3E5 spores/ml in 1x PDB at 20°C, ensuring mycelial growth. The fungal mycelium was washed and blocked in 10% BSA before challenging with the libraries and the appropriate controls.

Individual colonies of E. Coli TG1 cells infected with selected eluted phage pools obtained after the different rounds of panning selections were picked into 96-well plates, master plates (MP) containing 100 pl of 2xTY medium containing 2% glucose and 100 pg/ml carbenicillin per well and grown overnight at 37°C. The master plates were stored in 20% glycerol at -80°C and used for periplasmic extract production, screening and sequencing.

Example 3: Screening for VHHs binding to Botrytis cinerea

In order to further decrease the complexity of the VHH library derived from the phage display pannings, a flow cytometry assay was used to assess the binding of VHH extracted from bacterial periplasm to germinated Botrytis cinerea spores. The display vectors permit the inducible periplasmic expression of VHH as soluble C-terminally fused FLAG3 tagged proteins in E. coli strain TG1 . This affinity tag allows for easy detection of the VHH throughout the binding assay. Germinated spores (ON incubation at 4°C) were incubated with periplasmic extracts and detected via an Alexa 488 labelled anti-flag antibody. Only the spores bound to a VHH generate a signal and are thus detected by the BL1 channel of the FACS. Top binding candidates were further tested for bioactivity.

Example 4: VHH 36B08 inhibits the growth of Botrytis cinerea in a dose-dependent manner in an in vitro antifungal assay

VHH 36B08 was selected from the phage panning exercise as described in Examples 2 and 3 using germinated B. cinerea spores.

The antifungal activity of VHH 36B08 (SEQ ID NO: 1) was assessed in vitro against the plant pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea.

Two-fold dilutions of purified VHH were prepared in 96-well microtiter plates. To 20 pl of these dilutions and to 20 pl of water as a control, 80 pl of fungal spore suspension (1 E+05 spores/ml in half strength potato dextrose broth (PDB)) were added, starting with a final VHH concentration of 10 pM. The test plates were incubated for 36h at 25°C using the IncuCyte Zoom live cell imaging system. All tests were performed in at least 2 replicates.

The results of the antifungal activity assay, shown in Figure 1 , indicated a clear dose-dependent growth inhibition pattern, expressed as the % fungal growth (% confluency) over time in function of VHH concentration (pM).

Example 5: VHH shows cross activity against Colletotrichum musae

The antifungal activity of VHH 36B08 (SEQ ID NO: 1) was assessed in vitro against the plant pathogenic fungus Colletotrichum musae. In vitro assays were performed according to the set-up in Example 4 with a single 10 pM concentration of VHH. The results in Figure 2 represent the percent confluency compared to the untreated control at the mid-log timepoint. Results indicate an inhibiting effect of the VHH against Colletotrichum musae.

Example 6 : VHH 36B08 binds to TLE and Fraction 3 of Folch Lower phase extract In order to investigate the putative interaction partner of VHH 36B08 and its variants, lipids were extracted from Botrytis cinerea hyphae at room temperature using chloroform:methanol at 2:1 and 1 :2 (v/v) ratios. The extracts were combined and dried, and the crude lipid extract was partitioned as described by Folch et al (1957) J. Biol. Chem. 226:497-509. For the further fractionation of the total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography was used (TLC; Skipski et al (1965), Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 106(2): 386-396). The extract was spotted on a silica gel glass plate and run in a chromatography tank filled with 100 mL of the chloroform/methanol mixture (85/15, v/v). Lipid bands separated by TLC were stained with alpha- naphtol enabling visual detection of lipids. Four fractions were identified (Figure 3): Fraction 1 , the fraction of polar lipids; Fraction 2, with a Retention Factor (Rf) similar to the glucosylceramide reference standard (GlcCer from Tamogitake), likely to be ceramides; Fraction 3, with a slightly higher Rf than the reference standard; and Fraction 4, the non-polar phospholipids (PLs). For obtaining sufficient material from the separate Fractions, normal-phase flash chromatography can be used (Gorden, M.H. (2015). Encyclopedia of Analytical Science (Second edition), Elsevier). The TLE was therefore dissolved in CH2CI2 by addition of a few drops of MeOH and loaded onto a 4g normal phase flash cartridge with 15 pm particles. The column was run with CH2CI2/MeOH (85/15, v/v) as the eluent. Finally, Fractions were filtered through a 0.45 pm syringe filter (nylon membrane), and dried. Hereafter, liposomes from the true lipid extract and its individual fractions were prepared via the thin-film hydration method with the addition of 1 ,6-diphenyl-1 ,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) (Trucillo et al, 2020. Processes 8(9):1022; Zhang, 2017. Liposomes 1522:1 7-22). DPH is almost non-fluorescent in aqueous media and exhibits strong fluorescence when it is intercalated into lipid membranes. Any disruption of the lipid membranes would lead to a decrease in fluorescent signal. Hereafter, the interaction of VHH 36B08 with these liposomes was tested. The results in Figure 4 show that VHH 36B08 interacts with the lipids present in the total lipid extract (TLE) and Fraction 3. Moreover, this shows that VHH 36B08 leads to the breakage of the vesicles pointing towards an interesting effect of membrane disruption by VHH 36B08.

Example 7: Mode of action

The effect of VHH 36B08 on Botrytis cinerea spores was seen at the level of the spores that are inhibited in commencing spore outgrowth and surprisingly a substantial portion of spores are also lysed due to the VHH 36B08 activity as was witnessed by a sudden loss of structural integrity during microscopic timelapse imaging on the IncuCyte Zoom live cell imaging system (Figure 5). The action of VHH 36B08 disrupting liposomes (Example 6), further underscores lysing of spores can be attributed to the action of VHH 36B08.

Example 8: VHH shows cross activity against Alternaria brassisicola

The antifungal activity of VHH 36B08 (SEQ ID NO: 1) was assessed in vitro against the plant pathogenic fungus Alternaria brassisicola. In vitro assays were performed according to the set-up in Example 4 with a single 10 pM concentration of VHH. The results in Figure 6 represent the percent confluency compared to the untreated control at the mid-log timepoint. FCCP was used as a chemical positive control. Results indicate an inhibiting effect of the VHH against Alternaria brassisicola.

Statements (features) and embodiments of the polypeptides, compositions and methods as disclosed herein are set herebelow. Each of the statements and embodiments as disclosed by the invention so defined may be combined with any other statement and/or embodiment unless clearly indicated to the contrary. In particular, any feature indicated as being preferred or advantageous may be combined with any other feature or features indicated as being preferred or advantageous.

EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides at least the following numbered statements of invention:

1 . A polypeptide capable of binding to a fungus and causing retardation of growth of a spore of the said fungus and/or lysis of a spore of the said fungus.

2. The polypeptide of statement 1 , wherein the polypeptide binds to a membrane of a fungus or a component of a membrane of a fugus.

3. The polypeptide of any preceding statement, wherein the polypeptide does not bind to a cell wall or a component of a cell wall of a fungus.

4. The polypeptide of any preceding statement, wherein the polypeptide does not bind to a glucosylceramide of a fungus.

5. The polypeptide of any preceding statement, wherein the polypeptide binds a lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of a fungus, such as for example a lipid-containing fraction of Botrytis cinerea or other fungus.

6. The polypeptide of statement 5, wherein said lipid-containing is obtained by chromatography.

7. The polypeptide of statement 6, wherein the chromatography may be performed on a crude lipid extract obtained from fungal hyphae and/or conidia.

8. The polypeptide of statement 6 or statement 7, wherein the chromatography is thin-layer chromatography or normal-phase flash chromatography.

9. The polypeptide of statement 6 or statement 7 or statement 8, wherein the chromatography is performed on a substrate, for example a glass plate coated with silica gel.

10. The polypeptide of any of statements 6 to 9, wherein the chromatography is performed using a chloroform/methanol mixture (for example 85/15% v/v) as the eluent.

11. The polypeptide of any of statements 5 to 10, wherein said lipid-containing fraction may be obtained or obtainable by a method comprising fractionating hyphae and/or conidia of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

12. The polypeptide of any of statements 5 to 10, wherein the lipid-containing fraction may be obtained or obtainable by a method comprising fractionating hyphae and/or conidia of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography on a silica-coated glass slide using a chloroform/methanol mixture (for example 85/15% v/v) as the eluent and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

13. The polypeptide of any of statements 5 to 10, wherein said lipid-containing fraction may be obtained or obtainable by a method comprising fractionating hyphae and/or conidia of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract normal-phase flash chromatography, and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

14. The polypeptide of any of statements 5 to 10, wherein said lipid-containing fraction may be obtained or obtainable by a method comprising: fractionating hyphae and/or conidia of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract normal-phase flash chromatography comprising dissolving the TLE in dichloromethane (CH2CI2) and MeOH and using CFLCL/MeOH (for example 85/15%, v/v) as the eluent, followed by filtration of the fractions through a filter.

15. The polypeptide of any of statements 5 to 10, wherein said lipid-containing fraction may be obtained or obtainable by a method comprising fractionating hyphae and/or conidia of a fungus (for example Botrytis cinerea or other fungus) by total lipid extract normal-phase flash chromatography comprising dissolving the TLE in dichloromethane (CH2CI2) and MeOH loading the TLE on to a phase flash cartridge (for example a flash cartridge with 15 pm particles), running the column with CH2Cl2/MeOH (85/15%, v/v) as the eluent, and filtering the fractions through a filter (for example a 0.45 pm syringe filter with a nylon membrane) and drying the fractions.

16. The polypeptide of any of statements 5 to 15, wherein the fractions from the chromatography may be processed prior to testing of binding of the polypeptide to the fraction or of interaction with the fraction.

17. The polypeptide of statement 16, comprising preparing liposomes from the lipid-containing fraction.

18. The polypeptide of statement 17, wherein the method comprises thin-film hydration.

19. The polypeptide of statement 17 or statement 18, wherein the method preparing liposomes using thin-film hydration with the addition of 1 ,6-diphenyl-1 ,3,5-hexatriene (DPH).

20. A polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 , or a sequence having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 98% identity thereto, or a sequence having up to 1 , up to 2, up to 3, up to 4 or up to 5 amino acid substitutions thereto.

21. The polypeptide of statement 20, comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 , or a sequence having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 98% identity thereto.

22. A polypeptide comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 , or a sequence having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 98% identity thereto.

23. A polypeptide comprising: a CDR1 region comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2; a CDR2 region comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3; and a CDR3 region optionally comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4.

24. The polypeptide of statement 23, comprising: a framework region 1 (FR1) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out SEQ ID NO: 5, a framework region 2 (FR2) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 6, a framework region 3 (FR3) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 7, and a framework region 4 (FR4) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 8.

25. The polypeptide of any preceding statement, wherein the polypeptide is from 80 to 200 residues in length. 26. The polypeptide of any preceding statement, wherein the polypeptide is an antibody or a functional fragment thereof.

27. The polypeptide of any preceding statement, wherein the polypeptide is a heavy chain variable domain of an antibody (VH or VHH) or a functional fragment thereof.

28. The polypeptide of any one of statements 1 to 19 wherein the polypeptide is a polypeptide of any one of statements 20 to 27.

29. A composition comprising a polypeptide as defined in any preceding statement, or as defined in any one of statements 86 to 92.

30. The composition of statement 29, wherein the composition is an agrochemical composition.

31. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus, thereby causing retardation of growth of a spore of the said fungus and/or lysis of a spore of the fungus.

32. A composition according to statement 31 , wherein said at least one polypeptide specifically binds to at least one plasma membrane component of said fungus.

33. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, wherein said at least one polypeptide is capable of binding to a lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of Botrytis cinerea, said lipid-containing fraction being obtainable by a method comprising: fractionating hyphae of Botrytis cinerea by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

34. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% sequence identify thereto and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus.

35. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises a CDR1 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4 and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus.

36. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% sequence identify thereto and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus, wherein the polypeptide comprises one or more substitutions resulting in increased positive charge in comparison to SEQ ID NO: 1.

37. A composition according to any one statements 31 to 36, wherein the said at least one polypeptide is an antibody or a functional fragment thereof.

38. A composition according to any one of statements 31 to 37, wherein the said at least one polypeptide is a heavy chain variable domain of an antibody (VH or VHH) or a functional fragment thereof.

39. A composition according to any one of statements 34 to 38, wherein said at least one polypeptide specifically binds to at least one plasma membrane component of said fungus.

40. A composition according to statement 39, wherein said at least one polypeptide is capable of binding to a lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of Botrytis cinerea, said lipid- containing fraction being obtainable by a method comprising fractionating hyphae of Botrytis cinerea by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

41 . A composition according to any one of statements 29 to 40, wherein the concentration of said at least one polypeptide in said composition ranges from 0.0001% to 50% by weight.

42. A composition according to any one of statements 29 to 41 , which is an agrochemical composition.

43. A composition according to statement 42, which further comprises an agrochemically suitable carrier and/or one or more suitable adjuvants.

44. A polypeptide according to any one of statements 1 to 28 or a composition according to any one statements 29 to 43, wherein said fungus is a plant pathogenic fungus.

45. A polypeptide or composition according to statement 44, wherein the genus of said plant pathogenic fungus is chosen from the group comprising Alternaria, Ascochyta, Botrytis, Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Diplodia, Erysiphe, Fusarium, Leptosphaeria, Gaeumanomyces, Helminthosporium, Macrophomina, Nectria, Penicillium, Peronospora, Phoma, Phymatotrichum, Phytophthora, Plasmopara, Podosphaera, Puccinia, Pyrenophora, Pyricularia, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Scerotium, Sclerotinia, Septoria, Thielaviopsis, Uncinula, Venturia, Verticillium, Magnaporthe, Blumeria, Mycosphaerella, Ustilago, Melampsora, Phakospora, Monilinia, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Aspergillus.

46. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% sequence identify thereto and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus for use as an anti-fungal agent.

47. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises a CDR1 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4 and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus for use as an anti-fungal agent.

48. A composition according to any one of statements 29 to 60 for use as an anti-fungal agent.

49. A polypeptide according to any one of statements 1 to 28, 44 or 45, or 86 to 92, for use as an antifungal agent.

50. Use of a composition according to any one of statements 29 to 47, or a polypeptide of any one of statements 1 to 28, or 86 to 92, as an anti-fungal agent.

51 . Use according to statement 50 as an anti-fungal agent on plants.

52. A method for protecting or treating a plant or a part of said plant from an infection with a plant pathogenic fungus, at least comprising the step of applying directly or indirectly to said plant or to a part of said plant, a composition according to any one of statements 29 to 47 or a polypeptide of any one of statements 1 to 28, or 86 to 92, under conditions effective to protect or treat said plant or a part of said plant against said infection with said plant pathogenic fungus.

53. A post-harvest treatment method for protecting or treating a harvested plant or a harvested part of said plant from an infection with a plant pathogenic fungus, at least comprising the step of applying directly or indirectly to said harvested plant or to a harvested part of said plant, a composition according to any one of statements 29 to 47 or a polypeptide of any one of statements 1 to 28, or 86 to 92, under conditions effective to protect or treat said harvested plant or a harvested part of said plant against said infection with said plant pathogenic fungus.

54. A method of inhibiting or killing the growth of a plant pathogenic fungus, comprising at least the step of applying directly or indirectly to a plant or to a part of said plant, a composition according to any of one of statements 29 to 47 or a polypeptide of any one of statements 1 to 28, or 86 to 92.

55. A polypeptide as defined in any one of statements 29 to 47.

56. A method for the preparation of a polypeptide which specifically binds to and/or has affinity to a fungus, which method comprises: immunizing an animal with a fungal target, or with a suitable antigenic determinant based thereon or derived therefrom, such as an antigenic part thereof, a fragment thereof, a region thereof, a domain thereof, a loop thereof or other epitope thereof; obtaining from the immunized animal a collection or sample of cells expressing polypeptide sequences; screening the collection or sample of cells for cells that express an amino acid sequence that binds to and/or has affinity for the fungal target; either (i) isolating the amino acid sequence, or (ii) isolating from the collection or sample of cells a nucleic acid sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence; and expressing said amino acid sequence, thereby to prepare a polypeptide which specifically binds to and/or has affinity to a fungus.

57. A method according to statement 56, wherein the fungal target is a lipid-containing fraction obtained or obtainable according to a method as defined in any one of statements 6 to 19.

58. A method according to statement 56, wherein the fungal target is a lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of Botrytis cinerea, said lipid-containing fraction being obtainable by a method comprising: fractionating hyphae of Botrytis cinerea by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

59. A method for the preparation of an anti-fungal composition, which method comprises: preparing an anti-fungal polypeptide according to the method of any one of statements 56 to 58; and combining the anti-fungal polypeptide with one or more suitable carriers and/or one or more suitable adjuvants.

60. A transgenic plant, plant part, seed, or plant cell comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide as defined in any one of statements 1 to 28, or 86 to 92.

61. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% sequence identify thereto and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus.

62. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises a CDR1 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4 and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus.

63. A composition according to statement 61 or 62, wherein the said at least one polypeptide is an antibody or a functional fragment thereof.

64. A composition according to any one of statements 61 to 63, wherein the said at least one polypeptide is a heavy chain variable domain of an antibody (VH or VHH) or a functional fragment thereof. 65. A composition according to any one of statements 61 to 64, wherein said at least one polypeptide specifically binds to at least one plasma membrane component of said fungus.

66. A composition according to any one of statements 61 to 65, wherein the concentration of said at least one polypeptide in said composition ranges from 0.0001% to 50% by weight.

67. A composition according to any one of statements 61 to 66, which is an agrochemical composition.

68. A composition according to statement 67, which further comprises an agrochemically suitable carrier and/or one or more suitable adjuvants.

69. A composition or polypeptide according to any one of the preceding statements, wherein said fungus is a plant pathogenic fungus.

70. A composition or polypeptide according to statement 69, wherein the genus of said plant pathogenic fungus is chosen from the group comprising Alternaria, Ascochyta, Botrytis, Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Diplodia, Erysiphe, Fusarium, Leptosphaeria, Gaeumanomyces, Helminthosporium, Macrophomina, Nectria, Penicillium, Peronospora, Phoma, Phymatotrichum, Phytophthora, Plasmopara, Podosphaera, Puccinia, Pyrenophora, Pyricularia, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Scerotium, Sclerotinia, Septoria, Thielaviopsis, Uncinula, Venturia, Verticillium, Magnaporthe, Blumeria, Mycosphaerella, Ustilago, Melampsora, Phakospora, Monilinia, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Aspergillus.

71. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% sequence identify thereto and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus for use as an anti-fungal agent.

72. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises a CDR1 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4 and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus for use as an anti-fungal agent.

73. Use of a composition according to any of one of statements 61 to 72 as an anti-fungal agent.

74. Use according to statement 73 as an anti-fungal agent on plants.

75. A method for protecting or treating a plant or a part of said plant from an infection with a plant pathogenic fungus, at least comprising the step of applying directly or indirectly to said plant or to a part of said plant, a composition according to any one of statements 61 to 72, under conditions effective to protect or treat said plant or a part of said plant against said infection with said plant pathogenic fungus.

76. A post-harvest treatment method for protecting or treating a harvested plant or a harvested part of said plant from an infection with a plant pathogenic fungus, at least comprising the step of applying directly or indirectly to said harvested plant or to a harvested part of said plant, a composition according to any one of statements 61 to 72, under conditions effective to protect or treat said harvested plant or a harvested part of said plant against said infection with said plant pathogenic fungus.

77. A method of inhibiting or killing the growth of a plant pathogenic fungus, comprising at least the step of applying directly or indirectly to a plant or to a part of said plant, a composition according to any of one of statements 61 to 72. 78. A polypeptide as defined in any one of statements 61 to 72.

79. A method for the preparation of a polypeptide which specifically binds to and/or has affinity to a fungus, which method comprises: immunizing an animal with a fungal target, or with a suitable antigenic determinant based thereon or derived therefrom, such as an antigenic part thereof, a fragment thereof, a region thereof, a domain thereof, a loop thereof or other epitope thereof; obtaining from the immunized animal a collection or sample of cells expressing polypeptide sequences; screening the collection or sample of cells for cells that express an amino acid sequence that binds to and/or has affinity for the plant pest target; either (i) isolating the amino acid sequence, or (ii) isolating from the collection or sample of cells a nucleic acid sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence; and expressing said amino acid sequence, thereby to prepare a polypeptide which specifically binds to and/or has affinity to a fungus.

80. A method for the preparation of an anti-fungal composition, which method comprises: preparing an anti-fungal polypeptide according to the method of statement 79; and combining the anti-fungal polypeptide with one or more suitable carriers and/or one or more suitable adjuvants.

81. A transgenic plant, plant part, seed, or plant cell comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide as defined in any one of statements 61 to 72.

82. A nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide as defined in any one of statements 1 to 28, 44, 45 or 86 to 92.

83. A vector or plasmid comprising a nucleic acid of statement 82.

84. A host cell comprising a vector or plasmid of statement 83.

85. A method for the production of a polypeptide, comprising culturing a host cell of statement 84 under conditions to induce expression of the vector or plasmid, and optionally isolating the polypeptide from the culture medium or fermentation broth.

86. The polypeptide according to any one or more of statements 1 to 28, 44 or 45, or as defined in any one or more of statements 29 to 47 or 61 to 72, which comprises a variable domain of a heavy chain antibody (VHH).

87. The polypeptide according to statement 86, wherein the VHH comprises a CDR1 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4.

88. The polypeptide according to statement 86 or statement 87, wherein the VHH comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 , or a sequence having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 98% identity thereto.

89. The polypeptide according to statement 86 or statement 87, wherein the VHH comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 .

90. The polypeptide according to statement 86 or statement 87, wherein the VHH comprises

(a) a framework region 1 (FR1) amino acid sequence as set out in SEQ ID NO: 5, or a sequence having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% identity thereto,

(b) a framework region 2 (FR2) amino acid sequence as set out in SEQ ID NO: 6, or a sequence having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% identity thereto,

(c) a framework region 3 (FR3) amino acid sequence as set out in SEQ ID NO: 7, or a sequence having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% identity thereto, and (d) a framework region 4 (FR4) amino acid sequence as set out in SEQ ID NO: 8, or a sequence having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% identity thereto. A polypeptide comprising a variable domain of a heavy chain antibody (VHH), wherein the VHH is capable of binding to a plant pathogenic fungus, wherein the VHH comprises a CDR1 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4. The polypeptide according to statement 91 , wherein the VHH comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 , or a sequence having at least 90% identity thereto.

Claims

1. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus, thereby causing retardation of growth of a spore of the said fungus and/or lysis of a spore of the fungus.

2. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one polypeptide specifically binds to at least one plasma membrane component of said fungus.

3. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, wherein said at least one polypeptide is capable of binding to a lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of Botrytis cinerea, said lipid- containing fraction being obtainable by a method comprising: fractionating hyphae of Botrytis cinerea by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

4. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% sequence identify thereto and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus.

5. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises a CDR1 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region, optionally wherein the CDR3 region has as the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4, and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus.

6. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises a CDR1 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4 and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus.

7. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 , or an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% sequence identify thereto and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus, wherein the polypeptide comprises one or more substitutions resulting in increased positive charge in comparison to SEQ ID NO: 1.

8. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said at least one polypeptide is an antibody or a functional fragment thereof.

9. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said at least one polypeptide is a heavy chain variable domain of an antibody (VH or VHH) or a functional fragment thereof.

76

10. A composition according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein said at least one polypeptide specifically binds to at least one plasma membrane component of said fungus.

11. A composition according to claim 10, wherein said at least one polypeptide is capable of binding to a lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of Botrytis cinerea, said lipid-containing fraction being obtainable by a method comprising: fractionating hyphae of Botrytis cinerea by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

12. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the concentration of said at least one polypeptide in said composition ranges from 0.0001% to 50% by weight.

13. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, which is an agrochemical composition.

14. A composition according to claim 13, which further comprises an agrochemically suitable carrier and/or one or more suitable adjuvants.

15. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fungus is a plant pathogenic fungus.

16. A composition according to claim 15, wherein the genus of said plant pathogenic fungus is chosen from the group comprising Alternaria, Ascochyta, Botrytis, Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Diplodia, Erysiphe, Fusarium, Leptosphaeria, Gaeumanomyces, Helminthosporium, Macrophomina, Nectria, Penicillium, Peronospora, Phoma, Phymatotrichum, Phytophthora, Plasmopara, Podosphaera, Puccinia, Pyrenophora, Pyricularia, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Scerotium, Sclerotinia, Septoria, Thielaviopsis, Uncinula, Venturia, Verticillium, Magnaporthe, Blumeria, Mycosphaerella, Ustilago, Melampsora, Phakospora, Monilinia, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Aspergillus.

17. The composition according to any of one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one polypeptide comprises a variable domain of a heavy chain antibody (VHH).

18. The composition according to claim 17, wherein the VHH comprises a CDR1 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4.

19. The composition according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the VHH comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 , or an amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity thereto.

20. The composition according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the VHH comprises

77 (a) a framework region 1 (FR1) amino acid sequence as set out in SEQ ID NO: 5, or a sequence having at least 80% identity thereto,

(b) a framework region 2 (FR2) amino acid sequence as set out in SEQ ID NO: 6, or a sequence having at least 80% identity thereto,

(c) a framework region 3 (FR3) amino acid sequence as set out in SEQ ID NO: 7, or a sequence having at least 80% identity thereto, and

(d) a framework region 4 (FR4) amino acid sequence as set out in SEQ ID NO: 8, or a sequence having at least 80% identity thereto.

21. A composition comprising a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 , or a sequence having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 98% identity thereto, or a sequence having up to 1 , up to 2, up to 3, up to 4 or up to 5 amino acid substitutions thereto.

22. The composition of claim 21 , comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 , or a sequence having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 98% identity thereto.

23. A composition comprising a polypeptide comprising: a CDR1 region comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2; a CDR2 region comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3; and a CDR3 region optionally comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4.

24. The composition of claim 23, comprising: a framework region 1 (FR1) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out SEQ ID NO: 5, a framework region 2 (FR2) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 6, a framework region 3 (FR3) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 7, and a framework region 4 (FR4) sequence comprising or consisting of the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 8.

25. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 , or an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% sequence identify thereto and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus for use as an anti-fungal agent.

26. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises a CDR1 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region, optionally wherein the CDR3 region has as the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4, and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus for use as an anti-fungal agent.

27. A composition comprising at least one polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises a CDR1 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDR2 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a CDR3 region having the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 4 and which polypeptide is capable of binding to a fungus for use as an anti-fungal agent.

28. Use of a composition according to any of one of the preceding claims as an anti-fungal agent.

29. Use according to claim 28 as an anti-fungal agent on plants.

30. A method for protecting or treating a plant or a part of said plant from an infection with a plant pathogenic fungus, at least comprising the step of applying directly or indirectly to said plant or to a part of said plant, a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 27, under conditions effective to protect or treat said plant or a part of said plant against said infection with said plant pathogenic fungus.

31. A post-harvest treatment method for protecting or treating a harvested plant or a harvested part of said plant from an infection with a plant pathogenic fungus, at least comprising the step of applying directly or indirectly to said harvested plant or to a harvested part of said plant, a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 27, under conditions effective to protect or treat said harvested plant or a harvested part of said plant against said infection with said plant pathogenic fungus.

32. A method of inhibiting or killing the growth of a plant pathogenic fungus, comprising at least the step of applying directly or indirectly to a plant or to a part of said plant, a composition according to any of one of claims 1 to 27.

33. A polypeptide as defined in any one of claims 1 to 27.

34. A method for the preparation of a polypeptide which specifically binds to and/or has affinity to a fungus, which method comprises: immunizing an animal with a fungal target, or with a suitable antigenic determinant based thereon or derived therefrom, such as an antigenic part thereof, a fragment thereof, a region thereof, a domain thereof, a loop thereof or other epitope thereof; obtaining from the immunized animal a collection or sample of cells expressing polypeptide sequences; screening the collection or sample of cells for cells that express an amino acid sequence that binds to and/or has affinity for the fungal target; either (i) isolating the amino acid sequence, or (ii) isolating from the collection or sample of cells a nucleic acid sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence; and expressing said amino acid sequence, thereby to prepare a polypeptide which specifically binds to and/or has affinity to a fungus.

35. A method according to claim 34, wherein the fungal target is a lipid-containing fraction of the plasma membrane of Botrytis cinerea, said lipid-containing fraction being obtainable by a method comprising:

79 fractionating hyphae of Botrytis cinerea by total lipid extract thin-layer chromatography and selecting the fraction with a Retention Factor (Rf) higher than the ceramide fraction and lower than the non-polar phospholipids fraction.

36. A method for the preparation of an anti-fungal composition, which method comprises: preparing an anti-fungal polypeptide according to the method of claim 34 or 35; and combining the anti-fungal polypeptide with one or more suitable carriers and/or one or more suitable adjuvants.

37. A transgenic plant, plant part, seed, or plant cell comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide as defined in any one of claims 1 to 27.