Abstract: A synthetic peptide of the formula: H-.sub.D -A.sub.1 -Leu-Lys-NH ##STR1## wherein A.sub.1 is Pro or Ala, is excellent in solubility in water and substrate specificity and is suitable as a substrate for determining trypsin and .alpha..sub.1 -antitrypsin.

Abstract: Kedarcidin is a protein antitumor antibiotic produced by Streptoalloteichus sp. nov. strain L585-6, ATCC 53650. The antibiotic comprises a non-protein chromophore and a single chain polypeptide having 114 amino acid residues.

Abstract: Histamine derivatives are disclosed which find use as effect and tissue-specific immune modulators. Specifically, the primary terminal nitrogen in histamine is derivatized to introduce a variable length side chain having 0 to 1 branch of from 1 to 3 carbons; 0 to 2 non-oxo-carbonyl groups; 0 to 4 heteroatoms, other than the non-oxo carbonyl oxygen; 0 to 1 aryl or alkyl-aryl group; and 0 to 1 functionally bound amino acid, polypeptide, or protein or derivative thereof.

Abstract: A technique has been developed to cause a mammal to generate antibodies which will bind to its native GnRH thus suppressing the mammal's fertility. The technique involves vaccinating a mammal with a novel conjugate of an immuno stimulating carrier and a novel GnRH analogue. The analogue is substantially identical to the natural GnRH which is common to all mammals except that one or more of the normally occurring amino acids of this decapeptide have been replaced by an amino acid with a more reactive side group. A favored technique is to utilize an analogue containing cysteine which, of course, has as a sulfhydryl side group. This analogue may then be conjugated to a large protein carrier using a heterobifunctional agent carrying a group reactive with carboxyl or amino groups and a group reactive with sulfhydryl groups. This conjugate then forms the immunogen base for a vaccine which may also contain art recognized adjuvants.

Abstract: Peptide ester and amide derivatives of the general formula I: ##STR1## in which X is H or an acyl, A and B are structurally defined amino acid residues, n is an integer of from 1 to 3, R.sup.1 is H or a lower alkyl and either R.sup.2 or C is a defined optionally modified amino acid residue and the other is a lower alkoxyl, an amino group or a direct chemical bond, are converted under physiologic conditions, by enzymic hydrolysis in pathologically altered tissues and subsequent spontaneous cyclization, into pharmacodynamically active spirocyclic peptide derivatives of the general formula III: ##STR2## in which R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are H atoms, optionally substituted alkyl groups or jointly an aliphatic chain forming preferably a 2,5- piperazinedione ring, and hence can act as pro-farmaca (drug precursors) of prolonged biological effect.

Abstract: A synthetic peptide of the formula: ##STR1## wherein A.sub.1 is Pro or Ala, is excellent in solubility in water and substrate specificitity and is suitable as a substrate for determining trypsin and .alpha..sub.1 -antitrypsin.

Abstract: A composition and method for treating thrombotic disorders. The composition comprises a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence corresponding to the sequence of the amino acid residues in the EGF domain of Factor IX, or a subsequence thereof. Such peptides compete with coagulation Factors IX and IXa for endothelial binding cites and thereby inhibit thrombosis formation.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptides which have the following amino acid sequence:(.gamma.-Glu-Cys).sub.n -.beta.-Alan being an integer from 2 to 11;.gamma.-Glu represents .gamma.-glutamic acid;Cys represents cysteine; and.beta.-Ala represents .beta.-alanine.A process for the preparation of these peptides is disclosed as well as processes for their use for the maintenance of hemeostasis in physiological systems, the diagnosis of tumors, and the removal of heavy metals from a chemical or physiological system which has been contaminated with heavy metal.