Abstract: A method for managing withdrawal from an addictive substance is described. The method involves administering one or more peptides having specific activity for the ? and/or ? isozyme of protein kinase C (PKC). The peptide(s) can be administered prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to administration of the addictive substance. Also described is a kit having at least one container containing a peptide having isozyme-specific activity for ?PKC or ?PKC and instructions for use.

Abstract: A method for reducing the risk of stroke in a subject with hypertension is described. The method includes administering an inhibitor of delta protein kinase C (PKC) to the subject. Also described is a method for improving the survival from stroke in a subject with chronic hypertension by treating the subject with an inhibitor of delta PKC.

Abstract: A method of reducing damage to cells and tissue caused by an ischemic or hypoxic event is disclosed. The method includes administering to the cell or tissue, either in vivo or ex vivo, ??RACK peptide. The peptide can be administered before, during or after the ischemic or hypoxic event.

Abstract: A method of reducing damage to cells and tissue caused by an ischemic or hypoxic event is disclosed. The method includes administering to the cell or tissue, either in vivo or ex vivo, ??RACK peptide. The peptide can be administered before, during or after the ischemic or hypoxic event.

Abstract: Methods for reducing injury to a transplanted mammalian organ or tissue, including inhibiting the development of graft blood vessel disease, are provided. In one form, a method includes administering compositions that include one or more PKC regulators to an organ or tissue donor and an organ or tissue recipient. Methods for decreasing or otherwise modulating an inflammatory response in a mammal are also provided. In one form, a method includes administering one or more regulators of protein kinase C to a patient in need thereof prior to, during or after an event giving rise to an inflammatory response. Methods for inhibiting, or otherwise modulating, a pro-apoptotic event are also provided. In one form, a method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of an agonist of ? protein kinase C, and optionally an inhibitor of ? protein kinase C.

Abstract: Methods of increasing blood flow in a mammalian brain blood vessel characterized by, or otherwise experiencing, decreased blood flow due to an ischemic or other hypoxic event, vasoconstriction or vasospasm following hemorrhagic stroke; due to chronic high blood pressure; and/or due to idiopathic causes are provided. The method for increasing blood flow in such a mammalian brain blood vessel includes administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of ? protein kinase C. In certain embodiments, the inhibitor can be chronically administered without causing desensitization of the patient to the inhibitor. Kits for increasing blood flow in a mammalian brain blood vessel characterized by, or otherwise experiencing, decreased blood flow due to an ischemic or other hypoxic event, vasoconstriction or vasospasm following hemorrhagic stroke; due to chronic high blood pressure; and/or due to idiopathic causes are provided.

Abstract: Methods for modulating the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a cell or tissue by administering compounds that modulate the activity of ?PKC are described. In one embodiment, the level of ROS is decreased by administering a peptide effective to inhibit the activity of ?PKC. In another embodiment, the level of ROS is increased by administering a peptide having activity to agonize the activity of ?PKC. Also described are methods to treat or inhibit development of conditions preceded by or exacerbated by an increased level of ROS, such as arteriosclerosis and inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: PKC V5 isozyme-specific peptides are described. The sequences and compositions comprising the sequences are useful for treating diseases states associated with the PKC isozyme from which they are respectively derived. Methods of treatment, pharmaceutical formulations and methods of identifying compounds that mimic the activity of the peptides are also described.

Abstract: A method for managing withdrawal from an addictive substance is described. The method involves administering one or more peptides having specific activity for the ? and/or ? isozyme of protein kinase C (PKC). The peptide(s) can be administered prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to administration of the addictive substance. Also described is a kit having at least one container containing a peptide having isozyme-specific activity for ?PKC or ?PKC and instructions for use.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for identifying a site of protein-protein interaction in a polypeptide. In general, the method involves calculating the difference in property scores between amino acids of a corresponding pair of amino acids on two homologous polypeptides, and identifying a window of contiguous amino acids that have a significant difference in property scores. The contiguous amino acids are predicted to be sites of protein-protein interactions. The invention provides computer systems for performing the methods. The subject methods and computer systems find application in identifying modulators of protein-protein interactions that can serve as inhibitors or activators of the protein from which it was derived, and, as such, find use in a variety or medical and research applications, including drug discovery.

Abstract: A method of changing or otherwise converting the biological activity of a PKC peptide agonist to a peptide antagonist is described. The method involves substituting one or more amino acid residues so as to effect a change in charge in the peptide and/or to otherwise make the sequence similar to a sequence derived from the PKC binding site on the RACK protein for the respective PKC enzyme. Methods of inhibiting the activity of a PKC enzyme, and various peptide antagonists of ?PKC are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for managing withdrawal from an addictive substance is described. The method involves administering one or more peptides having specific activity for the ? and/or ? isozyme of protein kinase C (PKC). The peptide(s) can be administered prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to administration of the addictive substance. Also described is a kit having at least one container containing a peptide having isozyme-specific activity for ?PKC or ?PKC and instructions for use.

Abstract: The present invention provides screening methods for identifying agents that modulate the activity of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (AldDH2), as well as agents identified by the screening methods. The present invention further provides methods of reducing ischemic tissue damage or free-radical induced damage in an organ, the methods generally involving contacting the organ with an agent that increases AldDH2 levels and/or activity. The present invention further provides methods of treating solid tumors, the methods generally involving administering an agent that decreases AldDH2 levels and/or activity.

Abstract: A method for managing withdrawal from an addictive substance is described. The method involves administering one or more peptides having specific activity for the ? and/or ? isozyme of protein kinase C (PKC). The peptide(s) can be administered prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to administration of the addictive substance. Also described is a kit having at least one container containing a peptide having isozyme-specific activity for ?PKC or ?PKC and instructions for use.

Abstract: Peptides able to inhibit or activate the translocation or function of ?PKC are identified. Administration of the peptides for protection or enhancement of cell damage due to ischemia is described. Therapeutic methods to reduce damage to cells or to enhance damage to cells due to ischemia are also described, as well as methods for screening test compounds for ?PKC-selective agonists and antagonists.

Abstract: Peptides able to inhibit or activate the translocation or function of &dgr;PKC are identified. Administration of the peptides for protection or enhancement of cell damage due to ischemia is described. Therapeutic methods to reduce damage to cells or to enhance damage to cells due to ischemia are also described, as well as methods for screening test compounds for &dgr;PKC-selective agonists and antagonists.

Abstract: A method of reducing damage to cells and tissue caused by an ischemic or hypoxic event is disclosed. The method includes administering to the cell or tissue, either in vivo or ex vivo, &psgr;&egr;RACK peptide. The peptide can be administered before, during or after the ischemic or hypoxic event.

Abstract: A method for managing withdrawal from an addictive substance is described. The method involves administering one or more peptides having specific activity for the &egr; and/or &ggr; isozyme of protein kinase C (PKC). The peptide(s) can be administered prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to administration of the addictive substance. Also described is a kit having at least one container containing a peptide having isozyme-specific activity for &egr;PKC or &ggr;PKC and instructions for use.

Abstract: PKC V5 isozyme-specific peptides are described. The sequences and compositions comprising the sequences are useful for treating disease states associated with the PKC isozyme from which they are respectively derived. Methods of treatment, pharmaceutical formulations and methods of identifying compounds that mimic the activity of the peptides are also described.

Abstract: Peptide sequences derived from the V5 domain of isozymes of protein kinase C for use in pain management are described. Also described are compositions comprising the peptides for treating pain and/or inducing analgesia. Methods of pain treatment and methods of identifying compounds that mimic the activity of the peptides are also described.