Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds which bind to Beta Trans-ducin repeat-containing protein (?TrCP), and modulate the activity of ?TrCP. In particular, the invention relates to compounds which demonstrate optimised binding to PTrCP. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and the use of such compounds as medicaments, specifically for the treatment of disorders associated with aberrant protein degradation, such as cancer. The preferred binding inhibitors are peptides derived from the motive DSGXXS, e.g. DEGFWE, DDGFWD and Succinyl-EGFWE.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds which bind to Beta Trans-ducin repeat-containing protein (PTrCP), and modulate the activity of 13TrCP. In particular, the invention relates to compounds which demonstrate optimised binding to PTrCP. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and the use of such compounds as medicaments, specifically for the treatment of disorders associated with aberrant protein degradation, such as cancer. The preferred binding inhibitors are peptides derived from the motive DSGXXS, e.g. DEGFWE, DDGFWD and Succinyl-EGFWE.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials for use in increasing HSP20 activation in a biological system, for example by increasing phosphorylation of Ser16 of HSP20. In one aspect, the invention provides a method for increasing HSP20 activation in a biological system, comprising contacting the system with an antagonist capable of inhibiting PDE4 binding to HSP20, the antagonist comprising or consisting essentially of a fragment of PDE4 or an analogue thereof. In a further aspect the invention provides a method of screening for an agent able to increase activation of HSP20. A preferred antagonist has a C-terminal lysine residue.