Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed I-conotoxins herein), about 30-50 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include four disulfide bonds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of conantokin peptides, conantokin peptide derivatives and conantokin peptide chimeras, referred to collectively as conantokins, having 10-30 amino acids, including preferably two or more &ggr;-carboxyglutamic acid residues, for the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as anticonvulsant agents, neuroprotective agents or analgesic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of &agr;-conotoxin peptides having the general formula Xaa1-Xaa2-Cys-Cys-Xaa3-Xaa4-Pro-Xaa5-Cys-Xaa6-Xaa7-Xaa8-Xaa9-Xaa10-Xaa11-Xaa12-Cys (SEQ ID NO:1) for treating disorders regulated at neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Such disorders include, but are not limited to, cardiovascular disorders, gastric motility disorders, urinary incontinence, nicotine addiction, mood disorders (such as bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, dysthymia and seasonal effective disorder) and small cell lung carcinoma, as well as the localization of small cell lung carcinoma. In this formula, Xaa1 is des-Xaa1, Tyr, mono-iodo-Tyr or di-iodo-Tyr, Xaa2 is any amino acid, Xaa3 is any amino acid, Xaa4 is any amino acid, Xaa5 is any amino acid; Xaa6 is any amino acid, Xaa7 is any amino acid, Xaa8 is any amino acid, Xaa9 is des-Xaa9 or any amino acid, Xaa10 is des-Xaa10 or any amino acid, Xaa11 is des-Xaa11 or any amino acid and Xaa2 is des-Xaa12 or any amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of conantokin peptides, conantokin peptide derivatives and conantokin peptide chimeras, referred to collectively as conantokins, having 10-30 amino acids, including preferably two or more &ggr;-carboxyglutamic acid residues, for the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as pain, e.g., as an analgesic agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed &agr;-conotoxins herein), about 10-25 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds. The &agr;-conotoxins, as described herein, are useful for as neuromuscular blocking agents, such as muscle relaxants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of &agr;-conotoxin peptides having the general formula Xaa1-Xaa2-Cys-Cys-Xaa3-Xaa4-Pro-Xaa5-Cys-Xaa6-Cys (SEQ ID NO: 1) for treating disorders regulated at neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Such disorders include, but are not limited to, cardiovascular disorders, gastric motility disorders, urinary incontinence, nicotine addiction, mood disorders (such as bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, dysthymia and seasonal effective disorder) and small cell lung carcinoma, as well as the localization of small cell lung carcinoma. In this formula, Xaa1 is des-Xaa1, Tyr, mono-iodo-Tyr or di-iodo-Tyr, Xaa2 is any amino acid, Xaa3 is any amino acid, Xaa4 is any amino acid, Xaa5 is any amino acid and Xaa6 represents a peptide of 3-7 amino acids. Disulfide linkages exist between the first and third cysteines and the second and fourth cysteines. Pro may be replaced with hydroxy-Pro. The C-terminus may contain a hydroxyl or an amide group, preferably an amide group.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of conantokin peptides, conantokin peptide derivatives and conantokin peptide chimeras, referred to collectively as conantokins, having 10-30 amino acids, including preferably two or more &ggr;-carboxyglutamic acid residues, for the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as anticonvulsant agents, neuroprotective agents or analgesic agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to conotoxin peptides having 25-35 amino acids, six cysteines which form three disulfide bonds between the first and fourth, second and fifth, and third and sixth cysteines, respectively. The invention is directed to .delta.-conotoxin GmVIA having the formula Val-Lys-Pro-Cys-Arg-Lys-Glu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Cys-Asp-Pro-Ile-Phe-Gln-Asn-Cys-Cy s-Arg-Gly-Trp-Asn-Cys-Val-Leu-Phe-Cys-Val (SEQ ID NO:1). This peptide activates sodium channels. The invention is further directed to .mu.O-conotoxin peptides of the generic formula Ala-Cys-Xaa.sub.1 -Lys-Lys-Trp-Glu-Tyr-Cys-Ile-Val-Pro-Ile-Xaa.sub.2 -Gly-Phe-Xaa.sub.3 -Tyr-Cys-Cys-Pro-Gly-Leu-Ile-Cys-Gly-Pro-Phe-Val-Cys-Val, wherein Xaa.sub.1 is Arg or Ser, Xaa.sub.2 is Ile or Leu and Xaa.sub.3 is Ile or Val (SEQ ID NO:2). These peptides block sodium channels. Examples of .mu.

Abstract: Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are believed to mediate nicotine addiction. In addition, stimulation of nAChRs modulates release of neurotransmitters including dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Thus, pharmacological manipulation of nicotinic receptors has implications for a wide variety of disorders including psychotic, mood, movement and cognitive. For most nAChRs, there are no subtype selective ligands. However, .alpha.-conotoxin MII, a small peptide from the carnivorous marine snail Conus magus, was recently isolated. This peptide has been shown to be a specific antagonist for .alpha.3.beta.2 nicotinic receptors. The peptide potently blocks part, but not all, of nicotine-stimulated dopamine release from rat brain striatal synaptosomes. In contrast it has no effect on potassium stimulated dopamine release. Other .alpha.-conotoxins specifically target distinct neuronal nAChR subtypes. .alpha.-Conotoxins thus represent new lead compounds for CNS disorders.

Abstract: Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are believed to mediate nicotine addiction. In addition, stimulation of nAChRs modulates release of neurotransmitters including dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Thus, pharmacological manipulation of nicotinic receptors has implications for a wide variety of disorders including psychotic, mood, movement and cognitive. For most nAChRs, there are no subtype selective ligands. However, .alpha.-conotoxin MII, a small peptide from the carnivorous marine snail Conus magus, was recently isolated. This peptide has been shown to be a specific antagonist for .alpha.3.beta.2 nicotinic receptors. The peptide potently blocks part, but not all, of nicotine-stimulated dopamine release from rat brain striatal synaptosomes. In contrast it has no effect on potassium stimulated dopamine release. Other .alpha.-conotoxins specifically target distinct neuronal nAChR subtypes. .alpha.-Conotoxins thus represent new lead compounds for CNS disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to conopeptides having 6-45 amino acids, including one or more bromo-tryptophan residues. More specifically, the present invention is directed to conopeptides having the general formula: R-(Cys).sub.n -R.sup.1 -B-R.sup.2 -Cys-R.sup.3, wherein R is a peptide chain of 0-24 amino acids, R.sup.1 is a peptide chain of 0 to 31 amino acids, R.sup.2 is a peptide chain of 0-29 amino acids, R.sup.3 is a peptide chain of 0 to 26 amino acids, B is 6-bromo-tryptophan, n is 0 or 1 and the total length of the conopeptide is from about 6 to about 45 amino acids. The invention also includes pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the conopeptides. These bromo-tryptophan containing conopeptides invention are useful as antihelminthic agents, anti-vomiting agents, sleep-inducing agents, adjuncts to anesthesia, anticonvulsant or neuroprotective agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to relatively short peptides about 14-17 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogs to the naturally available peptides, and which include two cyclizing disulfide linkages. More specifically, the present invention is directed to conopeptides having the general formula: Gly-Cys-Cys-Ser-Tyr-Xaa.sub.1 -Xaa.sub.1 -Cys-Phe-Ala-Thr-Asn-Xaa.sub.2 -Xaa.sub.3 -Xaa.sub.4 -Cys (SEQ ID NO: 1), wherein Xaa.sub.1 is Pro or Hyp (trans-4-hydroxy-Pro), Xaa.sub.2 is Ser, Pro or Hyp, Xaa.sub.3 is Gly or Asp and Xaa.sub.4 is a Tyr or des- Xaa.sub.4. The disulfide bridges are between the first and third between the second fourth cysteine residues. The C-terminal end is preferably amidated.

Abstract: Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are believed to mediate nicotine addiction. In addition, stimulation of nAChRs modulates release of neurotransmitters including dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Thus, pharmacological manipulation of nicotinic receptors has implications for a wide variety of disorders including psychotic, mood, movement and cognitive. For most nAChRs, there are no subtype selective ligands. However, .alpha.-conotoxin MII, a small peptide from the carnivorous marine snail Conus magus, was recently isolated. This peptide has been shown to be a specific antagonist for .alpha.3.beta.2 nicotinic receptors. The peptide potently blocks part, but not all, of nicotine-stimulated dopamine release from rat brain striatal synaptosomes. In contrast it has no effect on potassium stimulated dopamine release. Other .alpha.-conotoxins specifically target distinct neuronal nAChR subtypes. .alpha.-Conotoxins thus represent new lead compounds for CNS disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to conotoxin peptides having 25-35 amino acids, six cysteines which form three disulfide bonds between the first and fourth, second and fifth, and third and sixth cysteines, respectively. The invention is directed to .delta.-conotoxin GmVIA having the formula Val-Lys-Pro-Cys-Arg-Lys-Glu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Cys-Asp-Pro-Ile-Phe-Gln-Asn-Cys-Cy s-Arg-Gly-Trp-Asn-Cys-Val-Leu-Phe-Cys-Val (SEQ ID NO:1). This peptide activates sodium channels. The invention is further directed to .mu.O-conotoxin peptides of the generic formula Ala-Cys-Xaa.sub.1 -Lys-Lys-Trp-Glu-Tyr-Cys-Ile-Val-Pro-Ile-Xaa.sub.2 -Gly-Phe-Xaa.sub.3 -Tyr-Cys-Cys-Pro-Gly-Leu-Ile-Cys-Gly-Pro-Phe-Val-Cys-Val, wherein Xaa.sub.1 is Arg or Ser, Xaa.sub.2 is Ile or Leu and Xaa.sub.3 is Ile or Val (SEQ ID NO:2). These peptides block sodium charmels. Examples of .mu.

Abstract: The invention is directed to A-lineage conotoxin peptides, which are conotoxin peptides that have strong homology in the signal sequence and the 3'-untranslated region of the genes coding for these peptides to the sequences in the .alpha.-conotoxin peptides. The A-lineage conotoxin peptides include the .alpha.-conotoxin peptides, the .alpha.-conotoxin-like peptides and the .kappa.-conotoxin peptides, described further below. The .alpha.-conotoxin-peptides generally share a "core" sequence motif. This core sequence is termed the .alpha.3/5 core and is represented as Cys-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa- Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys (SEQ ID NO:1). The .alpha.-conotoxin-like peptides generally share a core sequence termed the .alpha.4/7 core and is represented as Cys-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys-Xaa- Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys (SEQ ID NO:2). The .kappa.-conotoxin peptides generally have a core sequence termed the .kappa.

Abstract: The invention is directed to A-lineage conotoxin peptides, which are conotoxin peptides that have strong homology in the signal sequence and the 3'-untranslated region of the genes coding for these peptides to the sequences in the .alpha.-conotoxin peptides. The A-lineage conotoxin peptides include the .alpha.-conotoxin peptides, the .alpha.-conotoxin-like peptides and the .kappa.-conotoxin peptides, described further below. The .alpha.-conotoxin-peptides generally share a "core" sequence motif. This core sequence is termed the .alpha.3/5 core and is represented as Cys-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys (SEQ ID NO: 1). The .alpha.-conotoxin-like peptides generally share a core sequence termed the .alpha.4/7 core and is represented as Cys-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys (SEQ ID NO:2). The .kappa.-conotoxin peptides generally have a core sequence termed the .kappa.

Abstract: The invention is directed to A-lineage conotoxin peptides, which are conotoxin peptides that have strong homology in the signal sequence and the 3'-untranslated region of the genes coding for these peptides to the sequences in the .alpha.-conotoxin peptides. The A-lineage conotoxin peptides include the .alpha.-conotoxin peptides, the .alpha.-conotoxin-like peptides and the .kappa.-conotoxin peptides, described further below. The .alpha.-conotoxin-peptides generally share a "core" sequence motif. This core sequence is termed the .alpha. 3/5 core and is represented as Cys-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys (SEQ ID NO: 1). The .alpha.-conotoxin-like peptides generally share a core sequence termed the .alpha. 4/7 core and is represented as Cys-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys (SEQ ID NO: 2). The .kappa.-conotoxin peptides generally have a core sequence termed the .kappa.

Abstract: The invention is directed to A-lineage conotoxin peptides, which are conotoxin peptides that have strong homology in the signal sequence and the 3'-untranslated region of the genes coding for these peptides to the sequences in the .alpha.-conotoxin peptides. The A-lineage conotoxin peptides include the .alpha.-conotoxin peptides, the .alpha.-conotoxin-like peptides and the .kappa.-conotoxin peptides, described further below. The .alpha.-conotoxin-peptides generally share a "core" sequence motif. This core sequence is termed the .alpha.3/5 core and is represented as Cys-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys (SEQ ID NO:1). The .alpha.-conotoxin-like peptides generally share a core sequence termed the .alpha.4/7 core and is represented as Cys-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys (SEQ ID NO:2). The .kappa.-conotoxin peptides generally have a core sequence termed the .kappa.