Abstract: Computer-implemented methods are provided. One method includes determining an orientation of a display of a portable system. The method also includes altering an orientation of two speakers arranged along one side of the system based on the orientation of the display. Another method includes determining an orientation of a display of a portable system and determining an orientation of two speakers of the system based on the orientation of the display. If a current orientation of the two speakers differs from the determined orientation of the two speakers, the method includes altering the current orientation of the speakers such that they have the determined orientation. A portable system is also provided that includes means for determining an orientation of a display of the system. The system also includes means for altering an orientation of two speakers arranged along one side of the system based on the orientation of the display.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short conotoxin peptides, about 10-20 residues in length as described herein, 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. These conotoxin peptides have analgesic activity and are thus useful for treating or preventing pain.

Abstract: The present invention features G-protein fusion receptors and chimeric GABAB receptors (GABABRs), nucleic acid encoding such receptors, and the use of such receptors and nucleic acid. G-protein fusion receptors comprise at least one domain from a CaR, an mGluR, and/or a GABAB receptor fused directly or through a linker to a guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein). Chimeric GABABRs comprise at least one of a GABABR extracellular domain, a GABABR transmembrane domain, or a GABABR intracellular domain and one or more domains from a mGluR subtype 8 (mGluR8) and/or a CaR.

Abstract: Protein disulfide isomerase is a major component of Conus venom ducts. The invention relates to a protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) from Conus snails, a nucleic acid sequence encoding the Conus protein disulfide isomerase, and to methods for folding disulfide-rich peptides using a protein disulfide isomerase. Oxidative folding of conotoxin precursors, catalyzed by a PDI, was more efficient and decreased the number and concentration of transiently accumulated folding species. The PDI-assisted oxidative folding of conotoxins was also influenced by the propeptide relative to the mature peptide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ?-superfamily conotoxin peptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention is further directed to the use of this peptide, derivatives thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the treatment of disorders associated with voltage-gated ion channels, ligand gated channels and other receptors. The invention is further directed to nucleic acid sequences encoding the ?-superfamily conotoxin peptides and encoding ?-superfamily conotoxin propeptides, as well as the ?-superfamily conotoxin propeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the new &mgr;O-conopeptides, their coding sequences and their propeptides and to the use of &mgr;O-conopeptides as a local anesthetic for treating pain. The &mgr;O-conopeptides have long lasting anesthetic activity and are particularly useful for spinal anesthesia, either administered acutely for post-operative pain or via an intrathecal pump for severe chronic pain situations or for treatment of pain in epithelial tissue.

Abstract: Protein disulfide isomerase is a major component of Conus venom ducts. The invention relates to a protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) from Conus snails, a nucleic acid sequence encoding the Conus protein disulfide isomerase, and to methods for folding disulfide-rich peptides using a protein disulfide isomerase. Oxidative folding of conotoxin precursors, catalyzed by a PDI, was more efficient and decreased the number and concentration of transiently accumulated folding species. The PDI-assisted oxidative folding of conotoxins was also influenced by the propeptide relative to the mature peptide.

Abstract: The present invention is to &mgr;-conopeptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention is further directed to the use of this peptide, derivatives thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the treatment of disorders associated with voltage-gated sodium channels. Thus, the &mgr;-conopeptides or derivatives are useful as neuromuscular blocking agents, local anesthetic agents, analgesic agents and neuroprotective agents. The &mgr;-conopeptides are also useful for treating neuromuscular disorders. The invention is further directed to nucleic acid sequences encoding the &mgr;-conopeptides and encoding propeptides, as well as the propeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to &bgr;-superfamily conotoxin peptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention is further directed to the use of this peptide, derivatives thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the treatment of disorders associated with voltage-gated ion channels, ligand gated channels and other receptors. The invention is further directed to nucleic acid sequences encoding the &bgr;-superfamily conotoxin peptides and encoding &bgr;-superfamily conotoxin propeptides, as well as the &bgr;-superfamily conotoxin propeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is relates to a &ggr;-carboxylase from Conus snails, a nucleic acid sequence encoding the Conus &ggr;-carboxylase and to a method for using the nucleic acid or protein sequences for preparing &ggr;-carboxylated proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short conotoxin peptides, about 10-20 residues in length as described herein, 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. These conotoxin peptides have analgesic activity and are thus useful for treating or preventing pain.

Abstract: The invention relates to &ohgr;-conopeptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and uses thereof, including the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as anticonvulsant agents, as neuroprotective agents, as cardiovascular agents or for the management of pain. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding the conopeptides and encoding propeptides, as well as the propeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is to &mgr;-conopeptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention is further directed to the use of this peptide, derivatives thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the treatment of disorders associated with voltage-gated sodium channels. Thus, the &mgr;-conopeptides or derivatives are useful as neuromuscular blocking agents, local anesthetic agents, analgesic agents and neuroprotective agents. The &mgr;-conopeptides are also useful for treating neuromuscular disorders. The invention is further directed to nucleic acid sequences encoding the &mgr;-conopeptides and encoding propeptides, as well as the propeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to &bgr;-superfamily conotoxin peptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention is further directed to the use of this peptide, derivatives thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the treatment of disorders associated with voltage-gated ion channels, ligand gated channels and other receptors. The invention is further directed to nucleic acid sequences encoding the &bgr;-superfamily conotoxin peptides and encoding &bgr;-superfamily conotoxin propeptides, as well as the &bgr;-superfamily conotoxin propeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to P-superfamily conopeptides, to DNA encoding precursors of the P-superfamily conopeptides and to the precursor peptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to &ggr;-carboxyglutamate containing conopeptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and uses thereof, including the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as anticonvulsant agents, as neuroprotective agents or for the management of pain. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding the conopeptides and encoding propeptides, as well as the propeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to &ohgr;-conopeptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and uses thereof, including the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as anticonvulsant agents, as neuroprotective agents, as cardiovascular agents or for the management of pain. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding the conopeptides and encoding propeptides, as well as the propeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to conotoxin peptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention is further directed to the use of this peptide, derivatives thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the treatment of disorders associated with voltage-gated ion channels, voltage-gated ligand channels and/or receptors. The invention is further directed to nucleic acid sequences encoding the conotoxin peptides and encoding propeptides, as well as the propeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is relates to a &ggr;-carboxylase from Conus snails, a nucleic acid sequence encoding the Conus &ggr;-carboxylase and to a method for using the nucleic acid or protein sequences for preparing &ggr;-carboxylated proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to linear &ggr;-carboxyglutamate rich conotoxins, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and uses thereof, including the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as anticonvulsant agents, as neuroprotective agents or for the management of pain. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding the conopeptides and encoding propeptides, as well as the propeptides.