Abstract: The present invention provides peptides having pure somatostatin antagonist activity. Also provided are methods for increasing the release of growth hormone, insulin, glucagon and gastric enzymes in mammals and a method for the enhancement of immune function and growth in mammals.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel opioid peptides. Disclosed are opioid peptides having the general structures Ac-Phe-Arg-Trp-Trp-Tyr-Xaa-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 1); Ac-Arg-Trp-Ile-Gly-Trp-Xaa-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 2); Trp-Trp-Pro-Lys-His-Xaa-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 3); and shorter versions of the latter, namely, Trp-Trp-Pro-Xaa-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 4); Tyr-Pro-Phe-Gly-Phe-Xaa-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 5); (D)Ile-(D)Met-(D)Ser-(D)Trp-(D)Trp-Gly.sub.n -Xaa-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 6); and (D)Ile-(D)Met-(D)Thr-(D)Trp-Gly-Xaa-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 7). Within each genus, Xaa is substituted by a specific amino acid. The invention also relates to an opioid peptide having the general structure Tyr-A1-B2-C3-NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 214), wherein A is D-Nve or D-Nle, B is Gly, Phe, or Trp, and C is Trp or Nap. Also included within the invention are opioid peptides of the general structure Me.sub.x H.sub.y N-Tyr-Tyr-Phe.sub.m -Pro.sub.n -NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO.

Abstract: A compound comprising a Magainin I or Magainin II peptide wherein at least one substitution may be made for certain amino acid residues with other amino acid residues, said peptides known as substitution analogues.In addition to such substitutions, there can be included within the scope of the invention analogues wherein at least one of amino acid residues 15 and 23 may have been deleted as well, and wherein substitutions were made in the remaining peptide chain. Certain substituttion analogues within the scope of the present invention have been shown to possess increased biological activity.

Abstract: The invention provides a rapid approach for combinatorial synthesis and screening of libraries of hydantoin and thiohydantoin compounds. The present invention further provides the compounds made by the combinatorial synthesis.

Abstract: The invention provides a rapid approach for combinatorial synthesis and screening of libraries of imidazol-pyrido-indole and imidazol-pyrido-benzothiophene compounds. The present invention further provides methods of preparing the libraries and the individual compounds made by the combinatorial synthesis.

Abstract: Linear peralkylated oligopeptide sets of molecules are disclosed, as are their methods of synthesis and use in acceptor binding assays. Each molecule or chain of a set contains the same number of two to about ten substituted peralkylated amino acid residues, and the member chains of a set are present in equimolar amounts. The chains of a set contain one or more predetermined peralkylated amino acid residues at one or more predetermined positions of the peralkylated oligopeptide chain. The set contains equimolar amounts of at least six different peralkylated amino acid residues at one or more of the same predetermined positions of the peralkylated oligopeptide chain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel family of peptides which inhibit calmodulin and which have the general structure Ac-A1-B2-C3-D4-E5-F6-NH.sub.2, (SEQ ID No. 1), wherein A1 is (D)Leu or Leu, B2 is (D)Gln, Gln, (D)Trp, or Trp, C3 is (D)Arg, Arg, (D)Ile, or Ile, D4 is (D)Ile, Ile, (D)His, or His, E5 is (D)Leu, Leu, (D)His, or His, and F6 is (D)Trp, Trp, (D)Arg, or Arg. The novel peptides can be used to inhibit the activity of calmodulin. In addition, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a calmodulin-inhibitor peptide. These compositions can be used to treat calmodulin related disorders.

Abstract: Recombinant 540 amino acid residue and 517 amino acid residue proteins encoded by the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are disclosed as are vectors for propagating their DNA sequences and expressing the proteins. Also disclosed are methods for using those proteins. Peptides that correspond substantially to the sequences of those proteins and methods of their use are also disclosed, as are polymers containing peptide repeating units corresponding to the 540 residue protein and also polymers containing 517 protein pentapeptides as repeating units.

Abstract: Sets and libraries of sets of polypeptides that are related in sequence to melittin are disclosed that have antimicrobial, hemolytic and hydrolytically catalytic activities, as are processes for making and using the same. A contemplated set is a mixture of equimolar amounts of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, and more preferably SEQ ID NO:3.

Abstract: The invention provides a rapid approach for combinatorial synthesis and screening of libraries of cyclic urea and cyclic thiourea compounds. The present invention further provides the compounds made by the combinatorial synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel peptides that are potent cytokine restraining agents. In addition, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a cytokine restraining agent. Administration of such a cytokine restraining agent to a subject restrains, but does not necessarily suppress, cytokine activity completely. Thus, the present invention provides a method of restraining pathologically elevated cytokine activity in a subject. The invention also provides methods of treating disuse deconditioning and diseases mediated by nitric oxide and cytokines, such as diabetes and glomerulonephritis, a method of organ protection, a method of organ protection, and a method of reducing the negative side effects of cancer chemotherapy, such as nephrotoxicity.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic combinatorial libraries of organic compounds based on the quinazolinone ring.

Abstract: Linear C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 -alkyl peralkylated oligopeptide sets of molecules are disclosed, as are their methods of synthesis and use in acceptor binding assays. Each molecule or chain of a set contains the same number of two to about ten substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 -alkyl peralkylated amino acid residues, and the member chains of a set are present in equimolar amounts. The chains of a set contain one or more predetermined peralkylated amino acid residues at one or more predetermined positions of the peralkylated oligopeptide chain. The set contains equimolar amounts of at least six different peralkylated amino acid residues at one or more of the same predetermined positions of the peralkylated oligopeptide chain. Libraries of such sets, processes for their use and solid support-linked peralkylated sets are also contemplated, as are specific permethylated oligopeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel peptides that are potent cytokine restraining agents. In addition, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a cytokine restraining agent. Administration of such a cytokine restraining agent to a subject restrains, but does not necessarily suppress, cytokine activity completely. Thus, the present invention provides a method of restraining pathologically elevated cytokine activity in a subject. The invention also provides methods of treating disuse deconditioning and diseases mediated by nitric oxide and cytokines, such as diabetes and glomerulonephritis, a method of organ protection, a method of organ protection, and a method of reducing the negative side effects of cancer chemotherapy, such as nephrotoxicity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel peptides that are potent cytokine regulatory agents. In addition, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a cytokine regulatory agent. Administration of such a cytokine regulatory agent to a subject can enhance or restrain cytokine activity. Thus, the present invention provides a method of regulating cytokine activity in a subject having a condition characterized by aberrant or altered cytokine activity. The invention also provides methods of treating such conditions, including, for example, disuse deconditioning, diseases mediated by nitric oxide and cytokines, adverse drug reactions, obesity, septic shock, and adverse side effects due to cancer chemotherapy or occurring as in response to organ transplantation.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptides having anti-mellitin activity and having the formulae AC-IVILZZ-NH.sub.2, wherein Z is an amino acid. Also disclosed are compositions containing these peptides and methods of using them.

Abstract: Sets and libraries of sets of polypeptides that are related in sequence to melittin are disclosed that have antimicrobial, hemolytic and hydrolyrically catalytic activities, as are processes for making and using the same. A contemplated set is a mixture of equimolar amounts of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, and more preferably SEQ ID NO:3.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel opioid peptides. Disclosed are opioid peptides having the general structures Ac-Phe-Arg-Trp-Trp-Tyr-Xaa--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 1); Ac-Arg-Trp-Ile-Gly-Trp-Xaa--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 2); Trp-Trp-Pro-Lys-His-Xaa--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 3); and shorter versions of the latter, namely, Trp-Trp-Pro-Xaa--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 4); Tyr-Pro-Phe-Gly-Phe-Xaa--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 5); (D)Ile-(D)Met-(D)Ser-(D)Trp-(D)Trp-Gly.sub.n -Xaa--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 6); and (D)Ile-(D)Met-(D)Thr-(D)Trp-Gly-Xaa--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 7). Within each genus, Xaa is substituted by a specific amino acid. The invention also relates to an opioid peptide having the general structure Tyr-A1-B2-C3--NH.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO. 214), wherein A is D-Nve or D-Nle, B is Gly, Phe, or Trp, and C is Trp or Nap. Also included within the invention are opioid peptides of the general structure Pm and red {Me.sub.x H.sub.y N-Tyr-(NMe).sub.z -Tyr-Xaa.sub.z --NH.sub.2 } (SEQ ID NO.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel family of peptides which inhibit calmodulin and which have the general structure Ac-(D)Leu-A1-B2-C3-D4-E5-NH.sub.2, wherein A1 is (D)Gln or (D)Trp, B2 is (D)Arg or (D)Ile, C3 is (D)Ile or (D)His, D4 is (D)Leu or (D)His and E5 is (D)Trp or (D)Arg. The novel peptides can be used to inhibit the activity of calmodulin. In addition, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a calmodulin-inhibitor peptide. These compositions can be used to treat calmodulin related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel opioid peptides which are selective for the kappa opiate receptor. In one embodiment, the kappa-selective opioid peptides have the general structure Ac-A1-B2-C3-Arg-Tyr-Arg-Tyr-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH.sub.2, (SEQ ID NO. 28), wherein A1 is Tyr or Arg, B2 is Arg or Phe, and C3 is Thr, Phe, or Met. In yet other embodiments, the kappa-selective opioid peptides have the general structure (D)Phe-D4-E5-F6 (SEQ ID NO. 29) or (D)Nle-D4-E5-F6 (SEQ ID NO. 30), where in both of these formulae D4 is (D)NapAla or (D)Phe, E5 is (D)Nle, Trp, or (D)Ile, and F6 is (D)Arg or (D)ChAla.