Abstract: The invention provides a novel peptide isolated from the venom of the spider Grammostola spatulata which peptide has antiarrhthymic activity. The invention also provides methods of treating arrhthymia comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of the peptide. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods of mediating hypotonic cell swelling induced calcium increase in cells.

Abstract: A novel human GTPase polypeptide intracellular molecular switch is described. A full length cDNA which encodes the signal transduction polypeptide is disclosed as well as the interior structural region and the amino acid residue sequence of the human GTPase. Methods are provided to identify compounds that modulate the biological activity of the native signal switch biomolecule and hence regulate cellular and tissue physiology.

Abstract: A novel human signal-transduction kinase polypeptide is described which is expressed at a particularly high level in tissues of the human immune system. A full length cDNA which encodes the novel signal transduction serine/threonine kinase polypeptide is disclosed as well as the interior structural region and the amino acid residue sequence of the native biological molecule. Methods are provided to identify compounds that modulate the biological activity of the human Ste20-like serine/threonine signal transduction kinase.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of treating pain comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective analgesic amount of a peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID. NO.: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2. The invention further provides a purified peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. The peptides of SEQ ID NO.: 1 and SEQ ID NO.: 2 can also be used in methods for identifying compounds having analgesia-inducing activity.

Abstract: The invention concerns pharmaceutically useful compounds of the formula I, in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, n, m and Het have any of the meanings defined herein, and their pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The novel compounds possess endothelin receptor antagonist activity and are useful, for example, in the treatment of diseases or medical conditions in which elevated or abnormal levels of endothelin play a significant causative role. The invention further concerns processess for the manufacture of the novel compounds and the use of the compounds in medical treatment.