Abstract: The present invention provides an ion conducting matrix comprising: (i) 5 to 60% by volume of an inorganic powder having a good aqueous electrolyte absorption capacity; (ii) 5 to 50% by volume of a polymeric binder that is chemically compatible with an aqueous electrolyte; and (iii) 10 to 90% by volume of an aqueous electrolyte, wherein the inorganic powder comprises essentially sub-micron particles. The present invention further provides a membrane being a film made of the matrix of the invention and a composite electrode comprising 10 to 70% by volume of the matrix of the invention.

Abstract: Peptide inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) have an amino acid sequence motif of XZXXXS(p)X, wherein S(p)=phosphorylated serine or phosphorylated threonine, X=any amino acid, and Z=any amino acid except serine or threonine. These inhibitors, which are about 7 to 50 amino acids long, are specific for GSK-3 and strongly inhibit the enzyme with an IC50 of about 150 &mgr;M. Also provided are methods of treating biological conditions mediated by GSK-3 activity, such as potentiating insulin signaling in a subject, treating or preventing type 2 diabetes in a patient, and treating Alzheimer's Disease by administering peptide inhibitors. Compositions of these peptide inhibitors and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are also provided, as is a method for identifying inhibitors of GSK-3. The invention further relates to a computer-assisted method of structure based drug design of GSK-3 inhibitors using a three-dimensional structure of a peptide substrate of GSK-3.

Abstract: Peptide inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) having an amino acid sequence motif of XZXXXS(p)X, wherein S(p)=phosphorylated serine or phosphorylated threonine, X=any amino acid, and Z=any amino acid except serine or threonine. These inhibitors, which are about 7 to 20 amino acids long, are specific for GSK-3 and strongly inhibit the enzyme with an IC50 of about 150 &mgr;M. Also provided are methods of treating biological conditions mediated by GSK-3 activity, such as potentiating insulin signaling in a subject, treating or preventing type 2 diabetes in a patient, and treating Alzheimer's Disease by administering peptide inhibitors. Compositions of these peptide inhibitors and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are also provided, as is a method for identifying inhibitors of GSK-3. The invention further relates to a computer-assisted method of structure based drug design of GSK-3 inhibitors using a three-dimensional structure of a peptide substrate of GSK-3.