Abstract: The present invention concerns therapeutic agents that modulate the activity of TALL-1. In accordance with the present invention, modulators of TALL-1 may comprise an amino acid sequence Dz2Lz4 wherein z2 is an amino acid residue and z4 is threonyl or isoleucyl. Exemplary molecules comprise a sequence of the formulae (SEQ. ID. NO:100) a1a2a3CDa6La8a9a10Ca12a13a14, (SEQ. ID. NO:104) b1b2b3Cb5b6Db8Lb10b11b12b13b14Cb16b17b18 (SEQ. ID. NO:105) c1c2c3Cc5Dc7Lc9c10c11c12c13c14Cc16c17c18 (SEQ. ID. NO:106) d1d2d3Cd5d6d7WDd10Ld13d14d15Cd16d17d18 (SEQ. ID. NO:107) e1e2e3Ce5e6e7De9Le11Ke13Ce15e16e17e18 (SEQ. ID NO:109) f1f2f3Kf5Df7Lf9f10Qf12f13f14 wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides which contain N-methylated amino acid units and have improved water solubility. The invention also relates methods for treating a hormone-dependent tumor or a non-malignant indication that is treatable by LH-RH suppression, the method comprising administering to a patient in need of the treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention. Hormone-dependent cancers that can be treated with the methods of the invention include prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Non-malignant indications which can be treated by the methods of the invention include benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), endometriosis, acne, polycystic ovarian disease, dysmenorrhea, precocious puberty, and uterine fibroids and other leiomyomas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a C5a receptor antagonist of structure (I), wherein X1 is a radical having a mass of about 1-300 and stands for R5-, R5-CO—, R5-N(R6)-CO—, R5-O—CO—, R5-SO2—, R5-N(R6)-SO2—, R5-N(R6)-, R5-N(R6)-CS—, R5-N(R6)-C(NH)—, R5-CS—, R5-P(O)OH—, R5-B(OH)— or R5-CH?N—O—CH2—CO—, wherein R5/R6 represent H, F, hydroxy, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, substituted heterocyclyl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, acyl, substituted acyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, substituted alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl or substituted aryloxyalkyl; X2=radical (biological bonding properties of a mimicrying phenylalanine unit); X3/X4=spacer (amino acids, amino-acid analogs and amino-acid derivatives); X5=radical (biological bonding properties of a mimicrying cyclohexylalanine or homoleucine unit); X6=radical (biological bonding properties of a mimicrying tryptophan unit); X7=radical (biological bonding properties of a mimicrying

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for research, diagnostic, drug screening, and therapeutic applications related to paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis and related conditions. In particular, the present invention provides mutations in the myofibrillogenesis regulator 1 (MR-1) gene associated with such conditions.

Abstract: A method of making a synthetic glycopeptide, by addition of a synthetic oligosaccharide oxazoline to a GlcNAc-containing peptide precursor in the presence of an enzyme selected from among Endo-A and Endo-M. In a specific implementation, the method is utilized to synthesize a trivalent V3-domain glycopeptide including three V3-domain glycopeptides on a scaffold, wherein the three V3-domain glycopeptides are arranged to mimic the V3 domain presentation in trimeric gp120. Such trivalent V3-domain glycopeptides can be utilized in a vaccine for the treatment or prevention of HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: Nonadepsipeptides and methods for their preparation and their use for the production of medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular bacterial infectious diseases are described.

Abstract: A kit of parts comprising two or more protein kinase substrate polypeptides, each said substrate polypeptide comprising a specificity conferring portion (which is different for each said kinase substrate polypeptide) and a phosphorylatable portion, wherein the phosphorylatable portions of each polypeptide are capable of being bound in a phosphorylation state-sensitive manner by the same specific binding partner, for example and antibody preparation, and wherein the said specific binding partner is not an antibody specific for phosphotyrosine, phosphoserine or phosphothreonine. The phosphorylatable portion preferably comprises the amino acid sequence LSFAEPG.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic tetrapeptide amide ligands of the kappa opioid receptor and particularly to agonists of the kappa opioid receptor that exhibit low P450 CYP inhibition and low penetration into the brain. An exemplary synthetic tetrapeptide amide of the invention is D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Leu-(?-Me) D-Lys-[4-Amidinohomopiperazine amide]: Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of pain and inflammation associated with a variety of diseases and conditions. Such treatable pain includes visceral pain, neuropathic pain and hyperalgesia. Inflammation associated with conditions such as IBD and IBS, ocular and otic inflammation, other disorders and conditions such as pruritis, edema, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, ileus, tussis and glaucoma are treatable or preventable with the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention.

Abstract: Peptide compounds that bind to and activate the thrombopoietin receptor (c-mpl or TPO-R) or otherwise act as a TPO agonist are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptides that bind to Ang-2. Also disclosed are peptibodies comprising the peptides, methods of making such peptides and peptibodies, and methods of treatment using such peptides and peptibodies.

Abstract: Organic compounds, such as precursors for aryl ethylamines such as ephedrine, aryl propylamines such as fluoxetine and propionic acid derivatives such as ibuprofen, naproxen and fenoprofen, are subjected to a yeast mediated reduction conducted in the absence of a solvent. The yeast is moistened with water and contacted with the organic compound. The yeast may then be contacted with an organic solvent to dissolve the product of the reaction into the solvent, and a solid/liquid separation used to separate the product from the yeast.

Abstract: A combined rapid acting-long acting insulin formulation has been developed in which the pH of the rapid acting insulin is adjusted so that the long acting glargine remains soluble when they are mixed together. In the preferred embodiment, this injectable basal bolus insulin is administered before breakfast, provides adequate bolus insulin levels to cover the meal, does not produce hypoglycemia after the meal and provides adequate basal insulin for 24 hours. Lunch and dinner can be covered by two bolus injections of a fast acting, or a rapid acting or a very rapid acting insulin. As a result, a patient using intensive insulin therapy should only inject three, rather than four, times a day.

Abstract: Provided are peptide and peptide consensus sequences, which inhibit bacterial growth and/or viral growth and mimic the activity of LL-37, CRAMP, and/or FALL-39. The peptides are useful as antimicrobials, anti-inflammatories and anti-viral agents.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating or preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury of the kidney in a mammal. The method comprises administering an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide having at least one net positive charge; a minimum of four amino acids; a maximum of about twenty amino acids; a relationship between the minimum number of net positive charges (pm) and the total number of amino acid residues (r) wherein 3pm is the largest number that is less than or equal to r+1; and a relationship between the minimum number of aromatic groups (a) and the total number of net positive charges (pt) wherein 2 a is the largest number that is less than or equal to pt+1, except that when a is 1, pt may also be 1.

Abstract: The utility of soybeans having a composition of greater than 40% of the protein as beta-conglycinin and less than 10% of the protein as glycinin for making highly functional high beta-conglycinin compositions was discovered. The discovered ingredients are useful for mimicking the texturizing properties of casein while also maintaining or improving physiological benefits of soy protein ingredients (e.g., cholesterol and triglyceride lowering properties). The high stability of the high beta-conglycinin compositions against protein-protein aggregation reactions is valuable for creating good tasting beverages and beverage mixes. Cheese with good spreadability, gloss and smoothness was made using an enzyme-modified version of the new ingredient composition. Cheese with good firmness and meltability was also created using a different enzyme-treatment High beta-conglycinin compositions were found to demonstrate excellent emulsifying and gelling properties in the pH region (5.5-6.2) relevant to meet applications.

Abstract: This invention provides novel antimicrobial peptides that are effective to inhibit growth and/or proliferation of various gram positive bacteria. In particular, the peptides are effective against Streptococcus mutans a common oral pathogen and the causative agent of dental caries.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic peptide amides that are ligands of the kappa opioid receptor and particularly to agonists of the kappa opioid receptor that exhibit low P450 CYP inhibition and low penetration into the brain. The synthetic peptide amides of the invention conform to the structure: wherein Xaa is a D-amino acid and G is selected from the following three groups: The compounds are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of pain, pruritis and inflammation associated with a variety of diseases and conditions.

Abstract: A combined rapid acting-long acting insulin formulation has been developed in which the pH of the rapid acting insulin is decreased so that the long acting glargine remains soluble when they are mixed together. In the preferred embodiment, this injectable basal bolus insulin is administered before breakfast, provides adequate bolus insulin levels to cover the meal, does not produce hypoglycemia after the meal and provides adequate basal insulin for 24 hours. Lunch and dinner can be covered by two bolus injections of a fast acting, or a rapid acting or a very rapid acting insulin. As a result, a patient using intensive insulin therapy should only inject three, rather than four, times a day.

Abstract: Combinatorially generated peptides are provided that have binding affinity for nylon (NY). The peptides may be used to deliver benefit agents to various NY surfaces.

Abstract: Cyclic peptide compounds and derivatives thereof having antitumor activity as shown by treatment of human melanoma, pancreatic, breast, prostate cancer cells.