Abstract: Disclosed are Ras-binding peptides and peptide mimetics thereof which inhibit the direct binding of Ras with Raf and contain an amino acid sequence with 80-100% identity to the sequence of specific Raf fragments.

Abstract: The DNA encoding the cell surface receptor for thrombin has been cloned and sequenced. The availability of this DNA permits the recombinant production of thrombin receptor which can be produced at cell surfaces and is useful in assay systems both for the detection of thrombin and for the evaluation of candidate thrombin agonists and antagonists. Further, the elucidation of the structure of the thrombin receptor permits the design of agonist and antagonist compounds which are useful diagnostically and therapeutically. The availability of the thrombin receptor also permits production of antibodies specifically immunoreactive with the receptor per se or with specific regions thereof which are also useful diagnostically or therapeutically.

Abstract: The invention comprises a leucine aminopeptidase inhibitor (LAPI) having hemagglutination activity which is extracted from the seeds of Pentaclethra macroloba. The crude extract was found to comprise an active species having a molecular weight in the range 1.5-60 kilodaltons and further comprises an amino acid containing component, a fluorescent component and sugars. The basic unit of the active species contains approximately the following type and number of amino acid residues averaged over a plurality of separations and analyses: 3 aspartate, 3 threonine, 4.5 serine, 3.75 glutamic, 6.5 glycine, 3.5 alanine, 2.25 valine, 1.25 isoleucine, 2 leucine, 0.75 tyrosine, 1.25 phenylalanine, 5.25 lysine, 0.75 histidine, 2.25 arginine and 0.625 proline, and forms multimers, adduct, conjugate and similar species between by itself or with proteinaceous, fluorescent and sugar substance which may also be present. The active substance(s) act as an insecticide and have been found to increase insect mortality in bioassays.

Abstract: Depression, particularly disease- and medical treatment-related depression, and especially postpartum depression, is treated by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of relaxin. A treatment regimen and dosage form for gradual withdrawal from relaxin therapy is also disclosed.

Abstract: Peptides which consist of six to eight, predominately D-amino acids and which bind to tumor necrosis factor-alpha, prevent tumor necrosis factor-alpha from binding to its receptors and inhibit tumor necrosis factor-alpha activity are disclosed. Methods of inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-alpha activity and of treating individuals suffering from tumor necrosis factor-alpha-mediated diseases and disorders are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel cyclic peptides of the selectin 54-63 sequence exhibit unexpected and desired properties. Specific points of cyclization or conformational restriction in conjunction with specific substitutions have been identified that not only unexpectedly enhance the biological activity of these compounds, but also significantly increase their resistance to enzymatic degradation. Formulae of the active compounds and representative examples of preferred peptides are presented herein.

Abstract: A method for controlling infections caused by Cryptosporidium parvum. The method comprises using protease inhibiting compounds, preferably serine protease inhibitors, to inhibit excystation, invasion, and parasite maturation and development. The method is directed to therapeutic treatment of mammals, such as humans, exposed to C. parvum, and additionally as a prophylactic treatment in immunocompromised subjects at high risk for contracting cryptosporidiosis.

Abstract: Methods for modifying polypeptide agents to enhance their transdermal electrotransport flux are provided. The polypeptide is modified by reducing the potential of the polypeptide for forming .alpha.-helical or .beta.-sheet segments. In particular, amino acid residues known to stabilize .alpha.-helical and .beta.-sheet segments can be replaced with destabilizing residues and known helix breakers. Modified molecules and compositions including the molecules are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to synthetic chromogranin A peptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these peptides, and uses of the peptides for treating hyperparathyroidism, and treating or preventing conditions associated with hyperparathyroidism such as parathyroid hyperplasia-associated renal failure, osteoporosis, and the like.

Abstract: A therapeutic preparation for inhalation which comprises insulin and a substance which enhances the absorption of insulin in the lower respiratory tract, is provided in the form of a powder preparation suitable for inhalation.

Abstract: Method for obtaining highly purified transferrin from a partially purified plasma fraction containing transferrin in which the starting fraction is concentrated. Its ionic strength is reduced and then transferrin is adsorbed onto a chromatographic column. Following elution, the transferrin can be further processed through to packaging in final containers. The final purified transferrin product is sterile, at least 95% pure and is substantially free of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses.

Abstract: Methods of removing protein contaminants from a solution comprising thrombopoietin are disclosed. The solution is exposed to hydroxyapatite, whereby protein contaminants are bound to the hydroxyapatite and the thrombopoietin remains substantially unbound, and the unbound thrombopoietin is recovered. The use of hydroxyapatite is advantageously combined with other purification and concentration techniques, including ion-exchange chromatography, ligand affinity chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, ultrafiltration, and differential precipitation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing food intake, suppressing appetite and controlling body weight are provided. Such compositions may include an amylin agonist and a CCK agonist or a hybrid peptide.

Abstract: The rate of healing of a wound can be delayed or anomalous wound healing inhibited by applying an Agaricus bisporus lectin (agglutinin) to the site of the wound.

Abstract: Antibiotics 10381v, w, x, y, z1, z2, pre-b and t are antibiotics producible by culturing the microorganism Streptomyces arginensis in an aqueous medium and isolation thereof. The structure of Antibiotic 10381y is given below as formula IV. These antibiotics inhibit the growth of selected species of bacteria and may also be useful as a growth promotant in animals.

Abstract: A peptide of the formula IX-A-D-Trp-Ywherein X is hydrogen, glycine, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, N-valine, proline, tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, D-alanine, D-leucine, D-isoleucine, D-valine, D-N-valine, D-proline, D-tyrosine, D-phenylalanine, D-tryptophan, .alpha.-aminobutyric acid or .xi.-aminocaproic acid; A is D-glutamic acid or iD-glutamic acid; and Y is glycine, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, N-valine, proline, tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, D-alanine, D-leucine, D-isoleucine, D-valine, D-N-valine, D-proline, D-tyrosine, D-phenylalanine, D-tryptophn, .alpha.-aminobutyric acid, .xi.-aminocaproic acid, hydroxyl, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 substituted amide.

Abstract: Vascular disease including asymptomatic atherosclerosis can be diagnosed by administering a synthetic peptide or peptide analog having an affinity for, and propensity to accumulate at, a site of vascular injury to a patient, and then detecting the location of the peptide or peptide analog within the patient's vascular system. The synthetic peptide or peptide analog may include an amino acid sequence sufficiently duplicative of the amino acid sequence of a region of either the apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A-I, or elastin proteins such that the peptide or peptide analog accumulates at a site of vascular injury.

Abstract: The invention concerns the compounds of the formulas: ##STR1## and protected forms and salts thereof which serve as starting materials in an improved method of synthesizing thrombin and kininogenase inhibitors. The invention further concerns an improved method for synthesizing the inhibitors which utilizes the compounds.

Abstract: Novel compounds, their salts and compositions related thereto having activity against mammalian factor Xa are disclosed. The compounds are useful in vitro or in vivo for preventing or treating coagulation disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to conotoxin peptides having 25-35 amino acids, six cysteines which form three disulfide bonds between the first and fourth, second and fifth, and third and sixth cysteines, respectively. The invention is directed to .delta.-conotoxin GmVIA having the formula Val-Lys-Pro-Cys-Arg-Lys-Glu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Cys-Asp-Pro-Ile-Phe-Gln-Asn-Cys-Cy s-Arg-Gly-Trp-Asn-Cys-Val-Leu-Phe-Cys-Val (SEQ ID NO:1). This peptide activates sodium channels. The invention is further directed to .mu.O-conotoxin peptides of the generic formula Ala-Cys-Xaa.sub.1 -Lys-Lys-Trp-Glu-Tyr-Cys-Ile-Val-Pro-Ile-Xaa.sub.2 -Gly-Phe-Xaa.sub.3 -Tyr-Cys-Cys-Pro-Gly-Leu-Ile-Cys-Gly-Pro-Phe-Val-Cys-Val, wherein Xaa.sub.1 is Arg or Ser, Xaa.sub.2 is Ile or Leu and Xaa.sub.3 is Ile or Val (SEQ ID NO:2). These peptides block sodium charmels. Examples of .mu.