Abstract: The present invention relates to processes of obtaining Apo A-1 from an Apo A-1 containing protein fraction (A), comprising suspending—the Apo A-1 containing protein fraction (A) in a buffer solution (B), removing impurities from the suspension while keeping the Apo A-1 proteins solubilized, followed by precipitating Apo A˜I from the suspension and collecting the Apo A-1 precipitate. Apo A-I obtained by such processes, reconstituted HDL obtained from such Apo A-1, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such Apo A-I and/or reconstituted HDL also are provided.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to modular peptide-substrate protease assays, in particular low cost and reliable methodology for measurement of protease and other enzyme activity that may be detected by optical turbidimetry or visual observation. The presently disclosed subject matter also relates to methods of using the disclosed assays within methods of detecting and monitoring diseases, methods of drug discovery, as well as in detection devices and systems.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to peptides having antimicrobial activity. In certain aspects, the invention relates to peptides having potent antimicrobial activity, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and/or the ability to kill otherwise antibiotic-resistant microbes, or microbes protected by biofilms.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions useful for identifying polypeptides with desired characteristics in vitro.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides peptoid-based chelating ligands, corresponding cyclic peptoids, and methods of making thereof. Functional groups may be tailored for high metal binding affinity and selectivity. The side chains of a cyclic peptoid according to the present disclosure may be selected based on, for example, high affinity for actinide or other metal ions, selectivity for actinide or other metal ions, the ability to recover a metal once it is bound to the peptoid, and whether the overall peptoid should be hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Unlike siderophores, peptoid-based chelating ligands of the present disclosure are not readily hydrolyzed under physiological conditions. Therefore, peptoid-based chelating ligands may be, for example, used to treat actinide (e.g., iron and lead) poisoning in vivo. Moreover, peptoid-based chelating ligands of the present disclosure may be used for medical imaging, chelation therapy, drug delivery, and separation technologies, for example.

Abstract: The present invention in particular relates to the field of micro- and nanoparticles, more in particular to coated nanoparticles. The coatings of the present invention in particular comprise surfactant protein B (SP-B) and one or more lipids. The invention further relates to such coated particles and compositions comprising them for use as a medicament, in particular for use in the treatment of various disorders. Furthermore, the invention provides the use of the compositions of the current invention for delivering one or more agents, such as small interfacing RNA (siRNA) molecules, to the target tissue or cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated polypeptides that are glucagon-receptor selective analogs and peptide derivatives thereof. These analogs are selective for human glucagon receptor with improved solubility, thermal stability, and physicochemical properties as compared to native endogenous glucagon. This invention also relates to methods of using such polypeptides in a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic indications, as well as methods of producing such polypeptides. These analogs are useful, alone or in combination with other therapeutic peptides, in methods of treating obesity, diabetes, metabolic disorders, and other disorders or disease.

Abstract: The invention involves the coupling of compounds that can be bound by Haptocorrin (R-binder; Transcobalamin I; HC) to a target drug to improve pharmacokinetics, avoid undesirable side effects, and/or modify CNS access and localization. The pharmaceutical effect may be improved by conjugating the drug to haptocorrin binding substrate. This allows the conjugate to become bound to unsaturated haptocorrin in the blood, thereby protecting the drug from metabolism or excretion to increase protein half-life while not interfering with the efficacy of the protein drug. The conjugation may additionally prevent the drug from reaching the central nervous system or modify where the drug localizes and produces undesirable side effects such as nausea or hypophagia. Such a route also would prevent, in all case save for actual vitamin B12, binding by serum transcobalamin II (TCII), and thus not cause B12 deficiency with long term use.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides comprising a sequence derived from the human NAF-1 protein, analogs of said sequence or a retro-inverso sequence of said peptide or analog. The conjugates of such peptides are provided as well. The peptides and the conjugates of the present invention are useful in treating cancer, and in particular cancer in which the expression of NAF-1 is enhanced.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the biological activity of toxins. Methods of increasing the biological activity of pesticide toxins through the incorporation of pro-regions into nucleic acid constructs for the production of said toxins.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a novel peptide inhibitor and method for treating neurological disorders related to a hexanucleotide (GGGGCC) repeat expansion in the non-coding region of the C9ORF72 gene. Also disclosed are related compositions and kits for therapeutic use in the treatment of the pertinent diseases.

Abstract: Provided are novel peptides, methods of their preparation and their use in controlled release of pharmaceutically active compounds.

Abstract: In certain embodiments novel PAC1 receptor agonists are provided wherein the agonists comprise a targeting sequence that binds to the PAC1 receptor and said targeting sequence is attached to an amino acid sequence comprising a fragment of the maxadilan amino acid sequence, wherein the targeting sequence comprises a full-length 38 amino acid PACAP peptide or an N-terminus fragment thereof containing the amino acid sequence HSDGIF, wherein said targeting sequence optionally comprises an amino acid insertion between residues 11 and 12 of said PACAP peptide or fragment thereof; and the fragment of the maxadilan amino acid sequence comprises a fragment of the maxadilan sequence effective to activate PAC1 signaling.

Abstract: Methods of treating cancer, such as breast cancer or colorectal cancer, in a subject are provided. The methods include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a chicken cathelicidin, such as cathelicidin-1, cathelicidin-2, or cathelicidin-3. Methods of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to therapeutic proteins and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said proteins, which have utility in treating various human diseases. In particular aspects, the disclosed therapeutic proteins are useful for treating human gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases and gastrointestinal conditions associated with decreased epithelial cell barrier function or integrity. Further, the disclosed therapeutic proteins are useful for treating human inflammatory bowel disease, including inter alia, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Abstract: Herein are described peptide-based compositions for modifying Raf kinase protein Dimerization. These compositions, treatments, and methods of use are directed to peptides that display a binding affinity for the dimer interface of a Raf kinase protein, methods for modifying Raf kinase dimerization, and methods for inhibiting tumor growth. An embodiment of the disclosure is a peptide generated by modifying an ordered sequence chosen from SEQ ID NO: 1 which corresponds to amino acids 503-521 of B-Raf kinase. The peptides disclosed herein include a modification to an ordered sequence of amino acids derived from SEQ ID NO: 1 that can improve or otherwise alter binding affinity of the peptide to the dimer interface.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptides that contain up to about 35 amino acids, including a plurality of aromatic amino acid residues and either (i) an amino acid residue that is phosphorylated or sulfated, or (ii) an amino acid comprising an ester-moiety linked via peptide bond, or both (i) and (ii), wherein the peptide is capable of self-assembly to form nanofibrils in the presence of an enzyme that hydrolyzes the phosphate group, the sulfate group, or the ester-moiety. These peptides are enzymatically responsive hydrogelators, and they can be used to form pericellular hydrogels/nanofibrils upon exposure to target cells that secrete or express a surface bound ectoenzyme having hydrolase activity suitable to induce peptide gelation. These materials, and compositions containing the same, can be used for in vitro and in vivo cellular imaging, treating cancerous conditions, collecting a secretome from a cell upon which the pericellular hydrogels/nanofibrils form, and screening the collected secretome.

Abstract: A polypeptide, a pharmaceutical composition including a polypeptide, and a method for treating a condition using a polypeptide are provided. The polypeptide includes an amino acid sequence according to the general formula X1-X2-X3, wherein X1 and X3 are independently absent or comprise a transduction domain, X2 includes Z3, and Z3 is selected from the group consisting of serine or phosphoserine analogs. The pharmaceutical composition includes a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence according to the general formula X1-X2-X3 and one or more components selected from the group consisting of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, a calcium channel blocker, and a combination thereof. X1 and X3 are independently absent or comprise a transduction domain, X2 includes Z3, and Z3 is selected from the group consisting of serine or phosphoserine analogs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide analogues comprising one or more branched amino acid probes and a peptide, native or variants thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides populations of isolated peptides useful for the detection of antibodies that bind to Anaplasma antigens. The peptide populations comprise peptides derived from immunogenic fragments of the Anaplasma Outer Membrane Protein proteins. The invention also provides devices, methods, and kits comprising the populations of isolated peptides useful for the detection of antibodies that bind to Anaplasma antigens and the diagnosis of anaplasmosis. Methods of identifying the particular Anaplasma species infecting a subject using the peptide populations of the invention are also disclosed.