Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment, management, or prevention of multiple myeloma and/or renal dysfunction in mammals. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of one or more pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (“PACAP”) compounds, which includes PACAP, vasoactive intestinal peptide (“VIP”), their agonists, analogs, fragments, or derivatives, having one or more PACAP activities. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more PACAP compounds of the invention either alone or in combination with one or more other prophylactic/therapeutic agents useful in therapy for the treatment, management, or prevention of multiple myeloma and/or renal dysfunction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment, management, or prevention of multiple myeloma and/or renal dysfunction in mammals. The methods of the invention comprise the administration of an effective amount of one or more pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (“PACAP”) compounds, which includes PACAP, vasoactive intestinal peptide (“VIP”), their agonists, analogs, fragments, or derivatives, having one or more PACAP activities. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more PACAP compounds of the invention either alone or in combination with one or more other prophylactic/therapeutic agents useful in therapy for the treatment, management, or prevention of multiple myeloma and/or renal dysfunction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical preparations for treating or preventing neuronal cell damage in the brain and other tissues in mammals, comprising administering an effective amount of a PACAP, or an agonist, analog or derivative thereof having PACAP neurotrophic activity, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, in a concentration which is effective for protection of neuronal nerve cells in vivo.

Abstract: A method of promoting or inhibiting spermatogenesis, said method comprising administering to a male an effective amount of PACAP, a PACAP agonist, a PACAP antagonist, PC4, a PC4 agonist, or a PC4 antagonist.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a DNA containing a DNA segment coding for PACAP38; (2) a precursor protein of PACAP38; (3) a transformant containing a DNA having a DNA segment coding for PACAP38; (4) a method for preparing mature PACAP38 comprising cultivating the transformant described in the above (3), producing and accumulating a protein in a culture, and collecting the resulting protein; and (5) a method for preparing the above polypeptide comprising condensing a partial amino acid or a peptide which can constitute the mature PACAP38, with a residual portion, and removing a protective group if a product has the protective group. The DNA is applied to experimental animals to understand their brain functions, which serves to elucidate human brain functions. PACAP38 provides information about growth and maintenance of rat and human brain nerves, and can also be utilized as therapeutic agents for various neuropathy.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a DNA containing a DNA segment coding for PACAP38; (2) a precursor protein of PACAP38; (3) a transformant containing a DNA having a DNA segment coding for PACAP38; (4) a method of preparing mature PACAP38 comprising cultivating the transformant described in the above (3), producing and accumulating a protein in a culture, and collecting the resulting protein; and (5) a method for preparing the above polypeptide comprising condensing a partial amino acid or a peptide which can constitute the mature PACAP38, with a residual portion, and removing a protective group if a product has the protective group. The DNA is applied to experimental animals to understand their brain functions, which serves to elucidate human brain functions. PACAP38 provides information about growth and maintenance of rat and human brain nerves, and can also be utilized as therapeutic agents for various neuropathy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides having adenylate cyclase stimulating activity. The peptides all have at least the sequence His-Ser-Asp-Gly-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asp-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Arg-Tyr- Arg-Lys-Gln-Met-Ala-Val-Lys-Lys-Tyr-Leu-Ala-Ala-Val-Leu-.

Abstract: A synthetic peptide growth hormone releasing factor having substantially the following amino acid sequence: ##STR1## methods of inducing growth in an animal and growth inducing pharmaceutical compositions, including animal feed compositions, are disclosed.