Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated cyclic peptide, theta defensin, having antimicrobial activity, and to theta defensin analogs. A theta defensin can have the amino acid sequence Xaa1-Xaa2-Xaa3-Xaa4-Xaa5-Xaa1-Xaa6-Xaa4-Xaa4-Xaa1-Xaa1-Xaa6-Xaa4-Xaa5-Xaa1-Xaa3-Xaa7-Xaa8, wherein Xaa1 to Xaa8 are defined; wherein Xaa1 can be linked through a peptide bond to Xaa8; and wherein crosslinks can be formed between Xaa3 and Xaa3, between Xaa5 and Xaa5, and between Xaa7 and Xaa7. For example, the invention provides a theta defensin having the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Cys-Arg-Cys-Leu-Cys-Arg-Arg-Gly-Val-Cys-Arg-Cys-Ile-Cys-Thr-Arg (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein the Gly at position 1 (Gly-1) is linked through a peptide bond to Arg-18, and wherein disulfide bonds are present between Cys-3 and Cys-16, between Cys-5 and Cys-14, and between Cys-7 and Cys-12. The invention also provides nucleic acids encoding theta defensins and antibodies that specifically bind a theta defensin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated cyclic peptide, theta defensin, having antimicrobial activity, and to theta defensin analogs. A theta defensin can have the amino acid sequence Xaa1-Xaa2-Xaa3-Xaa4-Xaa5-Xaa1-Xaa6-Xaa4-Xaa4-Xaa1-Xaa1-Xaa6-Xaa4-Xaa5-Xaa1-Xaa3-Xaa7-Xaa5, wherein Xaa1 to Xaa8 are defined; wherein Xaa1 can be linked through a peptide bond to Xaa8; and wherein crosslinks can be formed between Xaa3 and Xaa3, between Xaa5 and Xaa5, and between Xaa7 and Xaa7. For example, the invention provides a theta defensin having the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Cys-Arg-Cys-Leu-Cys-Arg-Arg-Gly-Val-Cys-Arg-Cys-Ile-Cys-Thr-Arg (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein the Gly at position 1 (Gly-1) is linked through a peptide bond to Arg-18, and wherein disulfide bonds are present between Cys-3 and Cys-16, between Cys-5 and Cys-14, and between Cys-7 and Cys-12. The invention also relates to antibodies that specifically bind a theta defensin and to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a theta defensin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated cyclic peptide, theta defensin, having antimicrobial activity, and to theta defensin analogs. A theta defensin can have the amino acid sequence Xaa1-Xaa2-Xaa3-Xaa4-Xaa5-Xaa1-Xaa6-Xaa4-Xaa4-Xaa1-Xaa1-Xaa6-Xaa4-Xaa5-Xaa1-Xaa3-Xaa7-Xaa5, wherein Xaa1 to Xaa8 are defined; wherein Xaa1 can be linked through a peptide bond to Xaa8; and wherein crosslinks can be formed between Xaa3 and Xaa3, between Xaa5 and Xaa5, and between Xaa7 and Xaa7. For example, the invention provides a theta defensin having the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Cys-Arg-Cys-Leu-Cys-Arg-Arg-Gly-Val-Cys-Arg-Cys-Ile-Cys-Thr-Arg (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein the Gly at position 1 (Gly-1) is linked through a peptide bond to Arg-18, and wherein disulfide bonds are present between Cys-3 and Cys-16, between Cys-5 and Cys-14, and between Cys-7 and Cys-12. The invention also relates to antibodies that specifically bind a theta defensin and to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a theta defensin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated cyclic peptide, theta defensin, having antimicrobial activity, and to theta defensin analogs. A theta defensin can have the amino acid sequence Xaa1-Xaa2-Xaa3-Xaa4-Xaa5-Xaa1-Xaa6-Xaa4-Xaa4-Xaa1-Xaa1-Xaa6-Xaa4-Xaa5-Xaa1-Xaa3-Xaa7-Xaa5, wherein Xaa1 to Xaa8 are defined; wherein Xaa1 can be linked through a peptide bond to Xaa8; and wherein crosslinks can be formed between Xaa3 and Xaa3, between Xaa5 and Xaa5, and between Xaa7 and Xaa7. For example, the invention provides a theta defensin having the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Cys-Arg-Cys-Leu-Cys-Arg-Arg-Gly-Val-Cys-Arg-Cys-Ile-Cys-Thr-Arg (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein the Gly at position 1 (Gly-1) is linked through a peptide bond to Arg-18, and wherein disulfide bonds are present between Cys-3 and Cys-16, between Cys-5 and Cys-14, and between Cys-7 and Cys-12. The invention also relates to antibodies that specifically bind a theta defensin and to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a theta defensin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated cyclic peptide, theta defensin, having antimicrobial activity, and to theta defensin analogs. A theta defensin can have the amino acid sequence Xaa1-Xaa2-Xaa3-Xaa4-Xaa5-Xaa1-Xaa6-Xaa4-Xaa4-Xaa1-Xaa1-Xaa6-Xaa4-Xaa5 -Xaa1-Xaa3-Xaa7-Xaa5, wherein Xaa1 to Xaa8 are defined; wherein Xaa1 can be linked through a peptide bond to Xaa8; and wherein crosslinks can be formed between Xaa3 and Xaa3, between Xaa5 and Xaa5, and between Xaa7 and Xaa7. For example, the invention provides a theta defensin having the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Cys-Arg-Cys-Leu-Cys-Arg-Arg-Gly-Val-Cys-Arg-Cys-Ile-Cys-Thr-Arg (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein the Gly at position 1 (Gly-1) is linked through a peptide bond to Arg-18, and wherein disulfide bonds are present between Cys-3 and Cys-16, between Cys-5 and Cys-14, and between Cys-7 and Cys-12. The invention also relates to antibodies that specifically bind a theta defensin and to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a theta defensin.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially purified cryptdin peptides having a consensus amino acid sequence: X1-C-X2-C-R-X3-C-X4-E-X5-C-X6-C-C-X7 wherein X1 is 3 to 9 amino acids; X2 is one amino acid, preferably Y, H or R; X3 is 2 or 3 amino acids; X4 is three amino acids; X5 is five amino acids; X6 is 6 to 10 amino acids; and X7 is 0 to 9 amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing substantially purified cryptdin peptides having a consensus amino acid sequence:X.sub.1 -C-X.sub.2 -C-R-X.sub.3 -C-X.sub.4 -E-X.sub.5 -C-X.sub.6 -C-C-X.sub.7wherein X.sub.1 is 3 to 9 amino acids; X.sub.2 is one amino acid, preferably Y, H or R; X.sub.3 is 2 or 3 amino acids; X.sub.4 is three amino acids; X.sub.5 is five amino acids; X.sub.6 is 6 to 10 amino acids; and X.sub.7 is 0 to 9 amino acids. The invention also provides a method of preparing substantially purified mouse cryptdin having a consensus amino acid sequence:X.sub.1 -L-X.sub.2 -C-Y-C-R-X.sub.3 -C-K-X.sub.4 -E-X.sub.5 -G-T-C-X.sub.6 -C-C-X.sub.7wherein X.sub.1 is 3 or 4 amino acids, preferably LRD, LSKK (SEQ ID NO: 1) or LRG; X.sub.2 is 1 amino acid, preferably V, L or I; X.sub.3 is 3 amino acids, preferably KGH or *RG, where * is S, T, K, I or A; X.sub.4 is 2 amino acids, preferably GR, RR or RG; X.sub.5 is 3 amino acids, preferably RMN, RVR, RVF HMN or HIN; X.sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially purified cryptdin peptides having a consensus amino acid sequence:X.sub.1 -C-X.sub.2 -C-R-X.sub.3 -C-X.sub.4 -E-X.sub.5 -C-X.sub.6 -C-C-X.sub.7or having a consensus amino acid sequence:X.sub.1 -L-X.sub.2 -C-Y-C-R-X.sub.3 -C-K-X.sub.4 -E-X.sub.5 -G-T-C-X.sub.6 -C-C-X.sub.7wherein X.sub.1 to X.sub.7 each independently is 0 to 10 amino acids. The invention also provides cryptdin analogs, which are devoid of one or more amino acids N-terminal to the first cysteine. In addition, the invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding cryptdin peptides. The invention further provides methods for detecting inflammatory pathologies in a subject and for treating an inflammatory pathology in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition containing a cryptdin peptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially purified cryptdin peptides having a consensus amino acid sequence:X.sub.1 -C-X.sub.2 -C-R-X.sub.3 -C-X.sub.4 -E-X.sub.5 -C-X.sub.6 -C-C-X.sub.7wherein X.sub.1 is 3 to 9 amino acids; X.sub.2 is one amino acid, preferably Y, H or R; X.sub.3 is 2 or 3 amino acids; X.sub.4 is three amino acids; X.sub.5 is five amino acids; X.sub.6 is 6 to 10 amino acids; and X.sub.7 is 0 to 9 amino acids. The invention also provides a substantially purified mouse cryptdin having a consensus amino acid sequence:X.sub.1 -L-X.sub.2 -C-Y-C-R-X.sub.3 -C-K-X.sub.4 -E-X.sub.5 -G-T-C-X.sub.6 -C-C-X.sub.7wherein X.sub.1 is 3 or 4 amino acids, preferably LRD, LSKK (SEQ ID NO: 1) or LRG; X.sub.2 is 1 amino acid, preferably V, L or I; X.sub.3 is 3 amino acids, preferably KGH or *RG, where * is S, T, K, I or A; X.sub.4 is 2 amino acids, preferably GR, RR or RG; X.sub.5 is 3 amino acids, preferably RMN, RVR, RVF HMN or HIN; X.sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially purified cryptdin peptides having a consensus amino acid sequence:X.sub.1 --C--X.sub.2 --C--R--X.sub.3 --C--X.sub.4 --E--X.sub.5 --C--X.sub.6 --C--C--X.sub.7whereinX.sub.1 is 3 to 9 amino acids;X.sub.2 is one amino acid, preferably Y, H or R;X.sub.3 is 2 or 3 amino acids;X.sub.4 is three amino acids;X.sub.5 is five amino acids;X.sub.6 is 6 to 10 amino acids; andX.sub.7 is 0 to 9 amino acids.The invention also provides a substantially purified mouse cryptdin having a consensus amino acid sequence:X.sub.1 --L--X.sub.2 --C--Y--C--R--X.sub.3 --C--K--X.sub.4 --E--X.sub.5 --G--T--C--X.sub.6 --C--C--X.sub.7whereinX.sub.1 is 3 or 4 amino acids, preferably LRD, LSKK (SEQ ID NO: 1) or LRG;X.sub.2 is 1 amino acid, preferably V, L or I;X.sub.3 is 3 amino acids, preferably KGH or *RG, where * is S, T, K, I or A;X.sub.4 is 2 amino acids, preferably GR, RR or RG;X.sub.5 is 3 amino acids, preferably RMN, RVR, RVF HMN or HIN;X.sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially purified cryptdin peptides having a consensus amino acid sequence as follows:X.sub.1 -C-X.sub.2 -C-R-X.sub.3 -C-X.sub.4 -E-X.sub.5 -G-X.sub.6 -C-X.sub.7 -C-C-X.sub.8wherein X.sub.1 is 3-6 amino acids; X.sub.2 is one amino acid; X.sub.3 is 2 or 3 amino acids; X.sub.4 is three amino acids; X.sub.5 is three amino acids; X.sub.6 is one amino acid; X.sub.7 is 6 to 10 amino acids; and X.sub.8 is 0 to 7 amino acids.The invention further provides substantially purified cryptdin peptides having a consensus amino acid sequence as follows:X.sub.1 -L-X.sub.2 -C-Y-C-R-X.sub.3 -C-K-X.sub.4 -E-R-X.sub.5 -G-T-C-X.sub.6 -C-C-X.sub.7wherein X.sub.1 is one to four amino acids; X.sub.2 is one amino acid; X.sub.3 is three amino acids; X.sub.4 is two amino acids; X.sub.5 is two amino acids; and X.sub.6 is six to nine amino acids; and X.sub.7 is zero to seven amino acids.