Abstract: The process according to the present invention allows expression and isolation of polypeptides with the proteolytic activity of HCV NS3 protease in a pure, catalytically active form, and in amounts that are sufficient for discovery of NS3 protease inhibitors and for determination of the three-dimensional structure of the NS3 protease. A further subject of the present invention is a procedure that defines the chemical and physical conditions necessary for completion of the proteolytic activity of the above polypeptides. The invention further comprises new compositions of matter (expression vectors) containing nucleotide sequences capable of expressing the above mentioned polypeptides in culture cells. Finally, new compounds of matter are defined, suitable to measure the above proteolytic activity, and useful to develop NS3 protease inhibitors and therefore therapeutic agents for use against HCV. The figure shows the kinetic parameters of HCV NS3 protease using the S3 depsipeptide substrate (SEQ ID NO:45).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to tetrapeptides which inhibit farnesyl-protein transferase (FPTase) and the farnesylation of the oncogene protein Ras. The invention is further directed to a method of treating cancer with tetrapeptide inhibitors of farnesyl protein transferase, as well as pharmaceutical formulations useful for this method of treatment.

Abstract: An ELISA method with competitive inhibition is described for determining antisporozoite antibodies of P. Falciparum in human blood samples and in mosquito extract, which uses a single plate pretreated with only the synthetic antigen (NANP).sub.20 using, as total competitive inhibitor for the formation of the complex between the synthetic antigen adsorbed on the plate and the antibody contained in the sample, the (NANP).sub.20 synthetic peptide in a weight ratio of at least 20:1 with respect to the adsorbed antigen. Because of its high specificity, sensitivity and speed, the method is particularly suitable for epidemiological studies on malaria.

Abstract: Polypeptide useful for the preparation of antimalarial vaccines and of diagnostic kits for the detection of antisporozoite antibodies in clinical samples of malariated persons, constituted by: a synthetic peptide, which repeates the region I of P. falciparum and by a variable number of repetitive tetrapeptide units of CS protein of P. falciparum linked to each other by an amidic bond between the tail proline of I region and the head asparagine of the first tetrapeptide.

Abstract: Synthetic polypeptides constituted by at least two consecutive repeating units of (Asn-Asn-Pro) sequence are powerful immunogens in test animals.The formed antibodies recognize both the synthetic polypeptides and the immuno-dominant epitope of the circumsporozoitic protein of Plasmodium falciparum.Said polypeptides, which can be obtained in pure form, are particularly useful for the preparation of antimalarial vaccines and of diagnostic kits for the determination of malarial affections.

Abstract: An immunoenzymatic method for the detection of anti-Plasmodium falciparum-sporozoite antibodies in a sample of human blood, which operates, in homogeneous phase, and under suitable conditions, with a synthetic polypeptidic antigen (P), a synthetic antigen-enzyme (P-E) conjugate, wherein said antigen is capable of specifically reacting with the anti-Plasmodium falciparum-sporozoite antibodies (Ab) possibly present in the sample, and an inert substance capable of quantitatively precipitating the antibody-synthetic antigen-enzyme complex (Ab-P-E).The method, due to its specificity, sensitivity, reproducibility and rapidity, is particularly useful in the epidemiological investigations into malaria and in the evaluation of the efficacy of an antimalarial vaccine.

Abstract: The synthetic peptide TT3, the amino acid sequence of which corresponds to the region 947-967 of the tetanus toxin is recognized by different human Th cell clones in association with a wide range of alleles of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Said peptide contains at least two epitopes, of which one (953-967) is recognized by the DR5-restricted clones and the other (947-960) is recognized by all other DR and DP alleles restricted clones. The TT3 peptide and the peptide corresponding to the 947-960 epitope can be used as universal carriers in the preparation of immunogenic conjugates consisting of at least one of said peptides and a natural or synthetic hapten derived from a pathogenic agent of interest.The immunogenic conjugates are particularly suitable for preparing synthetic vaccines able to provide a protective immunity against different pathogenic agents which is not genetically restricted or is only slightly genetically restricted.

Abstract: Immunologically active polypeptide composition constituted by polypeptides having the formula:H--(Glu--Glu--Asn--Val--Glu--His--Asp--Ala).sub.n --OHwherein Glu=Glutamic Acid;Asn=Asparagine;Val=Valine;His=Histidine;Asp=Aspartic Acid;Ala=Alanineand wherein n has a value equal to, or larger than, 2.Said composition is useful for the preparation of antimalarial vaccines and of diagnostic kits for the detection of antimerozoite antibodies.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides constituted by at least two repeating, consecutive units of asparaginyl-proline (Asn-Pro).sub.n sequence, are described.The peptides are powerful immunogens, capable of inducing in laboratory animals the formation of a high concentration of antibodies capable of reacting both with the (Asn-Pro).sub.n peptides, and with the immunodominant epitope of the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum.The peptides, which can be obtained in a pure form by chemical synthesis, are particularly useful for preparing antimalarial vaccines and diagnostic kits for the determination of malaria in man.

Abstract: An immunoenzimatic method is disclosed for the detection and the measurement of anti-P. falciparum sporzoite antibodies in human blood and/or in its derivatives, which operates with a synthetic antigen-enzyme conjugate capable of forming with the antisporozoite antibodies a stable antibody-synthetic antigen-enzyme complex, and one or more proteins absorbed and/or covalently linked to a solid support, which eagerly bind the antisporozoite antibody of said complex.The method, thanks to its simpleness, specificity and rapidity, is particularly useful in epidemiologic investigations into malaria and into the efficacy of an antimalarial vaccine.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides consisting of at least two consecutive repeating units of the sequence (Ala-Asn-Asn-Pro) are powerful immunogens in experimental animals.The antibodies which form recognize both said synthetic peptides and the immunodominant epitope of the circumsporozoitic peptide of Plasmodium falciparum.Said peptides, obtainable in pure form, are particularly useful for preparing antimalarial vaccines and diagnostic kits for the determination of malarial affections.

Abstract: Immunologically active polypeptides constituted, towards the N-terminated end, by an Asn-Val-Asp-Pro-Asn-Ala-Asn-Pro sequence repeated three times and, towards the C-terminated end, by at least three quadruplets with an Asn-Ala-Asn-Pro sequence, linked with each other by means of an amidic bond between the end proline of the first sequence, and the initial asparagine of the first quadruplet.Said polypeptides reproduce nearly exactly the sequential structure of the circumsporozoite protein of P. falciparum, and are useful for the preparation of antimalarial vaccines and of diagnostic kits for the detection of antisporozoite antibodies in clinical samples of malariated persons.

Abstract: New partially retro-inverted tuftsin analogues of general formula I ##STR1## wherein R represents the side-chain of the amino acids threonine, methionine or leucineR.sup.1 represents the side-chain of the amino acids lysine or arginineR.sup.2 is hydrogen or a metabolically labile acyl group,all the asymmetric carbon atoms are either of the S- or R-configuration, or, alternatively, the first, third, and fourth asymmetric carbons, starting from the N-terminal residue, are of the S-configuration while the second one is of the R- or (R,S)-configuration, and the corresponding pharmacologically acceptable salts, esters and amides. The new compounds which share the same pharmacological properties of tuftsin, are much more stable toward the enzymatic degradation than the parent molecule.

Abstract: Hexapeptides with vasodilating and hypotensive activity are described corresponding to the formula: ##STR1## wherein:X is a hydrogen atom or an acyl radical R.sub.3 -CO- wherein R.sub.3 is a straight or branched (C.sub.1 -C.sub.7)alkyl group,R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, each independently, represent the side-chain residue of the amino acid glycine (--H), alanine (--CH.sub.3), valine ##STR2## leucine ##STR3## or isoleucine ##STR4## Arg is the abbreviated designation for arginine, Pro is the abbreviated designation for proline, Tyr is the abbreviated designation for tyrosine, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, lower alkyl esters and amides thereof, a process for their preparation and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: Pharmacologically active, partially retro-inverso, neurotensin-like peptides lasting longer than the natural hormone, corresponding to the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are straight or branched (C.sub.1 -C.sub.7) alkyl radicals.The new compounds are useful as vasodilating and hypotensive agents.