Abstract: The invention provides compounds having the general formula I: and salts thereof, wherein the variables R1, R2, R3 and R4 have the meaning as described herein, and compositions containing such compounds and methods for using such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a compound of formula (I) or a compound of formula (II): R1—A1—A2—A3—A4—N(R2)2 ??(I) R3—A5—A6—A7—A8—N(R4)2 ??(II) or a salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, and A8 are as defined herein, as well as methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds having the general formula I: and salts thereof, wherein the variables R1, R2, R3 and R4 have the meaning as described herein, and compositions containing such compounds and methods for using such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a cyclic compound of formula I: wherein: Pro is a residue of L-proline; X1 is a residue of Arg or DArg; X2 is a residue of Phe or DPhe; X3 is a residue of Phe, DPhe or hPhe; X4 is a residue of a natural or unnatural amino acid; X5 is a residue of Ala, Asp, Glu, Lys, His, Phe, Ser, Leu or Gly; X6 is a residue of Phe, Ala, Gly, Ser, Lys, Asp, Leu, Nle, Trp, Tyr, Cha or hPhe; and DPro is a residue of D-proline; or a salt thereof. Certain embodiments also provide compositions comprising such compounds, as well as methods of using such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds having the general formula I: and salts thereof, wherein the variables Pro, DPro, DPhe, Arg, Trp, X1, X2, X3 and X4 have the meaning as described herein, and compositions containing such compounds and methods for using such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a cyclic compound of formula I: wherein Pro, DPro, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, and X6 are defined as described herein; or a salt thereof. Certain embodiments also provide compositions comprising such compounds, as well as methods of using such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a compound of formula (I): R1—C(?O)—W—X—Y—Z—N(R2)2??(I) or a salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, W, X, Y and Z are as defined herein, as well as methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a cyclic compound of formula I: wherein: Pro is a residue of L-proline; X1 is a residue of Arg or DArg; X2 is a residue of Phe or DPhe; X3 is a residue of Phe, DPhe or hPhe; X4 is a residue of a natural or unnatural amino acid; X5 is a residue of Ala, Asp, Glu, Lys, His, Phe, Ser, Leu or Gly; X6 is a residue of Phe, Ala, Gly, Ser, Lys, Asp, Leu, Nle, Trp, Tyr, Cha or hPhe; and DPro is a residue of D-proline; or a salt thereof. Certain embodiments also provide compositions comprising such compounds, as well as methods of using such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds having the general formula I: Y—X—Z ??I and salts thereof, wherein the variables X, Y, and Z have the meaning as described herein, and compositions containing such compounds and methods for using such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds having the general formula I: and salts thereof, wherein the variables Pro, DPro, DPhe, Arg, Trp, X1, X2, X3 and X4 have the meaning as described herein, and compositions containing such compounds and methods for using such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a compound of formula (I): R1—C(?O)—W—X—Y—Z—N(R2)2 ??(I) or a salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, W, X, Y and Z are as defined herein, as well as methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel ligands based on an AGRP template that can rescue endogenous melanocortin agonist and/or antagonist dysfunction at MCR polymorphisms. In particular, the present invention provides novel synthetic ligands based on AGRP templates that can rescue endogenous melanocortin agonist dysfunction at MC4R polymorphisms to treat children and adults with these mutations and increase their quality of life.

Abstract: ACTH analog compounds of the present invention include compounds comprising an ACTH peptide sequence with one or more structural modifications that can have one or more of the following preferred ACTH analog biological functions: (1) reduction of corticosteroid secretion by adrenal membrane in the presence of the ACTH analog compared to unmodified ACTH, (2) reduction of corticosteroid secretion by adrenal membrane in the presence of endogenous ACTH and (3) increased MC-2R binding affinity with reduced activation of the MC-2R receptor compared to unmodified ACTH binding to the MC-2R melanocortin. The ACTH analog compounds of the present invention are therefore useful for treatment or prevention of diseases and disorders related to ACTH, ACTH receptors or corticosteroid secretion, such as premature labor and Cushing's Disease.

Abstract: ACTH analog compounds of the present invention include compounds comprising an ACTH peptide sequence with one or more structural modifications that can have one or more of the following preferred ACTH analog biological functions: (1) reduction of corticosteroid secretion by adrenal membrane in the presence of the ACTH analog compared to unmodified ACTH, (2) reduction of corticosteroid secretion by adrenal membrane in the presence of endogenous ACTH and (3) increased MC-2R binding affinity with reduced activation of the MC-2R receptor compared to unmodified ACTH binding to the MC-2R melanocortin. The ACTH analog compounds of the present invention are therefore useful for treatment or prevention of diseases and disorders related to ACTH, ACTH receptors or corticosteroid secretion, such as premature labor and Cushing's Disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chimeric peptides and templates containing a combination of antagonist and agonist endogenous ligand residues. In particular, the present invention relates to novel chimeric peptides and templates thereof based upon melanocortin agonist peptides and agouti related protein (AGRP). The present invention provides multifunctional chimeric peptides having specific bioactivity at melanocortin receptors and their use as drugs to treat various diseases and conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel ligands based on an AGRP template that can rescue endogenous melanocortin agonist and/or antagonist dysfunction at MCR polymorphisms. In particular, the present invention provides novel synthetic ligands based on AGRP templates that can rescue endogenous melanocortin agonist dysfunction at MC4R polymorphisms to treat children and adults with these mutations and increase their quality of life.

Abstract: ACTH analog compounds of the present invention include compounds comprising an ACTH peptide sequence with one or more structural modifications that can have one or more of the following preferred ACTH analog biological functions: (1) reduction of corticosteroid secretion by adrenal membrane in the presence of the ACTH analog compared to unmodified ACTH, (2) reduction of corticosteroid secretion by adrenal membrane in the presence of endogenous ACTH and (3) increased MC-2R binding affinity with reduced activation of the MC-2R receptor compared to unmodified ACTH binding to the MC-2R melanocortin. The ACTH analog compounds of the present invention are therefore useful for treatment or prevention of diseases and disorders related to ACTH, ACTH receptors or corticosteroid secretion, such as premature labor and Cushing's Disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chimeric peptides and templates containing a combination of antagonist and agonist endogenous ligand residues. In particular, the present invention relates to novel chimeric peptides and templates thereof based upon melanocortin agonist peptides and agouti related protein (AGRP). The present invention provides multifunctional chimeric peptides having specific bioactivity at melanocortin receptors and their use as drugs to treat various diseases and conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chimeric peptides and templates containing a combination of antagonist and agonist endogenous ligand residues. In particular, the present invention relates to novel chimeric peptides and templates thereof based upon melanocortin agonist peptides and agouti related protein (AGRP). The present invention provides multifunctional chimeric peptides having specific bioactivity at melanocortin receptors and their use as drugs to treat various diseases and conditions.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel peptides for use in treating mammals to control appetite and obesity. Disclosed is a peptide derivative having the formula: X1-Z-Q-arg-trp-NH2 wherein: X1 is an acyl group, Z is amino-2-naphthyl-carboxylic acid or histidine, Q is (D)phenylalanine or p-iodo-(D)phenylalanine, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, complex or derivative thereof, the peptide derivative having melanocortin-4 receptor agonist activity.