Abstract: Described are peptides and peptide mimetics that bind to and activate the thrombopoietin receptor. Such peptides and peptide mimetics are useful in methods for treating hematological disorders and particularly, thrombocytopenia resulting from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow transfusions as well as in diagnostic methods employing labeled peptides and peptide mimetics.

Abstract: Described are peptides and peptide mimetics that bind to and activate the thrombopoietin receptor. Such peptides and peptide mimetics are useful in methods for treating hematological disorders and particularly, thrombocytopenia resulting from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow transfusions as well as in diagnostic methods employing labeled peptides and peptide mimetics.

Abstract: Expression vectors for expressing multimeric polypeptides that are anchored on surfaces of genetically replicable packages are disclosed. The expression vectors include a vector segment encoding a polypeptide sequence having three polypeptide segments. One of the segments contains a cleavable peptide sequence cleavable by a proteolytic agent, and another segment has an anchoring peptide sequence for anchoring the multimeric polypeptide to the surface of the genetically replicable package. The cleavable peptide sequence is cleaved by the proteolytic agent and the first segment associates with the third segment to form the multimeric polypeptide. Also disclosed are methods, host cells, and kits employing the expression vectors.