Abstract: The present invention relates to methods that employ enzymes having Asx-specific ligase and cyclase activity, namely butelase-1, VyPAL2 and OaAEPI b, as a means for engineering novel (poly) peptide theranostics. The differential substrate specificities and differential optimal pH of the Asx-specific ligase and cyclase are used to provide sufficient orthogonality for a tandem ligation and cyclization of proteins. Also encompassed are the corresponding uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of ligating a first peptide via its C-terminus to the N-terminus of a second peptide, wherein the reaction is catalyzed by an asparagine/aspartate (Asx) peptide ligase OaAEPI Cys247Ala having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Further encompassed are a method of preparing a dimer, oligomer, or multimer of one or more peptides of interest and a method of modifying or tagging the surface of a target cell by one or more peptides of interest. Also encompassed in the invention are the ligated peptides and/or tagged target cells obtainable according to any of the methods, the peptide ligase OaAEPI Cys247Ala having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, as well as kits comprising said peptide ligase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of ligating a first peptide via its C-terminus to the N-terminus of a second peptide, wherein the reaction is catalyzed by an asparagine/aspartate (Asx) peptide ligase OaAEPI Cys247Ala having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Further encompassed are a method of preparing a dimer, oligomer, or multimer of one or more peptides of interest and a method of modifying or tagging the surface of a target cell by one or more peptides of interest. Also encompassed in the invention are the ligated peptides and/or tagged target cells obtainable according to any of the methods, the peptide ligase OaAEPI Cys247Ala having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, as well as kits comprising said peptide ligase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hyper-stable EGFR peptide ligands that are plant-derived, particularly isolated from Pereskia belo, as well as variants thereof. Also encompassed are nucleic acids encoding them, host cells comprising said nucleic acid, composition comprising peptide ligands, methods and therapeutic uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention lies in the technical field of enzyme technology and specifically relates to enzymes having Asx-specific ligase and cyclase activity and to nucleic acids encoding those as well as methods of the manufacture of said enzymes. The enzymes having Asx-specific ligase and cyclase are isolated from plants of the Violaceae family. Further encompassed are methods and uses of these enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the methods of solid-phase peptide synthesis or recombinant production of ginsentide or ginsentide-like peptides or salts thereof. Further provided are uses of the ginsentide or ginsentide-like peptides or salts thereof as al-adrenergic receptor antagonists and vasorelaxants, nitric oxide-boosting agents, anti-thrombotic agents, anti-atherosclerotic agents, as protective agents against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, anti-ageing and adaptogenic agents, nutraceuticals, health supplements, or cosmetic ingredients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the methods of solid-phase peptide synthesis or recombinant production of ginsentide or ginsentide-like peptides or salts thereof. Further provided are uses of the ginsentide or ginsentide-like peptides or salts thereof as ?1-adrenergic receptor antagonists and vasorelaxants, nitric oxide-boosting agents, anti-thrombotic agents, anti-atherosclerotic agents, as protective agents against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, anti-ageing and adaptogenic agents, nutraceuticals, health supplements, or cosmetic ingredients.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enzymes having Asx-specific ligase and cyclase activity and to nucleic acids encoding those as well as methods of the manufacture of said enzymes. Further encompassed are methods and uses of these enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a peptide of Formula (I) (P1-Xaa1-Xaa2-P2) by ligating a first peptide of Formula (II) (P1-Xaa1-X—R, wherein X is O or S) to a second peptide of Formula (III) (Xaa1-Xaa2-P2) by enzymatically cleaving the bond between “Asx” and “X” in the first peptide of Formula (II) and ligating the fragment P1-Asx of the first peptide to the second peptide of Formula (III), wherein the enzymatic cleavage and ligation reaction is catalyzed by butelase 1 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and the peptide of Formula (I) is a depsipeptide, preferably a thiodepsipeptide. Further encompassed are peptides and dendrimeric peptide assemblies prepared using the presently disclosed method, as well as use of the dendrimeric peptide assemblies as a vaccine, medicament, or diagnostic agent, particularly as an antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the methods of solid-phase peptide synthesis or recombinant production of ginsentide or ginsentide-like peptides or salts thereof. Further provided are uses of the ginsentide or ginsentide-like peptides or salts thereof as ?1-adrenergic receptor antagonists and vasorelaxants, nitric oxide-boosting agents, anti-thrombotic agents, anti-atherosclerotic agents, as protective agents against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, anti-ageing and adaptogenic agents, nutraceuticals, health supplements, or cosmetic ingredients.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enzymes having Asx-specific ligase and cyclase activity and to nucleic acids encoding those as well as methods of the manufacture of said enzymes. Further encompassed are methods and uses of these enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enzymes having Asx-specific ligase and cyclase activity and to nucleic acids encoding those as well as methods of the manufacture of said enzymes. Further encompassed are methods and uses of these enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of ligating a first peptide via its C-terminus to the N-terminus of a second peptide, wherein the reaction is catalyzed by an asparagine/aspartate (Asx) peptide ligase OaAEPI Cys247Ala having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Further encompassed are a method of preparing a dimer, oligomer, or multimer of one or more peptides of interest and a method of modifying or tagging the surface of a target cell by one or more peptides of interest. Also encompassed in the invention are the ligated peptides and/or tagged target cells obtainable according to any of the methods, the peptide ligase OaAEPI Cys247Ala having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, as well as kits comprising said peptide ligase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a peptide of Formula (I) (P1-Xaa1-Xaa2-P2) by ligating a first peptide of Formula (II) (P1-Xaa1-X—R, wherein X is O or S) to a second peptide of Formula (II I) (Xaa1-Xaa2-P2) by enzymatically cleaving the bond between “Asx” and “X” in the first peptide of Formula (II) and ligating the fragment P1-Asx of the first peptide to the second peptide of Formula (III), wherein the enzymatic cleavage and ligation reaction is catalyzed by butelase 1 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and the peptide of Formula (I) is a depsipeptide, preferably a thiodepsipeptide. Further encompassed are peptides and dendrimeric peptide assemblies prepared using the presently disclosed method, as well as use of the dendrimeric peptide assemblies as a vaccine, medicament, or diagnostic agent, particularly as an antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enzymes having Asx-specific ligase and cyclase activity and to nucleic acids encoding those as well as methods of the manufacture of said enzymes. Further encompassed are methods and uses of these enzymes.

Abstract: A method for peptide synthesis is disclosed that requires neither protecting groups nor activation of the C-&agr; carboxyl groups. The method comprises ligating a first molecule to a second molecule by promoting the orthogonal coupling of the molecules to each other. In an aspect of this method, an acyl-type reaction occurs between the molecules. The method contemplates the joining of molecules of variant size to each other, as well as the coupling of multiple identical molecules. The invention also covers the ligation of unprotected peptide, proteins or nonpeptide segments to prepare therapeutic products and synthetic vaccines with linear, circularized, or branched backbone structures, as well as the site-specific modification of peptides or proteins by lipidation and pegylation.

Abstract: A method of chemical ligation of peptides that requires no side chain protecting groups and no activation of the C-.alpha. carboxyl group is presented. The method consists of three steps. In the first step, initiation, a masked glycoaldehyde ester is enzymatically or chemically coupled to the C-terminal carboxylic acid of an sidechain unprotected first peptide. In the second step, ring formation, the masked aldehyde ester of the first peptide is unmasked, and then reacted with the N-.alpha. amino acid of a second sidechain unprotected peptide to form a ring structure. In the third step, rearrangement, the O-acyl ester linkage transfers at higher pH to an N-acyl linkage on the ring to form a peptide bond.

Abstract: A multiple antigenic peptide system is disclosed that comprises a dendritic core and peptide and a lipophilic anchoring moiety. This particular combination has as an advantage that it eliminates the need for the inclusion of adjuvants found to be toxic to humans, and facilitates the exponential amplification of the antigenic potential of a vaccine prepared therefrom, as noncovalent amplification by a liposome or micellar form is possible. Further, multiple different antigenic peptides may be attached so that the system may be prepared for administration to concurrently treat diverse ailments, such as for example, AIDS and influenza. The present multiple antigen peptide system is capable of eliciting an immune response when injected into a mammal, and accordingly, vaccines prepared from the system and methods of use including therapeutic protocols are included.

Abstract: A method for the solid-phase synthesis of peptides or proteins in high yield and high purity uses a solid support consisting of a functionalized polystyrene-grafted polymer substrate, the grafted polystyrene chains being substantially non-cross-linked and having a chain molecular weight, not including optional non-reactive substituents, of at least 200,000, preferably in the range of 600,000-1,200,000. Particularly suitable polymer substrates are substrates of a polyolefin such as polyethylene. The method is particularly well-suited to the compartmentalized synthesis of a multitude of peptides or proteins in a parallel and substantially simultaneous fashion.

Abstract: A method for the solid-phase synthesis of peptides or proteins in high yield and high purity uses a solid-support consisting of a functionalized polystyrene-grafted polymer substrate, the grafted polystyrene chains being substantially non-cross-linked and having a chain molecular weight, not including optional non-reactive substituents, of at least 200,000, preferably in the range of 600,000-1,200,000. Particularly suitable polymer substrates are substrates of a polyolefin such as polyethylene. The method is particularly well-suited to the compartmentalized synthesis of a multitude of peptides or proteins in a parallel and substantially simultaneous fashion.