Abstract: Disclosed are polypeptides that are analogs of urocortin 2 that have pharmacological activity similar to urocortin 2 but have improved water solubility compared to urocortin 2, and pharmaceutical compositions of the polypeptides of the present invention. Also disclosed are polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of treating pathophysiological states employing pharmaceutical compositions of the polypeptides and polynucleotides of the present invention. In addition, disclosed are vectors and host cells that include a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide of the present invention, and kits that include pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are polypeptides that are analogs of urocortin 2 that have pharmacological activity similar to urocortin 2 but have improved water solubility compared to urocortin 2, and pharmaceutical compositions of the polypeptides of the present invention. Also disclosed are polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of treating pathophysiological states employing pharmaceutical compositions of the polypeptides and polynucleotides of the present invention. In addition, disclosed are vectors and host cells that include a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide of the present invention, and kits that include pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: A search of the public human genome database identified a human EST, GenBank accession number AW293249, which has high homology to known pufferfish urocortin sequences. The full length sequence was amplified from human genomic DNA and sequenced. Sequence homology comparisons of the novel sequence with human urocortin I and urocortin II revealed that the sequence encoded a novel human urocortin, which was designated urocortin III (UcnIII). While urocortin III does not have high affinity for either CRF-R1 or CRF-R2, the affinity for CRF-R2 is greater than the affinity for CRF-R1. Urocortin III is capable stimulating cyclic AMP production in cells expressing CRF-R2? or ?. Thus, the affinity is high enough that urocortin III could act as a native agonist of CRF-R2. However, it is also likely that urocortin III is a stronger agonist of a yet to b e identified receptor.

Abstract: A search of the public human genome database identified a human EST, GenBank accession number AW293249, which has high homology to known pufferfish urocortin sequences. The full length sequence was amplified from human genomic DNA and sequenced. Sequence homology comparisons of the novel sequence with human urocortin I and urocortin II revealed that the sequence encoded a novel human urocortin, which was designated urocortin III (UcnIII). While urocortin III does not have high affinity for either CRF-R1 or CRF-R2, the affinity for CRF-R2 is greater than the affinity for CRF-R1. Urocortin III is capable stimulating cyclic AMP production in cells expressing CRF-R2? or ?. Thus, the affinity is high enough that urocortin III could act as a native agonist of CRF-R2. However, it is also likely that urocortin III is a stronger agonist of a yet to be identified receptor.

Abstract: Disclosed are polypeptides that are analogs of urocortin 2 that have pharmacological activity similar to urocortin 2 but have improved water solubility compared to urocortin 2, and pharmaceutical compositions of the polypeptides of the present invention. Also disclosed are polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of treating pathophysiological states employing pharmaceutical compositions of the polypeptides and polynucleotides of the present invention. In addition, disclosed are vectors and host cells that include a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide of the present invention, and kits that include pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are polypeptides that are analogs of urocortin 2 that have pharmacological activity similar to urocortin 2 but have improved water solubility compared to urocortin 2, and pharmaceutical compositions of the polypeptides of the present invention. Also disclosed are polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of treating pathophysiological states employing pharmaceutical compositions of the polypeptides and polynucleotides of the present invention. In addition, disclosed are vectors and host cells that include a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide of the present invention, and kits that include pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: Cyclic CRF antagonist peptides having improved properties of “drugability”. The peptides are 33 residues in length with a lactam bond between the residues in position 22 and 25; however, they may be N-terminally shortened by up to 3 residues.

Abstract: A search of the public human genome database identified a human EST, GenBank accession number AW293249, which has high homology to known pufferfish urocortin sequences. The full length sequence was amplified from human genomic DNA and sequenced. Sequence homology comparisons of the novel sequence with human urocortin I and urocortin II revealed that the sequence encoded a novel human urocortin, which was designated urocortin III (UcnIII). While urocortin III does not have high affinity for either CRF-R1 or CRF-R2, the affinity for CRF-R2 is greater than the affinity for CRF-R1. Urocortin III is capable stimulating cyclic AMP production in cells expressing CRF-R2? or ?. Thus, the affinity is high enough that urocortin III could act as a native agonist of CRF-R2. However, it is also likely that urocortin III is a stronger agonist of a yet to be identified receptor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to somatostatin analogs which are receptor antagonists of the somatostatin receptor, including receptor-selective antagonists, especially sst2-selective antagonists. Related compounds and compositions are included, including antagonists complexed with or conjugated to radioactive nuclides. The antagonists of the invention are useful in diagnosing and treating neoplastic and non-neoplastic mammalian diseases; such methods, and kits, are encompassed.

Abstract: A search of the public human genome database identified a human EST, GenBank accession number AW293249, which has high homology to known pufferfish urocortin sequences. The full length sequence was amplified from human genomic DNA and sequenced. Sequence homology comparisons of the novel sequence with human urocortin I and urocortin II revealed that the sequence encoded a novel human urocortin, which was designated urocortin III (UcnIII). While urocortin III does not have high affinity for either CRF-R1 or CRF-R2, the affinity for CRF-R2 is greater than the affinity for CRF-R1. Urocortin III is capable stimulating cyclic AMP production in cells expressing CRF-R2? or ?. Thus, the affinity is high enough that urocortin III could act as a native agonist of CRF-R2. However, it is also likely that urocortin III is a stronger agonist of a yet to be identified receptor.

Abstract: Cyclic CRF antagonist peptides having improved properties of “drugability”. The peptides are 33 residues in length with a lactam bond between the residues in position 22 and 25; however, they may be N-terminally shortened by up to 3 residues.

Abstract: A search of the public human genome database identified a human EST, GenBank accession number AW293249, which has high homology to known pufferfish urocortin sequences. The full length sequence was amplified from human genomic DNA and sequenced. Sequence homology comparisons of the novel sequence with human urocortin I and urocortin II revealed that the sequence encoded a novel human urocortin, which was designated urocortin III (UcnIII). While urocortin III does not have high affinity for either CRF-R1 or CRF-R2, the affinity for CRF-R2 is greater than the affinity for CRF-R1. Urocortin III is capable stimulating cyclic AMP production in cells expressing CRF-R2? or ?. Thus, the affinity is high enough that urocortin III could act as a native agonist of CRF-R2. However, it is also likely that urocortin III is a stronger agonist of a yet to be identified receptor.

Abstract: SRIF peptide antagonists, which are selective for SSTR2 in contrast to the other cloned SRIF receptors and which bind with high affinity to the cloned human receptor SSTR2 but do not activate the receptor, have many useful functions. Because they do not bind with significant affinity to SSTR1, SSTR3, SSTR4 or SSTR5, their administration avoids potential undesirable side effects. By incorporating radioiodine or the like in these SSTR2-selective SRIF antagonists, a labeled compound useful in drug-screening methods is provided. Alternatively, for use in therapy, highly radioactive moieties can be N-terminally coupled, complexed or chelated thereto. Because they block the receptor function, they can be used therapeutically to block certain physiological effects which SSTR2 mediates.

Abstract: Peptidic NPY antagonists selective for Y1 having an organic chelator, such as DOTA, coupled thereto which are useful for diagnostic procedures and receptor-mediated radiotherapy.

Abstract: SRIF peptide antagonists, which are selective for SSTR2 in contrast to the other cloned SRIF receptors and which bind with high affinity to the cloned human receptor SSTR2 but do not activate the receptor, have many useful functions. Because they do not bind with significant affinity to SSTR1, SSTR3, SSTR4 or SSTR5, their administration avoids potential undesirable side effects. By incorporating radioiodine or the like in these SSTR2-selective SRIF antagonists, a labeled compound useful in drug-screening methods is provided. Alternatively, for use in therapy, highly radioactive moieties can be N-terminally coupled, complexed or chelated thereto. Because they block the receptor function, they can be used therapeutically to block certain physiological effects which SSTR2 mediates.

Abstract: SRIF peptide antagonists, which are selective for SSTR2 in contrast to the other cloned SRIF receptors and which bind with high affinity to the cloned human receptor SSTR2 but do not activate the receptor, have many useful functions. Because they do not bind with significant affinity to SSTR1, SSTR3, SSTR4 or SSTR5, their administration avoids potential undesirable side effects. Because they block the receptor function, they can be used therapeutically to block certain physiological effects which SSTR2 mediates. By incorporating radioiodine or the like in these SSTR2-selective SRIF antagonists, a labeled compound useful in drug-screening methods is provided. Alternatively, for use in therapy, highly radioactive moieties can be N-terminally coupled, complexed or chelated thereto.

Abstract: CRF peptide analogs that bind to CRFR1 with an affinity far greater than they bind to CRFR2. Some of these analogs exhibit CRF agonist activity. One exemplary analog that may be made by solid-phase synthesis is: (cyclo 31-34)[Ac-Pro4,D-Phe12,Nle18,21,Glu31,Lys34]-sucker urotensin(4-41).

Abstract: A human urocortin-related peptide with significant sequence homology to the CRF neuropeptide family was identified. A mouse CDNA was isolated from whole brain poly (A+) RNA that encodes a predicted 38 amino acid peptide protein designated herein as urocortin II. Both human URP and mouse Ucn II are structurally related to the other known mammalian family members, CRF and urocortin (Ucn). These peptides are involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis under basal and stress conditions, suggesting a similar role for URP and Ucn IL Synthesized Ucn-II and URP peptide binds with higher affinity to CRF-R2 than to CRF-R1 Ucn II and human URP appear to be involved in the regulation of body temperature and appetite and may play a role in other stress related phenomenon. These findings identify Ucn II and human URP as a new members of the CRF family of neuropeptides, which are expressed centrally and bind to CRF-R2.

Abstract: CRF peptide analogs that bind to CRFR1 with an affinity far greater than they bind to CRFR2. Some of these analogs exhibit CRF agonist activity. One exemplary analog that may be made by solid-phase synthesis is: (cyclo 31-34)[Ac-Pro4, D-Phe12, Nle18,21, Glu31, Lys34]-sucker urotensin(4-41).

Abstract: CRF peptide analogs that bind to CRFR1 with an affinity far greater than they bind to CRFR2. These analogs exhibit CRF agonist activity. One exemplary analog that may be made by solid-phase synthesis is (cyclo 31-34)[Ac-Pro4, D-Phe12, Nle21,38, Glu31, Lys34]-r/hCRF(4-41).