Abstract: Conformational isomers of modified versions of ?-Synuclein (?Syn), a protein that is associated with Parkinson's disease, have been designed and produced. These conformational isomers are produced by introducing cysteines into the ?-Synuclein and scrambling the disulfide bonds to form stable and immunogenic isomers. These isomers are generically referred to as X-isomers. X-?Syn is an X-isomer of ?Syn. X-?Syn is generally more immunogenic than wt-?Syn. Two groups of X-?Syn have been produced. One group is 3-disulfide X-?Syn(3SS) produced by introducing 6 Cys mutations into the ?Syn. The second group is 2-disulfide X-?Syn(2SS), produced by introducing 4 Cys mutations into the ?-Syn. In each of these two groups of X-?Syn, Cys was introduced not only wt-?Syn, but also in two Parkinson Disease associated ?Syn mutants, A30P-?Syn and A53T-?Syn. All six sets of X-?Syn exhibit enhanced aggregation as compared to wt-?Syn, and should therefore more much more immunogenic.

Abstract: Prion peptides exhibiting structural isomerism to wild-type prion peptide are disclosed. The invention further discloses methods of making prion isomers, compositions comprising prion isomers, and compositions and products comprising antibody to a prion isomer. Methods for screening a patient for a neuro-degenerative disease, and methods for treating a patient afflicted with a neuro-degenerative disease are also disclosed.

Abstract: Prion peptides exhibiting structural isomerism to wild-type prion peptide are disclosed. The invention further discloses methods of making prion isomers, compositions comprising prion isomers, and compositions and products comprising antibody to a prion isomer. Methods for screening a patient for a neuro-degenerative disease, and methods for treating a patient afflicted with a neuro-degenerative disease are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of thrombin inhibitors and describes the production of modified desulphatohirudins, particularly desulphatohirudins, with the aid of genetic engineering. The present invention is also directed to a method for the denaturation and renaturation of a modified desulphatohirudin to a biologically active thrombin inhibitor and the combination of two or more of desulphatohirudins to form higher molecular weight thrombin inhibitors.