Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short conotoxin peptides, about 10-20 residues in length as described herein, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds. These conotoxin peptides have analgesic activity and are thus useful for treating or preventing pain.

Abstract: The present invention is to &mgr;-conopeptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention is further directed to the use of this peptide, derivatives thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the treatment of disorders associated with voltage-gated sodium channels. Thus, the &mgr;-conopeptides or derivatives are useful as neuromuscular blocking agents, local anesthetic agents, analgesic agents and neuroprotective agents. The &mgr;-conopeptides are also useful for treating neuromuscular disorders. The invention is further directed to nucleic acid sequences encoding the &mgr;-conopeptides and encoding propeptides, as well as the propeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short conotoxin peptides, about 10-20 residues in length as described herein, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds. These conotoxin peptides have analgesic activity and are thus useful for treating or preventing pain.

Abstract: The present invention is to &mgr;-conopeptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention is further directed to the use of this peptide, derivatives thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the treatment of disorders associated with voltage-gated sodium channels. Thus, the &mgr;-conopeptides or derivatives are useful as neuromuscular blocking agents, local anesthetic agents, analgesic agents and neuroprotective agents. The &mgr;-conopeptides are also useful for treating neuromuscular disorders. The invention is further directed to nucleic acid sequences encoding the &mgr;-conopeptides and encoding propeptides, as well as the propeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to contulakin-G (which is the native glycosylated peptide), a des-glycosylated contulakin-G (termed Thr10-contulakin-G), and derivatives thereof, to a cDNA clone encoding a precursor of this mature peptide and to a precursor peptide. The invention is further directed to the use of this peptide as a therapeutic for anti-seizure, anti-inflammatory, anti-shock, anti-thrombus, hypotensive, analgesia, anti-psychotic, Parkinson's disease, gastrointestinal disorders, depressive states, cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, tardive dyskinesia, drug dependency, panic attack, mania, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, ulcer, GI tumors, Tourette's syndrome, Huntington's chorea, vascular leakage, anti-arteriosclerosis, vascular and vasodilation disorders, as well as neurological, neuropharmalogical and neuropsychopharmacological disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to conantokin peptides, conantokin peptide derivatives and conantokin peptide chimeras, referred to collectively as conantokins, having 10-30 amino acids, including preferably two or more &ggr;-carboxyglutamic acid residues. The contantokins are useful for the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as anticonvulsant agents, neuroprotective agents or analgesic agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to relatively short peptides about 25-40 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogs to the naturally available peptides, and which include three cyclizing disulfide linkages and one or more &ggr;-carboxyglutamate residues.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to P-superfamily conopeptides, to DNA encoding precursors of the P-superfamily conopeptides and to the precursor peptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to conotoxin peptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention is further directed to the use of this peptide, derivatives thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the treatment of disorders associated with voltage-gated ion channels, voltage-gated ligand channels and/or receptors. The invention is further directed to nucleic acid sequences encoding the conotoxin peptides and encoding propeptides, as well as the propeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is to &mgr;-conopeptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention is further directed to the use of this peptide, derivatives thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the treatment of disorders associated with voltage-gated sodium channels. Thus, the &mgr;-conopeptides or derivatives are useful as neuromuscular blocking agents, local anesthetic agents, analgesic agents and neuroprotective agents. The &mgr;-conopeptides are also useful for treating neuromuscular disorders. The invention is further directed to nucleic acid sequences encoding the &mgr;-conopeptides and encoding propeptides, as well as the propeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to conantokin peptides, conantokin peptide derivatives and conantokin peptide chimeras, referred to collectively as conantokins, having 10-30 amino acids, including preferably two or more &ggr;-carboxyglutamic acid residues. The conantokins are useful for the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as anticonvulsant agents, neuroprotective agents or analgesic agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to contulakin-G (which is the native glycosylated peptide), a des-glycosylated contulakin-G (termed Thr10-contulakin-G), and derivatives thereof, to a cDNA clone encoding a precursor of this mature peptide and to a precursor peptide. The invention is further directed to the use of this peptide as a therapeutic for anti-seizure, anti-inflammatory, anti-shock, anti-thrombus, hypotensive, analgesia, anti-psychotic, Parkinson's disease, gastrointestinal disorders, depressive states, cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, tardive dyskinesia, drug dependency, panic attack, mania, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, ulcer, GI tumors, Tourette's syndrome, Huntington's chorea, vascular leakage, anti-arteriosclerosis, vascular and vasodilation disorders, as well as neurological, neuropharmalogical and neuropsychopharmacological disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to contulakin-G (which is the native glycosylated peptide), a des-glycosylated contulakin-G (termed Thr10-contulakin-G), and derivatives thereof, to a cDNA clone encoding a precursor of this mature peptide and to a precursor peptide. The invention is further directed to the use of this peptide as a therapeutic for anti-seizure, anti-inflammatory, anti-shock, anti-thrombus, hypotensive, analgesia, anti-psychotic, Parkinson's disease, gastrointestinal disorders, depressive states, cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, tardive dyskinesia, drug dependency, panic attack, mania, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, ulcer, GI tumors, Tourette's syndrome, Huntington's chorea, vascular leakage, anti-arteriosclerosis, vascular and vasodilation disorders, as well as neurological, neuropharmalogical and neuropsychopharmacological disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to contulakin-G (which is the native glycosylated peptide), a des-glycosylated contulakin-G (termed Thr10-contulakin-G), and derivatives thereof, to a cDNA clone encoding a precursor of this mature peptide and to a precursor peptide. The invention is further directed to the use of this peptide as a therapeutic for anti-seizure, anti-inflammatory, anti-shock, anti-thrombus, hypotensive, analgesia, anti-psychotic, Parkinson's disease, gastrointestinal disorders, depressive states, cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, tardive dyskinesia, drug dependency, panic attack, mania, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, ulcer, GI tumors, Tourette's syndrome, Huntington's chorea, vascular leakage, anti-arteriosclerosis, vascular and vasodilation disorders, as well as neurological, neuropharmalogical and neuropsychopharmacological disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to contryphan peptides having 6-12 amino acids, preferably including one or more D-tryptophan or D-leucine residues. The peptides of the present invention are generically termed "contryphans," although the D-leucine containing contryphans are sometimes referred to as leu-contryphans. More specifically, the present invention is directed to contryphan peptides having the general formula Xaa.sub.1 -Cys-Xaa.sub.2 -Xaa.sub.3 -Xaa.sub.4 -Pro-Xaa.sub.5 -Cys (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein Xaa.sub.1 is any amino acid or des-Xaa.sub.1, Xaa.sub.2 is Pro, 4-trans-hydroxyproline or Val, Xaa.sub.3 is D-Trp, L-Trp, D-Leu or L-Leu, preferably D-Trp or D-Leu, Xaa.sub.4 is any amino acid and Xaa.sub.5 is Trp or Tyr. When the peptide contains Xaa.sub.1, it is preferably Gly, Glu, or Lys, most preferably Gly. When Xaa.sub.3 is D- or L-Trp, Xaa.sub.2 is preferably Pro or 4-trans-hydroxyproline. When Xaa.sub.3 is D- or L-Leu, Xaa.sub.2 is preferably Val.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to contryphan peptides having 6-12 amino acids, preferably including one or more D-tryptophan or D-leucine residues. The peptides of the present invention are generically termed "contryphans," although the D-leucine containing contryphans are sometimes referred to as leu-contryphans. More specifically, the present invention is directed to contryphan peptides having the general formula Xaa.sub.1 -Cys-Xaa.sub.2 -Xaa.sub.3 -Xaa.sub.4 -Pro-Xaa.sub.5 -Cys (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein Xaa.sub.1, is any amino acid or des-Xaa.sub.1, Xaa.sub.2 is Pro, 4-trans-hydroxyproline or Val, Xaa.sub.3 is D-Trp, L-Trp, D-Leu or L-Leu, preferably D-Trp or D-Leu, Xaa.sub.4 is any amino acid and Xaa.sub.5 is Trp or Tyr. When the peptide contains Xaa.sub.1, it is preferably Gly, Glu, or Lys, most preferably Gly. When Xaa.sub.3 is D- or L-Trp, Xaa.sub.2 is preferably Pro or 4-trans-hydroxyproline. When Xaa.sub.3 is D- or L-Leu, Xaa.sub.2 is preferably Val.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to conopeptides having 6-45 amino acids, including one or more bromo-tryptophan residues. More specifically, the present invention is directed to conopeptides having the general formula: R-(Cys).sub.n -R.sup.1 -B-R.sup.2 -Cys-R.sup.3, wherein R is a peptide chain of 0-24 amino acids, R.sup.1 is a peptide chain of 0 to 31 amino acids, R.sup.2 is a peptide chain of 0-29 amino acids, R.sup.3 is a peptide chain of 0 to 26 amino acids, B is 6-bromo-tryptophan, n is 0 or 1 and the total length of the conopeptide is from about 6 to about 45 amino acids. The invention also includes pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the conopeptides. These bromo-tryptophan containing conopeptides invention are useful as antihelminthic agents, anti-vomiting agents, sleep-inducing agents, adjuncts to anesthesia, anticonvulsant or neuroprotective agents.

Abstract: Substantially pure conotoxins are provided which inhibit synaptic transmissions at the neuromuscular junctions and which are useful both in vivo and in assays because they specifically target particular receptors, such as the acetylcholine receptor, and ion channels. The peptides are of such length that they can be made by chemical synthesis. They also may be made using recombinant DNA techniques, and the DNA encoding such conotoxins having pesticidal properties can be incorporated as plant defense genes into plant species of interest.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a new .mu.-conotoxin named GIIIA. .mu.-Conotoxin PIIIA consists of 22 amino residues and is found in the Eastern Pacific fish-hunting species Conus purpurascens. This conotoxin is a new Na.sup.+ channel blocker and can be used to resolve tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels into three categories: 1) sensitive to .mu.-PIIIA and .mu.-conotoxin GIIIA; 2) sensitive to .mu.-PIIIA but not to .mu.-GIIIA; and 3) sensitive to neither of these two .mu.-conotoxins. In rat brain, binding competition studies between the two .mu.-conotoxins and saxitoxin suggest at least three pharmacologically distinguishable binding sites. Thus, .mu.-conotoxin PIIIA should be a key tool for distinguishing among different sodium channel subtypes.

Abstract: Substantially pure conotoxins are provided which inhibit synaptic transmissions at the neuromuscular junctions and which are useful both in vivo and in assays because they specifically target particular receptors, such as the acetyl-choline receptor, and ion channels. The peptides are of such length that they can be made by chemical synthesis. They also may be made using recombinant DNA techniques, and the DNA encoding such conotoxins having pesticidal properties can be incorporated as plant defense genes into plant species of interest.