Abstract: The invention relates to the field of biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology and medicine. More in particular, the invention relates to cross-? structures and the biological role of these cross-? structures.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the use of a protease inhibitor in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of microbial infections. The invention further discloses the use of a compound binding to a cross-? structure or an antibody specific for a cross-? structure in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of microbial infections. The invention further discloses methods for attenuating microbial pathogens by deleting at least part of a gene encoding a cross-? structure forming protein. The invention also discloses an antimicrobial composition, and a kit for detecting microbial contamination in a solution or a substance.

Abstract: A proteinaceous molecule comprising a lysine and/or arginine residue and/or a functional equivalent thereof, capable of providing enhanced levels of plasmin in a mammal through tPA-mediated plasminogen activation for use as a pharmaceutical. Methods of treating diseases associated with angiogenesis and/or inflammatory disorders and/or conformational disorders and/or aging. Also, a proteinaceous molecule for suppressing tumor growth, to regress established tumors, to degrade amyloid-?, and/or to inhibit amyloid-? action. Additionally, a method for treating a disease associated with or dependent on angiogenesis and/or associated with amyloid deposition comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of a proteinaceous molecule comprising a lysine and/or arginine residue and/or a functional equivalent thereof, capable of providing enhanced levels of plasmin in the subject through tPA-mediated plasminogen activation.