Abstract: A melanocortin receptor-specific compound of the general formula of structure I: where X, R1, R2a, R2b, R3, R4a, R4b, R5a and R5b are as defined in the specification, which compound binds with high affinity to one or more melanocortin receptors and is optionally an agonist, an antagonist, an inverse agonist or an antagonist of an inverse agonist, and may be employed for treatment of one or melanocortin receptor-associated conditions or disorders, and methods for the use of the compounds of the invention.

Abstract: Method of making metallopeptides is provided, for use in biological, pharmaceutical and related applications. The metallopeptides are made of peptides, peptidomimetics and peptide-like constructs, and include a metal ion-binding region thereof which includes at least one orthogonal sulfur-protecting group, in which the peptide, peptidomimetic or construct is conformationally fixed on deprotection of the sulfur and complexation of the metal ion-binding region with a metal ion while the peptide, peptidomimetic or construct is cleavably bound to solid phase.

Abstract: Metallopeptides with a sequence of a biologically active alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (?-MSH), gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone (?-MSH), or bombesin sequence of length n residues, wherein a residue including a nitrogen atom and sulfur atom each available for complexation to a metal ion is inserted at any position from between the two and three position to the C-terminus side of the n position, or alternatively is substituted for the residue at any position from the three position to the n position, with a metal ion complexed thereto, with any proline (Pro) residue which is either of the two residues on the immediately adjacent N-terminus side of the inserted or substituent residue comprising a nitrogen atom and sulfur atom available for complexation to a metal ion is substituted with a homolog.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific piperazine or ketopiperazine compounds having the structure: and stereoisomer and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where X is CH2 or C?O, R1, R2, and R3 are as described in the specification, preferably where R3 is a D-amino acid with at least one substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or naphthyl aromatic ring, and where R3 optionally further includes an amine capping group, a second amino acid residue or a second amino acid residue with an amine capping group, which compounds are agonists, antagonists or mixed agonists and antagonists at one or more melanocortin receptors, and having utility in the treatment of melanocortin receptor-related disorders and conditions. Methods of synthesis of compounds of structure (I), pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of structure (I) and methods relating to the use thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identification and determination of target-specific sites in peptides and proteins, including a method for determining the primary sequence of a secondary structure within a known parent polypeptide that binds to the target of interest. In one embodiment of the invention, a residue or mimetic containing a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom available for binding to a metal ion is serially substituted for single residues in or inserted between adjacent residues in a known primary sequence of a peptide or protein. The resulting sequence is complexed with a metal ion thereby forming a metallopeptide. The resulting metallopeptides are then used in binding or functional assays related to the target of interest, and the metallopeptide(s) which result in significant or substantially decreased or changed binding or functionality are determined to identify the primary sequence involved in such binding or functionality.

Abstract: There is provided compounds having the formula of structure I: wherein the groups —C(R8)(CH2)vCH(R9)(CH2)y-Q and —C(R8)(CH2)vCH(R9)(CH2)y-J are the same, and R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b, R8, R9, J, Q, W, X, L2, v and y have meanings given in the description. Thus use of such compounds in the treatment of a condition responsive to changes in melanocortin receptor function in a human or non-human mammal (e.g. male sexual dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction, an eating disorder, above optimal body weight, obesity, below-optimal body weight or cachexia) is also described.

Abstract: A highly selective melanocortin-4 receptor antagonist cyclic hexapeptide of the formula where R1, R2, R3a, R3b, R4, R5, x, y and z are as defined in the specification, and a method of treating body weight disorders, including cachexia, sarcopenia and wasting syndrome or disease, and treating inflammation and immune disorders.

Abstract: A highly selective melanocortin-4 receptor antagonist cyclic peptide of the formula where R1, R2, R3, R4a, R4b, R5, R6, R7, x, y and z are as defined in the specification, and a method of treating body weight disorders, including cachexia, sarcopenia and wasting syndrome or disease, and treating inflammation and immune disorders.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific bicyclic compounds having the structure: and stereoisomer and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where R1, R2, R3 X and z are as described in the specification, which are agonists, antagonists or mixed agonists and antagonists at one or more melanocortin receptors, and having utility in the treatment of melanocortin receptor-related disorders and conditions. Pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of structure (I) and methods relating to the use thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Metallopeptides are provided for use in treatment of sexual dysfunction in mammals. The metallopeptides are agonists for at least one of melanocortin-3 or melanocortin-4 receptors. The metallopeptides are conformationally fixed on complexation of a metal ion-binding portion thereof with a metal ion. Also provided are metallopeptides that are antagonists for at least one of melanocortin-3 or melanocortin-4 receptors.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific pyrrolidine compounds having the structure: and stereoisomer and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where R1, R2, and R3 are as described in the specification, preferably where R3 is a D-amino acid with at least one substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or naphthyl aromatic ring, and where R3 optionally further includes an amine capping group or from one to three additional amino acid residues, optionally with an amine capping group, which compounds are agonists, antagonists or mixed agonists and antagonists at one or more melanocortin receptors, and having utility in the treatment of melanocortin receptor-related disorders and conditions. Methods of synthesis of compounds of structure (I), pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of structure (I) and methods relating to the use thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific pyrrolidine compounds having the structure: and stereoisomer and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where R1, R2, and R3 are as described in the specification, preferably where R3 is a D-amino acid with at least one substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or naphthyl aromatic ring, and where R3 optionally further includes an amine capping group or from one to three additional amino acid residues, optionally with an amine capping group, which compounds are agonists, antagonists or mixed agonists and antagonists at one or more melanocortin receptors, and having utility in the treatment of melanocortin receptor-related disorders and conditions. Methods of synthesis of compounds of structure (I), pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of structure (I) and methods relating to the use thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific compounds of the general formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where X, W, J, Q, L1, L2, L3, R1a, R1b, R2a, and R2b are as defined in the specification, and the carbon atom marked with an asterisk can have any stereochemical configuration. Compounds disclosed herein bind to one or more melanocortin receptors and may be an agonist, a partial agonist, an antagonist, an inverse agonist or an antagonist of an inverse agonist as to one or more melanocortin receptors, and may be employed for treatment of one or more melanocortin receptor-associated conditions or disorders, including specifically treatment of obesity and related conditions.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific compounds of the general formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where J is a substituted or unsubstituted monocyclic or bicyclic ring structure, W is a heteroatom unit with at least one cationic center, hydrogen bond donor or hydrogen bond acceptor, Q is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic carbocyclic ring group, L, R2a, R2b, R3a, R3b, r, x and y are as defined in the specification, and the carbon atoms marked with an asterisk can have any stereochemical configuration. Compounds disclosed herein bind to one or more melanocortin receptors and may be an agonist, a partial agonist, an antagonist, an inverse agonist or an antagonist of an inverse agonist as to one or more melanocortin receptors, and may be employed for treatment of one or more melanocortin receptor-associated conditions or disorders, including specifically treatment of obesity and related conditions.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific compounds with diamine groups of the general formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where W is a diamine heteroatom unit with at least one cationic center, hydrogen bond donor or hydrogen bond acceptor, J, Q, L1, L2, L3, R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b and X are as defined in the specification, and the carbon atom marked with an asterisk can have any stereochemical configuration. Compounds disclosed herein bind to one or more melanocortin receptors and may be an agonist, a partial agonist, an antagonist, an inverse agonist or an antagonist of an inverse agonist as to one or more melanocortin receptors, and may be employed for treatment of one or more melanocortin receptor-associated conditions or disorders, including specifically treatment of obesity and related conditions.

Abstract: An architecture for stacking DSLAMs employs a master DSLAM having a control circuit and an uplink communication circuit to a central office and two LVDS circuits for communication with two DSLAM boxes in adjacent circuit interconnection to the master DSLAM. Multiple slave DSLAMs each having a programmable control circuit and two LVDS circuits for communication with two DSLAM boxes immediately adjacent on either side in the circuit are connected in a ring or split stack arrangement. A control circuit in the master selectively programs the control circuits in each slave DSLAM to control the direction of communication in the LVDS circuits as round robin in a first selected mode and a split in a second selected mode to accommodate the desired structure.

Abstract: A highly selective melanocortin-4 receptor antagonist cyclic hexapeptide of the formula where R1, R2, R3a, R3b, R4, R5, x, y and z are as defined in the specification, and a method of treating body weight disorders, including cachexia, sarcopenia and wasting syndrome or disease, and treating inflammation and immune disorders.

Abstract: A highly selective melanocortin-4 receptor antagonist cyclic peptide of the formula where R1, R2, R3, R4a, R4b, R5, R6, R7, x, y and z are as defined in the specification, and a method of treating body weight disorders, including cachexia, sarcopenia and wasting syndrome or disease, and treating inflammation and immune disorders.

Abstract: Metallopeptides with a sequence of a biologically active alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (?-MSH), gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone (?-MSH), or bombesin sequence of length n residues, wherein a residue including a nitrogen atom and sulfur atom each available for complexation to a metal ion is inserted at any position from between the two and three position to the C-terminus side of the n position, or alternatively is substituted for the residue at any position from the three position to the n position, with a metal ion complexed thereto, with any proline (Pro) residue which is either of the two residues on the immediately adjacent N-terminus side of the inserted or substituent residue comprising a nitrogen atom and sulfur atom available for complexation to a metal ion is substituted with a homolog.

Abstract: Melanocortin receptor-specific compounds of the general formulas and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where J is a substituted or unsubstituted monocyclic or bicyclic ring structure, L is a linker, W is a heteroatom unit with at least one cationic center, hydrogen bond donor or hydrogen bond acceptor, Q includes a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic carbocyclic ring, R6, R7, y and z are as defined in the specification, and the carbon atom marked with an asterisk can have any stereochemical configuration, and optionally with one or two additional ring substituents as defined, which compounds bind to one or more melanocortin receptors and are optionally an agonist, a partial agonist, an antagonist, an inverse agonist or an antagonist of an inverse agonist, and may be employed for treatment of one or more melanocortin receptor-associated conditions or disorders, and methods for the use of the compounds of the invention.