Abstract: Novel analogues of the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus toxin ShK, and their use as, for example, therapeutic agents for treating autoimmune diseases are disclosed. The analogues comprise a ShK toxin polypeptide and an N-terminal extension comprising an amino acid sequence according to formula (I): wherein X?4 is D, E or other negatively-charged amino acid or derivative thereof, X?3 is E, I, L, S, V, W or a tryptophan derivative, X?2 is any amino acid, X?1 is any amino acid, a is absent or a first additional moiety, and b is absent or a second additional moiety.

Abstract: Novel analogues of the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus toxin ShK, and their use as, for example, therapeutic agents for treating autoimmune diseases are disclosed. The analogues comprise a ShK toxin polypeptide and an N-terminal extension comprising an amino acid sequence according to formula (I): wherein X?4 is D, E or other negatively-charged amino acid or derivative thereof, X?3 is E, I, L, S, V, W or a tryptophan derivative, X?2 is any amino acid, X?1 is any amino acid, a is absent or a first additional moiety, and b is absent or a second additional moiety.

Abstract: A novel peptide analogue of the Heterometrus spinnifer toxin HsTX1 is disclosed along with its application as, for example, a therapeutic agent for treating an autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The analogue comprises a peptide with an amino acid substitution at amino acid position 14 of the wild-type (WT) peptide sequence (or a position corresponding to position 14 of the WT peptide sequence). The analogue exhibits selectivity for Kv1.3 over Kv1.1 and other potassium channels relative to the WT peptide.

Abstract: A novel peptide analogue of the Heterometrus spinnifer toxin HsTX1 is disclosed along with its application as, for example, a therapeutic agent for treating an autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The analogue comprises a peptide with an amino acid substitution at amino acid position 14 of the wild-type (WT) peptide sequence (or a position corresponding to position 14 of the WT peptide sequence). The analogue exhibits selectivity for Kv1.3 over Kv1.1 and other potassium channels relative to the WT peptide.

Abstract: Various divalent ligands based on khellinone derivatives are described. These derivatives can be useful in the modulation of potassium channel activity in cells, including among others Kv1.3 channels found in T-cells. The compounds may also be useful in the treatment or prevention of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions comprising DNA segments, and proteins derived from sea anemone species. More particularly, it concerns the novel ShK toxin, ShK toxin analogs, chemically-modified toxin analogs, and nucleic acid segments encoding the ShK toxin from Stichodactyla helianthus. Various methods for making and using these DNA segments, DNA segments encoding synthetically-modified ShK toxins, and native and synthetic ShK peptides are disclosed, such as, for example, the use of DNA segments as diagnostic probes and templates for protein production, and the use of proteins, fusion protein carriers and peptides in various immunological and diagnostic applications.