Abstract: A Corticotropin Releasing Factor-binding protein (CRF-BP) is isolated and purified sufficient to provide AA sequence data from which the DNA is obtained, which is then used to produce the protein recombinantly. The CRF-BP is useful for modulating the biological activity of CRF, such as reducing the high ACTH levels in mammals caused by excess CRF. The CRF-BP or fragments thereof and/or antibodies to the proteins may be employed in diagnostic assays to determine the levels of CRF, CRF-BP and the ratio of CRF/CRF-BP in a vascular fluid sample. The DNA or subsequence thereof can be used as probes for genetic material in certain assays. The anti-CRF-BP antibodies are also useful to purify the CRF-BP protein and to modulate the biological effect of CRF-BPs proteins.

Abstract: Mammalian melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is isolated from rat tissue, purified and characterized. These MCH peptides are useful for treating skin disorders, for suppressing the proliferation of skin tumor cells, such as melanomas in mammals, and for modulating the secretion of ACTH. Generally, peptides are provided which have the following formula: ##STR1## or which are naturally occurring homologs of the peptide with said formula. The peptides which are the naturally occurring MCH homologs of mammalian species other than rat can also be obtained using the materials disclosed, as demonstrated specifically with human MCH, which is found to have the same structure as rat MCH. Also disclosed are the amino acid sequences of, and the nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs which encode, the putative precursors of rat MCH and human MCH. These precursors may also include one or more biologically active peptides N-terminally of the mature MCH's.

Abstract: Analogs of CRF, which are based upon hCRF, oCRF and alpha-helical CRF, are disclosed that can be administered to achieve a substantial elevation of ACTH, .beta.-endorphin, .beta.-lipotropin, other products of the pro-opiomelanocortin gene and corticosterone levels. Analogs include those having the formula (see SEQ ID NO:9): Y-Ser-Xaa.sub.2 -Glu-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-Xaa.sub.12 -His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Xaa.sub.20 -Xaa.sub.21 -Xaa.sub.22 -Xaa.sub.23 -Xaa.sub.24 -Xaa.sub.25 -Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-Xaa.sub.32 -Ser-Asn-Arg-Xaa.sub.36 -Leu-Xaa.sub.38 -Xaa.sub.39 -Ile-Xaa.sub.41 -NH.sub.2, wherein Y is an acyl group having 7 or fewer carbon atoms or hydrogen; Xaa.sub.2 is Glu or Gln; Xaa.sub.12 is Phe or D-Phe; Xaa.sub.20 is Ala or Glu; Xaa.sub.21 is Met or Nle; Xaa.sub.22 is Ala or Thr; Xaa.sub.23 is Arg or Lys; Xaa.sub.24 is D-Ala or Ala; Xaa.sub.25 is Glu or Asp; Xaa.sub.32 is D-His or His; Xaa.sub.36 is Lys or Arg; Xaa.sub.38 is Met, Nle or Leu; Xaa.sub.39 is Ala, Glu or Asp; Xaa.sub.

Abstract: Peptides which include unnatural amino acids and which either inhibit or promote the secretion of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland and inhibit the release of steroids by the gonads. Administration of an effective amount of such peptides that are GnRH antagonists prevents ovulation of female mammalian eggs and/or the release of steroids by the gonads. The antagonists may be used to treat steroid-dependent tumors, such as prostatic and mammary tumors. The peptides are analogs of the decapeptide GnRH wherein there is at least one residue of an unnatural amino acid in the 3-, 5-, 6- and/or 8-positions. Such unnatural amino acids are useful in the synthesis of peptides and have the formula U.sup.* : ##STR1## where W is (CH.sub.2).sub.n or ##STR2## n is an integer from 1 to 6; and j=1, 2 or 3. Preferably, either Y is N--CN, X is NH and R.sub.2 is alkyl, modified alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl or methyl pridyl or ##STR3## where R.sub.11 is H or acyl.

Abstract: Analogs of CRF, which are based upon hCRF, oCRF, sauvagine and alpha-helical CRF, are disclosed that can be administered to achieve a substantial elevation of ACTH, .beta.-endorphin, .beta.-lipotropin, other products of the pro-opiomelanocortin gene and corticosterone levels and/or an increase in blood pressure over an extended period of time. One CRF agonist which has been found to be particularly potent is: H-Ser-Gln-Glu-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Va l-Leu-Glu-Met-Thr-Lys-Ala-Asp-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-His-Ser-Asn-Arg-Lys-L eu-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ala-NH.sub.2. In these agonist analogs, one or more of the first six N-terminal residues may be deleted and/or the N-terminal alpha-amino group may be acylated by an acylating agent containing up to 7 carbon atoms. A number of other substitutions may also be made throughout the chain.

Abstract: The invention provides synthetic peptides which are extremely potent in stimulating the release of pituitary GH in animals, including humans and also resist enzymatic degradation in the body. Certain preferred peptides have the formula:(B)R.sub.1 -Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-R.sub.8 -Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-R.sub.15 -R.sub.16 - Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-R.sub.24 -R.sub.25 -Ile-Nle-R.sub.28 -Arg-Y wherein R.sub.1 is Tyr, D-Tyr, Phe, D-Phe, His or D-His; B is H or N.sup..alpha. Me; R.sub.8 is Ala, Aib or Asn; R.sub.15 is Gly or Ala; R.sub.16 is Ala, Aib or Gln; R.sub.24 is Ala, Aib or Gln; R.sub.25 is Ala, Aib or Asp; R.sub.28 is Ser or Asn; Y is NHR with R being H or lower alkyl; provided that at least one of R.sub.8, R.sub.16, R.sub.24 and R.sub.25 is Ala or Aib.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved CRF peptide antagonists such as those having the formula: Y-D-Phe-R.sub.13 -Leu-Leu-Arg-R.sub.17 -R.sub.18 -Leu-R.sub.20 -Nle-R.sub.22 -R.sub.23 -R.sub.24 -R.sub.25 -R.sub.26 -Leu-R.sub.28 -R.sub.29 -Gln-R.sub.31 -R.sub.32 -R.sub.33 -R.sub.34 -Arg-R.sub.36 -R.sub.37 -Nle-R.sub.39 -R.sub.40 -R.sub.41 -NH.sub.2 wherein Y is Ac or hydrogen; R.sub.13 is His, Tyr or Glu; R.sub.17 is Cys, Glu, Asn or Lys; R.sub.18 is Val, Nle or Met; R.sub.20 is D-Cys, Glu, D-Glu, Aib or D-Ala; R.sub.22 is Ala, Aib, Thr, Asp or Glu; R.sub.23 is Arg, Orn, Har or Lys; R.sub.24 is Ala or Aib; R.sub.25 is Asp or Glu; R.sub.26 is Gln, Asn or Lys; R.sub.28 is Ala or Aib; R.sub.29 is Gln, Aib or Glu, R.sub.31 is Ala or Aib; R.sub.32 is His, Aib, Gly, Tyr or Ala; R.sub.33 is Ser, Aib, Asn, Leu, Thr or Ala; R.sub.34 is Asn or Aib; R.sub.36 is Lys, Orn, Arg, Har or Leu; R.sub.37 is Leu or Try; R.sub.39 is Glu, Aib or Asp; R.sub.40 is Ile, Aib, Thr, Glu, Ala, Val, Leu, Nle, Phe, Nva, Gly or Gln; and R.sub.

Abstract: Analogs of CRF, which are based upon hCRF, oCRF and alpha-helical CRF, are disclosed that can be administered to achieve a substantial elevation of ACTH, .beta.-endorphin, .beta.-lipotropin, other products of the pro-opiomelanocortin gene and corticosterone levels. Analogs include those having the formula: Y-R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.3 -R.sub.4 -R.sub.5 -Ile-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-R.sub.20 -R.sub.21 -R.sub.22 -R.sub.23 -R.sub.24 -R.sub.25 -Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-R.sub.32 -Ser-Asn-Arg-Lys-Leu-R.sub.38 -R.sub.39 -Ile-R.sub.41 -NH.sub.2, wherein Y is an acyl group having 7 or fewer carbon atoms or hydrogen; R.sub.1 is Ser or desR.sub.1 ; R.sub.2 is Glu, Gln or desR.sub.2 ; R.sub.3 is Glu or desR.sub.3 ; R.sub.4 is Pro or desR.sub.4 ; R.sub.5 is Pro or desR.sub.5 ; R.sub.20 is Ala or Glu; R.sub.21 is Met or Nle; R.sub.22 is Ala or Thr; R.sub.23 is Arg or Lys; R.sub.24 is D-Ala or Ala; R.sub.25 is Glu or Asp; R.sub.32 is D-His or His; R.sub.38 is Met, Nle or Leu; R.sub.

Abstract: Peptides which include unnatural amino acides and which either inhibit or promote the secretion of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland and inhibit the release of steroids by the gonads. Administration of an effective amount of such peptides that are GnRH antagonists prevents ovulation of female mammalian eggs and/or the release of steroids by the gonads. The antagonists may be used to treat steroid-dependent tumors, such as prostatic and mammary tumors. The peptides are analogs of the decapeptide GnRH wherein there is at least one residue of an unnatural amino acid in the 3-position, the 5-position, the 6-position and/or the 8-position. Such unnatural amino acids are useful in the synthesis of peptides and have the formula U*: ##STR1## where n is an integer from 1 to 6; Y is N--CN, N--CONHR.sub.9, S, O or CH--NO.sub.2 ; R.sub.9 is H, Ac, lower alkyl, aromatic or heterocyclic; X is NH, O, S, M.sub.1 (CH.sub.q).sub.p M.sub.2 or M.sub.1 --(CH.sub.2).sub.p' --M.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.p" --M.sub.3, where M.sub.

Abstract: Agonists and antagonists of rCRF are disclosed that exhibit good binding affinity to CRF receptors. One exemplary agonist is: H-Ser-Gln-Glu-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser- Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Met-Leu-Glu-Met- Ala-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Glu-Ala-Glu-Gln-Ala-Ala-Leu-Asn-Arg- Leu-Leu-Leu-Glu-Glu-Ala-NH.sub.2. In the agonists, one or more of the first five N-terminal residues may be deleted or may be substituted by a peptide up to 10 amino acids long. A number of other substitutions may also be made throughout the chain. Similar peptides which function as CRF antagonists are created by deleting the first 7, 8 or 9 N-terminal residues. These analogs are coupled to a cytotoxin, such as gelonin, by a dialdehyde or the like, e.g., glutaraldehyde. The conjugates may be used to eliminate CRF Target Cells, and thus to regulate secretion of ACTH, .beta.-lipotropin and the like.

Abstract: Analogs of CRF are disclosed that can be administered to achieve a substantial elevation of ACTH, .beta.-endorphin, .beta.-lipotropin, other products of the pro-opiomelanocortin gene and corticosterone levels and/or a lowering of blood pressure over an extended period of time. One analog which has been found to be particularly preferred is: [His.sup.20, Nle.sup.21, Leu.sup.38 ]-rCRF. In the analogs, one or more of the first five N-terminals residues may be deleted or may be substituted by a peptide up to 10 amino acids long and/or by an acylating agent containing up to 7 carbon atoms. A number of other substitutions may also be made throughout the chain. These analogs or pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable salts thereof, dispersed in a pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable liquid or solid carrier, can be administered to mammels, including humans. These analogs may also be used as stimulants to elevate mood and improve memory and learning.

Abstract: Several known members of the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) family have been synthesized and tested, including human and rat CRF which have the formula: H-Ser-Glu-Glu-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His- Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Glu-Met-Ala-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln- Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-His-Ser-Asn-Arg-Lys-Leu-Met-Glu- Ile-Ile-NH.sub.2. Peptides are herein disclosed that are potent competitive antagonists of CRF in mammals. One which has been found to be particularly potent is: H-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Glu-Nle-Ala- Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-His-Ser-Asn- Arg-Lys-Leu-Nle-Glu-Ile-Ile-NH.sub.2. One that has shown particularly prolonged duration of potency is: H-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Glu-Nle-Ala- Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-His-Ser-Asn- Arg-Lys-CML-Nle-Glu-Ile-Ile-NH.sub.2.

Abstract: The invention provides synthetic peptides which are extremely potent in stimulating the release of pituitary GH in animals, including humans and also resist enzymatic degradation in the body. The peptides have the sequence: (B)R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.3 -Ala-(Q.sub.1)R.sub.5 -Phe-Thr-R.sub.8 -Ser(Q.sub.2)R.sub.10 -Arg-R.sub.12 -(Q.sub.3)R.sub.13 -Leu-R.sub.15 -Gln-(Q.sub.4)Leu-R.sub.18 -(Q.sub.5)Ala-Arg-R.sub.21 -(Q.sub.6)R.sub.22 -(Q.sub.7)Leu-R.sub.24 -R.sub.25 -(Q.sub.8)R.sub.26 -(Q.sub.9)R.sub.27 -R.sub.28 -Arg-Gln-Gln-Gly-Glu-R.sub.34 -Asn-Gln-Glu-R.sub.38 -R.sub.39 -R.sub.40 -Arg-R.sub.42 -R.sub.43 -R.sub.44 wherein R.sub.1 is Tyr, D-Tyr, Met, Phe, D-Phe, pCl-Phe, Leu, His or D-His; B is H, C.sup.a Me, N.sup.a Me, desamino, Ac or For; R.sub.2 is Ala, D-Ala, NMA or D-NMA; R.sub.3 is Asp or D-Asp; R.sub.5 is Ile or Leu; R.sub.8 is Ser, Asn, Lys, Arg, Asp or Glu; R.sub.10 is Tyr, D-Tyr or Phe; R.sub.12 is Arg or Lys; R.sub.13 is Ile, Val, Leu or Ala; R.sub.15 is Gly or Ala; R.sub.18 is Ser or Tyr; R.sub.

Abstract: Peptides which inhibit the secretion of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland and inhibit the release of steroids by the gonads. Administration of an effective amount of such GnRH antagonists prevents ovulation of female mammalian eggs and/or the release of steroids by the gonads. These peptides may be used to treat steroid-dependent tumors, such as prostatic and mammary tumors. The peptides include cyclic, bicyclic and tricyclic analogs of the decapeptide GnRH, and preferably there are at least two covalent bonds between the residues in the 4- and 10-positions, the residues in the 5- and 8-positions and the residues in the 1- and 3-positions, respectively. Examples of such bonds include a disulfide linkage between Cys residues, an amide linkage between a side chain amino group and a side chain carboyxl group, a dicarba linkage between side-chain alkyl groups, and a carba linkage between a side-chain alkyl group and a side-chain sulfhydryl group.

Abstract: Mammalian melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is isolated from rat tissue, purified and characterized. These MCH peptides are useful for treating skin disorders, for suppressing the proliferation of skin tumor cells, such as melanomas in mammals, and for modulating the secretion of ACTH. Generally, peptides are provided which have the following formula: ##STR1## or which are naturally occurring homologs of the peptide with said formula. The peptides which are the naturally occurring MCH homologs of mammalian species other than rat can also be obtained using the materials disclosed, as demonstrated specifically with human MCH, which is found to have the same structure as rat MCH. Also disclosed are the amino acid sequences of, and the nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs which encode, the putative precursors of rat MCH and human MCH. These precursors may also include one or more biologically active peptides N-terminally of the mature MCH's.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides which stimulate the release of pituitary GH in animals, including humans, and are more resistant to enzymatic degradation in the body than hGRF having the sequence: (B)R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 R.sub.3 -Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-R.sub.8 -Ser-R.sub.10 -Arg-R.sub.12 R.sub.13 -Leu-R.sub.15 -Gln-Leu-R.sub.18 -Ala-Arg-R.sub.21 -R.sub.22 -Leu-R.sub.24 -R.sub.25 -Ile-R.sub.27 -R.sub.28 -R.sub.29 -Gln-Gln-Gly-Glu-R.sub.34 -Asn-Gln-Glu-R.sub.38 R.sub.39 -R.sub.40 -Arg-R.sub.42 -R.sub.43 -R.sub.44 wherein R.sub.1 is Tyr, D-Tyr, Met, D-Met, Phe, D-Phe, pCl-Phe, Leu, His or D-His; B is H, C.sup.a Me, N.sup.1 Me, desamino, Ac or For; R.sub.2 is Ala, D-Ala, NMA or D-NMA; R.sub.3 is Asp or D-Asp; R.sub.8 is Ser, Asn, Lys, Arg, Asp or Gln; R.sub.10 is Tyr, D-Tyr or Phe; R.sub.12 is Arg or Lys; R.sub.13 is Ile, Val, Leu or Ala; R.sub.15 is Gly, Ala or .beta.-Ala; R.sub.18 is Ser or Tyr; R.sub.21 is Lys, D-Lys, Arg or D-Arg; R.sub.22 is Leu, Ile, Ala or Val; R.sub.24 is Gln or His; R.sub.

Abstract: A method for modulating the rate of erythropoiesis in human hematopoietic progenitor cells. FRP is found to be an efficacious potentiator of, and inhibin a suppressor of, erythropoietin-induced differentiation. FRP and inhibin are shown to be functional antagonists of each other, and thus represent an effective means for modulating erythropoiesis in a number of disease states which are directly caused by or associated with an abnormal rate of erythropoiesis.

Abstract: A dimeric protein with inhibin activity is isolated from ram reta testis fluid using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and gel filtration. The isolated molecule is composed of two chains having apparent molecular weights of about 18,000 and about 16,500 to 14,500 Daltons, as measured by gel electrophoresis, which are bound together by disulfide bonding and the longer of which is likely glycosylated. Microsequencing revealed the NH.sub.2 -terminal portion of the longer chain to be Ser- Thr-Pro-Pro-Leu-Pro-Trp-Pro-Trp-Ser-Pro-Ala-Ala-Leu-Arg-Leu-Gln-Arg-Pro-Pr o- Glu-Glu-Pro-Ala-Ala-His-Ala-Asp-Cys and of the shorther chain to by Gly-Leu-Glu-Cys-Asp-Gly-Lys-Val-Asn-Ile-Cys-Cys-Lys-Lys-Gln-Phe. This dimeric protein specifically inhibits basal secretion of FSH, but not of LH, in a rat anterior pituitary monolayer culture system, exhibiting a half-maximal effective dose of about 0.1 to 0.3 ng/ml.

Abstract: The invention provides synthetic peptides which are extremely potent in stimulating the release of pituitary GH in animals, including humans, which have resistance to enzymatic degradation in the body, and which have the sequence: (B)R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.3 -Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-R.sub.8 -Ser-(Q.sub.1)R.sub.10 - Arg-R.sub.12. (Q.sub.2)R.sub.13 -Leu-R.sub.15 -Gln-Leu-Ser-(Q.sub.3)Ala-Arg. R.sub.21 -(Q.sub.4)R.sub.22 -Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-R.sub.27 -R.sub.28 -Arg-Gln-Gln-Gly-Glu-Ser-Asn-Gln-Glu-Arg-Gly-Ala-Arg-R.sub.42 -R.sub.43 -R.sub.44 wherein R.sub.1 is Tyr, D-Tyr, Met, Phe, D-Phe, pCl-Phe, Leu, His or D-His; B is H, C.sup.a Me, N.sup.a Me, desamino, Ac or For; R.sub.2 is Ala, D-Ala, NMA or D-NMA; R.sub.3 is Asp or D-Asp; R.sub.8 is Ser, Asn, Lys, Arg, Asp or Gln; R.sub.10 is Tyr, D-Tyr or Phe; R.sub.12 is Arg or Lys; R.sub.13 is Ile, Val, Leu or Ala; R.sub.15 is Gly or Ala; R.sub.21 is Lys, D-Lys or D-Arg; R.sub.22 is Leu, Ile, Ala or Val; R.sub.27 is Met, D-Met, Ala, Nle, Ile, Leu, Nva or Val; R.sub.

Abstract: A 28,000-dalton protein with FSH-releasing activity is isolated from porcine follicular fluid in a multi-step procedure including gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography and several reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography steps. The 28 kD protein promotes secretion of FSH, but not of LH, in a rat anterior pituitary monolayer culture system, exhibiting an EC.sub.50 of 0.5 ng/ml. These peptides are dimers of inhibin .beta.-chains of mammals, and homodimers or heterodimers of the .beta..sub.A and .beta..sub.B chains are biologically active to regulate fertility of various mammalian species, including humans.