Abstract:
Methods and compositions related to the engineering of a protein with L-cyst(e)ine degrading enzyme activity are described. For example, disclosed are modified cystathionine- ϒ- lyases comprising one or more amino acid substitutions and capable of degrading L- cyst(e)ine. Furthermore, compositions and methods are provided for the treatment of cancer and cystinuria using the disclosed modified enzymes or nucleic acids encoding said enzymes.
Abstract:
Described herein are nucleic acid-peptide capsule complexes or nanoparticles comprising pre-formed peptide capsules and nucleic acids bound the exterior surface of the capsule, such that the wrap around the capsule membrane. The peptide capsules comprise bilayer membrane defining a liquid-receiving interior space and comprises a plurality of branched, amphipathic peptides. Method of making and using such complexes for delivering nucleic acids in vivo and in vitro are also described.
Abstract:
In some aspects, the disclosure provides compositions and methods for detecting and monitoring the activity of proteases in vivo using affinity assays. The disclosure relates, in part, to the discovery that biomarker nanoparticles targeted to the lymph nodes of a subject are useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of certain medical conditions ( e.g. , metastatic cancer, infection with certain pathogenic agents).
Abstract:
Provided are non-naturally occurring cystine knot peptides (CKPs) that bind to VEGF-A. Additionally, provided are methods of using non-naturally occurring CKPs that bind to VEGF-A, including diagnostic and therapeutic compositions and methods. Non-naturally CKPs that bind low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) are also provided.
Abstract:
The present description provides compositions and methods for producing therapeutic oligomeric compounds. In another aspect the description provides methods for administering the oligomeric compounds for the treatment and prevention of disease in a mammal. In particular, the disclosure relates to medicaments comprising various novel oligomeric compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds of the disclosure may optionally be administered with at least one of a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, additional pharmacologically active agent or a combination thereof.
Abstract:
Provided herein are anti-infective peptides and uses thereof, in one embodiment, provided herein is a peptide that is 16 to 26 amino acid residues in length and comprises the following amino acid sequence: X 1 X 2 SWLRDX 3 X 4 TX 5 LQSX 6 L, wherein X 1 is S or G or A; X 2 is S or G, X 3 is V or I, X 4 is W or L, X 5 is W, K, A or L and X 6 is W, K, L or A. The anti-infective peptides may comprise D amino acids, L amino acids or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the anti-infective peptides are peglyated, modified to include a hydrophilic polymer, stapled or iipidated. Also provided herein are compositions comprising the anti-infective peptides, and methods of treatment and disinfecting using the anti-infective peptides. The anti-infective peptides provided herein are useful against a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses.
Abstract:
The present description relates to synthetic peptides useful for increasing the transduction efficiency of polypeptide cargos to the cytosol of target eukaryotic cells. More specifically, the present description relates to synthetic peptides and polypeptide-based shuttle agents comprising an endosome leakage domain (ELD) operably linked to a cell penetrating domain (CPD), or an ELD operably linked to a histidine-rich domain and a CPD. Compositions, kits, methods and uses relating to same are also described.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to dual incretin peptide mimetic compounds that agonize receptors for both human glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and may be useful for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).
Abstract:
Disclosed are hypersensitive-response eliciting peptides that exhibit improved solubility, stability, resistance to chemical degradation, or a combination of these properties. Use of these peptides or fusion polypeptides, or DNA constructs encoding the same, for modulating plant biochemical signaling, imparting disease resistance to plants, enhancing plant growth, imparting tolerance to biotic stress, imparting tolerance and resistance to abiotic stress, imparting desiccation resistance to cuttings removed from ornamental plants, imparting post- harvest disease or post-harvest desiccation resistance to a fruit or vegetable, or enhancing the longevity of fruit or vegetable ripeness are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Methods are provided for identifying an agent that directly modulates a Bcl-2- associated x-protein (BAX) by promoting or disrupting dimerization of the BAX. Agents that directly modulate BAX by affecting dimerization are also provided.