Endomorphin-2 and tetrapeptide derivatives thereof are described. Pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions containing endomorphin-2 or a tetrapeptide derivative thereof are therapeutically effective to treat, improve or prevent pain in human subjects, such as pain associated with a disorder, disease, condition, symptom, or syndrome of the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, vascular system, immune system, tumors or cancers, including, but not limited to, pain associated with arthritis, headache, muscles or joints upon topical or systemic administration.

Endomorphin-2 and tetrapeptide derivatives thereof are described. Pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions containing endomorphin-2 or a tetrapeptide derivative thereof are therapeutically effective to treat, improve or prevent pain in human subjects, such as pain associated with a disorder, disease, condition, symptom, or syndrome of the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, vascular system, immune system, tumors or cancers, including, but not limited to, pain associated with arthritis, headache, muscles or joints upon topical or systemic administration.

Single chain, multimerized, and/or glycosylated NKG2D decoys are described. The NKG2D decoys have high affinity and avidity for surface bound and soluble NKG2D ligands and can be used to (i) identify NKG2D ligands; (ii) treat cancer, graft vs. host disease (GVHD), and inflammatory conditions; and (iii) potentiate an immune response against a vaccine as well as many other potential uses.

Provided is an agent for preventing and/or treating osteogenesis imperfecta, osteoporosis and/or osteoarthritis, the agent comprising a peptide consisting of one of the following amino acid sequences: (a) Val-Asn-Pro-Glu-Ser-Glu-Glu-Glu (SEQ ID NO: 1) and (b) Val-Asn-Pro-Glu (SEQ ID NO: 2). The agent of the present invention can be orally ingested, has osteogenic function, and has a preventive and/or healing-promoting effect on bone fractures and is therefore very useful for prevention and/or treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta, osteoporosis and/or osteoarthritis.

The present disclosure provides assays for lysosomal enzymes, specifically palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1) and tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1), using, for example, tandem mass spectrometry. The assays involve the detection of enzymatic products obtained through the action of the lysosomal enzymes on new enzyme substrates, and can be used for quantitative enzyme activity measurements. The assays for the enzymes utilize a minimum steps for sample work up and can be run in a simplex format or in a duplex format for the detection of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses, or in a multiplex format with other mass spectrometry-based assays for screening of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses and other lysosomal storage disorders.

The present disclosure provides assays for lysosomal enzymes, specifically palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1) and tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1), using, for example, tandem mass spectrometry. The assays involve the detection of enzymatic products obtained through the action of the lysosomal enzymes on new enzyme substrates, and can be used for quantitative enzyme activity measurements. The assays for the enzymes utilize a minimum steps for sample work up and can be run in a simplex format or in a duplex format for the detection of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses, or in a multiplex format with other mass spectrometry-based assays for screening of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses and other lysosomal storage disorders.

The present invention provides an anti-angiogenic peptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to amino acid residues 123-140 of SEQ ID NO 1 or amino acid residues 24-141 of SEQ ID NO 2. The invention also provides nucleic acid constructs encoding such peptides, and vectors and cells comprising such nucleic acid constructs. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides or nucleic acid constructs of the invention, and the use of peptides, nucleic acid constructs or pharmaceutical compositions of the invention to treat diseases associated with angiogenesis.10

Supramolecular structures comprising noncovalently associated peptide amphiphiles and lipids are provided. In particular, provided herein are supramolecular nanostructures of peptide amphiphiles and lipids, co-assembly of which is driven by anion- interactions, and methods of preparation and use (e.g., as an antimicrobial agent) thereof.

Disclosed are peptides that induce an active plant response, but not a hypersensitive response, when applied to plant tissue. These peptides also preferably 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.

The present invention relates to the use of prodrugs susceptible to nitroreductase (NTR) activation. In particular, provided herein are mitochondria-targeting prodrug compounds and probes, including profluorescent near-infrared (NIR) probes and non-fluorescent prodrugs, as well as to methods of using said prodrug compounds and probes for imaging mitochondria and for mitochondria-specific delivery of therapeutic agents.