The invention described herein is based in part on the discovery of a protein/peptide crosslink, which introduces fluorescent properties, and which has been applied to synthesize analogues of melanocortin and amanitin as choice peptides to be explored in the context of isoindole peptides. Without limitation, it is expected that those trained in the art of peptide synthesis and stapling would appreciate the consequences of this invention such that other peptides of varied length can be similarly constrained by isoindole staples as featured herein.

The invention described herein is based in part on the discovery of a protein/peptide crosslink, which introduces fluorescent properties, and which has been applied to synthesize analogues of melanocortin and amanitin as choice peptides to be explored in the context of isoindole peptides. Without limitation, it is expected that those trained in the art of peptide synthesis and stapling would appreciate the consequences of this invention such that other peptides of varied length can be similarly constrained by isoindole staples as featured herein.

Ligand-drug conjugates for targeted melanoma therapies are disclosed herein. A ligand is conjugated to a cytotoxic cancer drug through a cleavage linker. The ligand can bind to an overexpressed receptor on a cancer cell, resulting in selectivity. This allows the drug to enter a cancer cell selectively and release the drug within that specific cancer cell. Such therapies provide selectivity to melanoma through a ligand that targets the MC1R receptor, which is highly expressed in 80% of malignant melanomas. The ligand-drug conjugates can be used to deliver a wide range of cytotoxic cancer drugs selective to melanoma cells which may solve the drug resistance problem of melanoma in current therapies.

The present disclosure relates to, among other things, compounds and methods for treating neuropathic pain, ocular pain, ocular inflammation, and/or dry eye and methods of detecting mutations in specific G-protein coupled receptors, such as missense mutations, and determining the extent to which these mutations alter the pharmacological response of the G-protein coupled receptor.

The present disclosure relates to, among other things, compounds and methods for treating neuropathic pain, ocular pain, ocular inflammation, and/or dry eye and methods of detecting mutations in specific G-protein coupled receptors, such as missense mutations, and determining the extent to which these mutations alter the pharmacological response of the G-protein coupled receptor.

The subject invention pertains to a modified MC1R peptide ligand comprising a peptide that is a melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) ligand and a functionality or linker, such as a click functionality, for conjugation to a surface or agent. The modified MC1R peptide ligand can be coupled, e.g., via a click reaction with a complementary click functionality attached, to a moiety to form an MC1R-targeted agent. Drugs, contrast agents, polymers, particles, micelles, surfaces of larger structures, or other moieties can be targeted to the MC1R. The subject invention also pertains to a MC1R peptide ligand-micelle complex comprising a peptide that is a melanocortin 1 receptor ligand connected via a click reaction product to a micelle. The micelle is stable in vivo and can target melanoma tumor cells by association of the peptide ligand with the MC1R or the tumor and selectively provide a detectable and/or therapeutic agent (such as an imageable contrast agent and/or anti-cancer agent) selectively to the tumor cell.

The subject invention pertains to a modified MC1R peptide ligand comprising a peptide that is a melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) ligand and a functionality or linker, such as a click functionality, for conjugation to a surface or agent. The modified MC1R peptide ligand can be coupled, e.g., via a click reaction with a complementary click functionality attached, to a moiety to form an MC1R-targeted agent. Drugs, contrast agents, polymers, particles, micelles, surfaces of larger structures, or other moieties can be targeted to the MC1R. The subject invention also pertains to a MC1R peptide ligand-micelle complex comprising a peptide that is a melanocortin 1 receptor ligand connected via a click reaction product to a micelle. The micelle is stable in vivo and can target melanoma tumor cells by association of the peptide ligand with the MC1R or the tumor and selectively provide a detectable and/or therapeutic agent (such as an imageable contrast agent and/or anti-cancer agent) selectively to the tumor cell.

A recombinant protein comprising multiple multi-peptide sets includes first through fifth sequencing primers and first through fourth multi-peptide regions. The first multi-peptide region is between the first and the second sequencing primers. The second multi-peptide region is between the second and the third sequencing primers. The third multi-peptide region is between the third and the fourth sequencing primers. The fourth multi-peptide region is between the fourth and the fifth sequencing primers. In each of the multi-peptide regions, multiple functional peptides can be inserted, and manufacturing thereof can be done through expression of the recombinant protein, thereby significantly enhancing the concentrations of the functional peptides. With the combination of peptide having different functions, the recombinant protein product can provide more complete and more comprehensive functionality. This application also discloses a pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant protein and a method for preparing the recombinant protein.

A recombinant protein comprising multiple multi-peptide sets includes first through fifth sequencing primers and first through fourth multi-peptide regions. The first multi-peptide region is between the first and the second sequencing primers. The second multi-peptide region is between the second and the third sequencing primers. The third multi-peptide region is between the third and the fourth sequencing primers. The fourth multi-peptide region is between the fourth and the fifth sequencing primers. In each of the multi-peptide regions, multiple functional peptides can be inserted, and manufacturing thereof can be done through expression of the recombinant protein, thereby significantly enhancing the concentrations of the functional peptides. With the combination of peptide having different functions, the recombinant protein product can provide more complete and more comprehensive functionality. This application also discloses a pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant protein and a method for preparing the recombinant protein.

A recombinant protein comprising multiple multi-peptide sets includes first through fifth sequencing primers and first through fourth multi-peptide regions. The first multi-peptide region is between the first and the second sequencing primers. The second multi-peptide region is between the second and the third sequencing primers. The third multi-peptide region is between the third and the fourth sequencing primers. The fourth multi-peptide region is between the fourth and the fifth sequencing primers. In each of the multi-peptide regions, multiple functional peptides can be inserted, and manufacturing thereof can be done through expression of the recombinant protein, thereby significantly enhancing the concentrations of the functional peptides. With the combination of peptide having different functions, the recombinant protein product can provide more complete and more comprehensive functionality. This application also discloses a pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant protein and a method for preparing the recombinant protein.