The invention relates to the compound of general formula (I) as novel inhibitors of transglutaminases, to methods for producing the inventive compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions containing said inventive compounds and to their use for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases associated with transglutaminases.

Disclosed are methods and compositions for treating traumatic brain injury (TBI). A brain injury-specific 4-amino acid peptide (sequence CAQK), identified by in vivo phage display screening in mice with acute brain injury, shows selective binding to mouse and human brain injury lesions, and when systemically injected, specifically homes to sites of injury in penetrating and non-penetrating (controlled cortical impact) brain injury models. Significantly, the peptide alone produces therapeutic effect and so can be used in the absence of any other therapeutic compound.

Peptides, peptidomimetics and small molecules, collectively referred to as “decoy peptides”, are provided, which interfere with binding to a TIR domain of a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and inhibit a TLR4-induced signaling pathway. These decoy peptides may be useful for treating diseases associated with induction of TLR4 signaling pathway such as a disease or disorder secondary to a cardiovascular disease, sepsis or an inflammatory disease.

An object of the present invention is to provide methods of discovering drugs effective for tough targets, which have conventionally been discovered only with difficulty. The present invention relates to novel methods for cyclizing peptide compounds, and novel peptide compounds and libraries comprising the same, to achieve the above object.

Beef protein was hydrolyzed with each of six commercial enzymes (alcalase, chymotrypsin, trypsin, pepsin, flavourzyme, and thermoase). Electronic tongue measurements showed that the hydrolysates had significantly (p<0.05) lower bitter scores than quinine. Addition of the hydrolysates to quinine led to reduced bitterness intensity of quinine with trypsin and pepsin hydrolysates being the most effective. Addition of the hydrolysates to HEK293T cells that heterologously express one of the bitter taste receptors (T2R4) showed alcalase, thermoase, pepsin and trypsin hydrolysates as the most effective in reducing calcium mobilization. Eight peptides that were identified from the alcalase and chymotrypsin hydrolysates also suppressed bitter agonist-dependent calcium release from T2R4 and T2R14 with AGDDAPRAVF and ETSARHL being the most effective.

Compounds having activity for lowering parathyroid hormone levels are described. In one embodiment, the compounds are comprised of a contiguous sequence of subunits, X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7, wherein the X.sub.1 subunit comprises a thiol-containing moiety and the distribution of charge on the X.sub.2-X.sub.7 subunits provides the desired activity. Methods of using the compounds for treating hyperparathyroidism, bone disease and/or hypercalcemic disorders are also described, and in particular, methods for lowering plasma PTH and serum calcium are provided. The compounds can be used to treat subjects having, for example: primary, secondary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism; hypercalcemia of malignancy; metastatic bone disease; or osteoporosis.

Compositions are disclosed which include a CAQK peptide linked or conjugated to a cargo composition, where the peptide selectively homes the composition to a site of nervous system injury in a subject.

This invention provides novel compounds and methods for promoting cell survival and/or plasticity, especially in neuronal cells, by targeting the microtubule End Binding (EB) proteins and other associated proteins (e.g., drebrin). Methods for identifying potential modulators of cell death/plasticity are also described.

The present invention relates to compounds having the formula [Co-enzyme A or analogue thereof]-Z1-Z2-Z3-Z4, wherein Z1 is a linker, Z2 and Z3 are peptides or peptide-based moieties, and Z4 is a C-terminal group. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of the invention, and their uses for the treatment of cancer, wound healing and nerve regeneration, inter alia.

The invention relates to medicine, and more particularly to neurology, and can be used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and depression. A peptide is proposed having the general formula acetyl-X-ARG-ARG-amide, where X=-(D-ARG)-ARG-; -(D-LYS)-LYS- or -(D-MET)-MET-. On the basis of the combination of pharmacological properties identified, a preparation could have potential for future clinical use as a nootropic, neuroprotective and antidepressant agent.