There is provided a range of novel disulfide bond containing compounds. These disulfide bond containing compounds can be used in a variety of applications such as solid phase peptide synthesis, solid phase organic synthesis, formation of dendrimers, formation of macromolecules and formation cyclic peptides; and as a component of a delivery vehicle with a bioactive molecule.

Disclosed is a new process and intermediates for preparing dipyrrolidine peptide compounds such as, for example, rapastinel. Advantageously, the process may be industrially scalable and cost-effective and use less toxic reagents and/or solvents. Further, the process may be used to prepare peptide compounds having improved purity.

With dedicated research, the present inventors discovered that not only the LGR7 gene but also the LGR7 protein are highly expressed in clear cell adenocarcinoma cells of ovarian cancer. Furthermore, the present inventors found that anti-LGR7 antibodies have antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) activity against LGR7-expressing cells. From the above findings, the present inventors discovered that the anti-LGR7 antibodies are useful for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of primary and metastatic ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma.

Disclosed are methods and compositions for selectively targeting sites of 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. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for delivering therapeutic compounds to such sites. CAQK-coated nanoparticles containing silencing oligonucleotides provide an alternative to local delivery of therapeutics, which is invasive and can add complications to the injury.

The present invention relates to peptides capable of forming a gel and to their use in tissue engineering and bioprinting. The present invention furthermore relates to a gel comprising a peptide in accordance with the present invention, to a method of preparing such gel and to the use of such gel. In one embodiment, such gel is a hydrogel. The present invention furthermore relates to a wound dressing or wound healing agent comprising a gel according to the present invention and to a surgical implant or stent comprising a peptide scaffold formed by a gel according to the present invention. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic composition, to a biomedical device or an electronic device comprising the peptide according to the present invention.

Process for detecting and identifying micropeptides (miPEPs) encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of a microRNA and use thereof for modulating gene expression.

Novel activators of the APC complex and methods and uses of these activators are provided. In particular, the activators are used for increasing resistance to stress and/or increasing lifespan in a plant or mammalian cell, in a plant or mammalian embryo or in a plant or subject. The activators are also used for treating cancer in a subject.

Provided is a peptide fragment derived from secreted frizzled protein 5 (Sfrp5), i.e., a peptide fragment selected from the group consisting of the peptides as set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 9 and a cosmetic composition for skin-whitening and/or inhibiting skin pigmentation comprising the same as an active ingredient. The peptide fragment inhibits melanin formation in melanocytes, thereby having an inhibitory activity against skin pigmentation. Further provided is a reagent for researching or analyzing the inhibition of Wnt signaling pathways comprising the peptide fragment.

Embodiments of the synthesis, radiolabeling and biological applications of an activatable tracer that undergoes intramolecular cyclization and aggregation upon activation by cleavage of a blocking moiety are provided. The probes of the disclosure allow for target-controlled self-assembly of small molecules in living subjects for imaging and drug delivery. The aggregated nanoprobes of the disclosure may be detectable optically, by PET detection, magnetic resonance imaging, and the like depending on the detectable reporter attached to the nanoprobe.

Process for detecting and identifying micropeptides (miPEPs) encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of a microRNA and use thereof for modulating gene expression.