The present invention relates to a GABA.sub.A receptor-binding peptide comprising an amino acid sequence X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5, wherein the amino acid residue X.sub.1 is histidine, arginine, threonine, L-cyclohexyl-alanine, 2-flouro-L-phenylalanine or 3-methyl-L-histidine; X.sub.2 is threonine, N-methyl-threonine, proline, leucine, isoleucine or phenylalanine; X.sub.3 is tryptophan, N-methyl-tryptophan, serine, threonine or proline; X.sub.4 is glutamine, proline, lysine, tyrosine, alanine, glycine or absent; and X.sub.5 is lysine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, threonine, alanine, glycine or absent. In particular, the GABA.sub.A receptor-binding peptides of the present invention have amino acid sequences selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 15. These peptides were tested and validated using electrophysiological recordings on the human GABA.sub.A receptor comprising of the following subunits .sub.1.sub.3.sub.2 and used in the preparation of a neuroactive pharmaceutical composition, in improving sperm motility or in labeling of biomolecules.

The present invention relates to a recombinant vector carrying cellulose-binding domain 3 and a method for separating a target protein using the recombinant vector. The protein isolating method of the present invention can easily separate a fusion protein containing a target protein by using the recombinant vector to bind a transformed plant body to cellulose and can effectively isolate the target protein from a cellulose-binding domain by treating the fusion protein with enterokinase, thus being expected to find industrial applications in various fields.

Disclosed herein are polypeptides and fusion polypeptides that have anti-angiogenic activity that can be used to inhibit tumor growth and tumor metastasis. The polypeptide consists of 9 or less consecutive amino acid residues (e.g., 8, 7, 6, 5, or 4) comprising the active core amino acid sequence DWLP, or an amino acid substitution variant thereof. Specific amino acid substitutions are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the peptide consists essentially of 4-6 mers identified as exhibiting the activity of prosaposin A. Also disclosed herein are therapeutic compositions comprising the polypeptides and fusion polypeptides, and their use in the treatment, prevention, and inhibition of angiogenesis-related diseases and disorders such as cancer and cancer metastasis.

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.

The invention provides a novel class of cyanine dyes that are functionalized with sulfonic acid groups and a linker moiety that facilitates their conjugation to other species and substituent groups which increase the water-solubility, and optimize the optical properties of the dyes. Also provided are conjugates of the dyes, methods of using the dyes and their conjugates and kits including the dyes and their conjugates.

Provided herein are methods of suppressing viral nucleic acid, e.g. double-stranded (ds) DNA, genome release from or packaging of viruses having their nucleic acid genome packaged under stress in their capsid, and compositions useful for that purpose. The methods alter the ionic environment of the nucleic acid within the capsid and thereby prevent release of, and/or interfere with packaging of the viral genome.

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.

The present technology provides peptides, methods of generating the peptides, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the peptides. In some embodiments, the peptide is D-Arg-26-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH.sub.2.

The disclosure provides methods of preventing or treating heart failure in a mammalian subject. The methods comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide to subjects in need thereof.

The present invention relates to a peptide for inhibiting skin inflammation and a pharmaceutical composition and a cosmetic composition for preventing or treating skin inflammation including the same. Since the peptide, pharmaceutical composition and cosmetic composition are effective for improving symptoms of skin inflammation caused by atopic dermatitis and the like, they are useful for preventing, improving or treating skin inflammation.