The present invention relates to the conjugation of a tubulysin analog compound to a cell-binding molecule with branched/side-chain linkers for having better delivery of the conjugate compound and targeted treatment of abnormal cells. It also relates to a branched-linkage method of conjugation of a tubulysin analog molecule to a cell-binding ligand, as well as methods of using the conjugate in targeted treatment of cancer, infection and autoimmune disease.

The disclosure pertains to epitopes identified in A-beta including conformational epitopes, antibodies thereto and methods of making and using immunogens and antibodies specific thereto.

A water-soluble peptide fluorescence material having a structure of formula (I): ##STR00001## In formula (I), n is an integer greater than or equal to 1, R.sub.1 is independently selected from hydrogen or a nitrogen-containing functional group, R.sub.2 is independently selected from hydrogen or alkyl, and A.sub.1 is polymerized by at least one amino acid monomer and having a structure of formula (II): ##STR00002## In formula (II), m is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and R.sub.3 in each of the amino acid monomers of A.sub.1 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, alkylthioaalkyl, hydroxyaralky, heteroaralkyl, carboxylalkyl, or guanidinylalkyl. A.sub.2 is OR.sub.5 or N(R.sub.4).sub.2, and R.sub.4 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, alkylthioaalkyl, hydroxyaralky, heteroaralkyl, carboxylalkyl, guanidinylalkyl, monoglycosyl, biglycosyl, or oligosaccharyl, and R.sub.5 is hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, alkylthioaalkyl, hydroxyaralky, heteroaralkyl, carboxylalkyl, or guanidinylalkyl.

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.

This disclosure features compounds that are useful as pro-drugs of epoxy ketone protease inhibitors.

The invention provides a peptide amide compound represented by the general general formula (I), a preparation method thereof, and a medical application thereof. The compound has a novel structure, better biological activity, and better analgesic effect.

##STR00001##

Compounds of formula (I) as inhibitors of DCN1 and compositions containing the same are disclosed. Methods of using the DCN1 inhibitors in the treatment of diseases and conditions wherein inhibition of DCN1 provides a benefit, like oxidative stress-related diseases and conditions, neurodegenerative diseases and conditions, metabolic disorders, and muscular nerve degeneration, also are disclosed.

##STR00001##

Disclosed are compounds having enhanced potency in the modulation of NMDA receptor activity. Such compounds are contemplated for use in the treatment of diseases and disorders, such as learning, cognitive activities, and analgesia, particularly in alleviating and/or reducing neuropathic pain. Orally available formulations and other pharmaceutically acceptable delivery forms of the compounds, including intravenous formulations, are also disclosed.

Peptide-based compounds including heteroatom-containing, three-membered rings efficiently and selectively inhibit specific activities of N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn) hydrolases. The activities of those Ntn having multiple activities can be differentially inhibited by the compounds described. For example, the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome may be selectively inhibited with the inventive compounds. The peptide-based compounds include an epoxide or aziridine, and functionalization at the N-terminus. Among other therapeutic utilities, the peptide-based compounds are expected to display anti-inflammatory properties and inhibition of cell proliferation.

The invention provides a method of reducing or preventing mitochondrial permeability transitioning. The method comprises administering an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide having at least one net positive charge; a minimum of four amino acids; a maximum of about twenty amino acids; a relationship between the minimum number of net positive charges (p.sub.m) and the total number of amino acid residues (r) wherein 3p.sub.m is the largest number that is less than or equal to r+1; and a relationship between the minimum number of aromatic groups (a) and the total number of net positive charges (p.sub.t) wherein 2 a is the largest number that is less than or equal to p.sub.t+1, except that when a is 1, p.sub.t may also be 1.