New peptides as selective GIP receptor agonists The present invention relates to peptidic selective GIP receptor agonists and their medical use, for example in the treatment of disorders of the metabolic syndrome, including diabetes and obesity, hyperglycemia, as well as the treatment of disorders associated with nausea and vomiting.

The present invention provides peptides comprising a sequence of X-.sub.6X-.sub.5X-.sub.4X-.sub.3X-.sub.2X-.sub.1X.sub.1PX.sub.3X.sub.4PX.sub.6X.sub.7PGX.sub.10X.sub.11AX.sub.13X.sub.14X.sub.15X.sub.16LX.sub.18X.sub.19X.sub.20X.sub.21X.sub.22X.sub.23LX.sub.25X.sub.26YLX.sub.29X.sub.30X.sub.31X.sub.32 wherein the amino acids X-.sub.6, X-.sub.5, X-.sub.4, X-.sub.3, X-.sub.2, X-.sub.1, X.sub.1, X.sub.3, X.sub.4, X.sub.6, X.sub.7, X.sub.10, X.sub.11, X.sub.13, X.sub.14, X.sub.15, X.sub.16, X.sub.18, X.sub.19, X.sub.20, X.sub.21, X.sub.22, X.sub.25, X.sub.26, X.sub.29, X.sub.30, X.sub.31, and X.sub.32 are as defined herein. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides and methods of using the peptides for treating proliferative diseases such as cancer which are associated with Ras. Also provided are methods of screening a library of peptide dimers using a peptide dimer display technology.

The present invention provides peptides comprising a sequence of X-.sub.6X-.sub.5X-.sub.4X-.sub.3X-.sub.2X-.sub.1X.sub.1PX.sub.3X.sub.4PX.sub.6X.sub.7PGX.sub.10X.sub.11AX.sub.13X.sub.14X.sub.15X.sub.16LX.sub.18X.sub.19X.sub.20X.sub.21X.sub.22X.sub.23LX.sub.25X.sub.26YLX.sub.29X.sub.30X.sub.31X.sub.32 wherein the amino acids X-.sub.6, X-.sub.5, X-.sub.4, X-.sub.3, X-.sub.2, X-.sub.1, X.sub.1, X.sub.3, X.sub.4, X.sub.6, X.sub.7, X.sub.10, X.sub.11, X.sub.13, X.sub.14, X.sub.15, X.sub.16, X.sub.18, X.sub.19, X.sub.20, X.sub.21, X.sub.22, X.sub.25, X.sub.26, X.sub.29, X.sub.30, X.sub.31, and X.sub.32 are as defined herein. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides and methods of using the peptides for treating proliferative diseases such as cancer which are associated with Ras. Also provided are methods of screening a library of peptide dimers using a peptide dimer display technology.

A cell genetically engineered for activating natural killer (NK) cells. The genetically engineered cell for activating NK cells synergistically induces the proliferation and activation of NK cells in a sample, thereby producing effects that can be usefully utilized in a method of proliferating NK cells, a method of measuring NK cells proliferated by the method, or an activation degree of NK cells, or a method of diagnosing an NK cell activity-related disease. A feeder cell for culturing a natural killer (NK) cell, genetically engineered to express membrane bound interleukin-18 (mbIL-18) and membrane bound interleukin-21 (mbIL-21).

The present invention relates generally to novel multi-agonist peptides useful as agents for the treatment and prevention of metabolic diseases and disorders, for example those which can be alleviated by control of weight loss, plasma glucose and lipid levels, insulin levels, and/or insulin secretion, positive inotropic effects, reduction of catabolic effects, slowing of gastric emptying and preventing neurodegeneration. Such conditions and disorders include, but are not limited to, control of food intake, weight loss, energy metabolism, plasma glucose levels, insulin levels, and/or insulin secretion, positive inotropic effects, reduction of catabolic effects, slowing of gastric emptying, obesity, diabetes and diabetes-related conditions, liver fat-associated inflammation and injury.

Disclosed herein S-alkylated hepcidin peptides and methods of making and using thereof. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to an S-alkylated hepcidin peptide having the following Structural Formula IA or IB. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a composition comprising at least one S-alkylated hepcidin peptide of the present invention. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method of binding a ferroportin or inducing ferroportin internalization and degradation which comprises contacting the ferroportin with at least one S-alkylated hepcidin peptide of the present invention. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a kit comprising at least one S-alkylated hepcidin peptide.

Disclosed herein S-alkylated hepcidin peptides and methods of making and using thereof. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to an S-alkylated hepcidin peptide having the following Structural Formula IA or IB. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a composition comprising at least one S-alkylated hepcidin peptide of the present invention. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method of binding a ferroportin or inducing ferroportin internalization and degradation which comprises contacting the ferroportin with at least one S-alkylated hepcidin peptide of the present invention. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a kit comprising at least one S-alkylated hepcidin peptide.

This document provides butyrylcholinesterases having an enhanced ability to hydrolyze acyl ghrelin as well as nucleic acids encoding such butyrylcholinesterases. This document also provides methods and materials for treating obesity and/or aggression. For example, methods for administering a nucleic acid encoding a wild-type or mutant butyrylcholinesterase having the ability to hydrolyze acyl ghrelin to a mammal under conditions wherein the level of acyl ghrelin within the mammal is reduced, under conditions wherein the rate of body weight gain of the mammal is reduced, under conditions wherein the mammal’s level of aggression is reduced, and/or under conditions wherein the mammal’s rate of developing stress-induced tissue damage are provided.

Culture media comprising manganese and methods of culturing cells to improve sialylation and glycosylation of glycoproteins are provided.

Culture media comprising manganese and methods of culturing cells to improve sialylation and glycosylation of glycoproteins are provided.