Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd.

Other

Assaf Friedler

Abraham Loyter

Zvi Hayouka

Aviad Levin

Chaim Gilon

Rachel Nechushtai

Merav Darash-Yahana

Yang-Sung Sohn

Amnon Wolf

Anat Iosub-Amir

Dorit Michaeli

The present invention provides peptides comprising a sequence derived from the human NAF-1 protein, analogs of said sequence or a retro-inverso sequence of said peptide or analog. The conjugates of such peptides are provided as well. The peptides and the conjugates of the present invention are useful in treating cancer, and in particular cancer in which the expression of NAF-1 is enhanced.

NAF-1 derived peptides and uses thereof

Isolated peptides comprising sequences derived from the protein integrase of HIV-1, as well as their analogs, mixtures, conjugates with permeability enhancing moieties, and pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed. The peptides and compositions are capable of selectively killing HIV-1 infected cells and are used in treatment of HIV infection and AIDS.

HIV-1 integrase derived peptides and compositions

HIV-1 integrase derived stimulatory peptides interfering with integrase&#x2014;Rev protein binding

The design and the synthesis of backbone cyclic peptide analogs which functionally mimic the nuclear localization signal (NLS) region of macromolecules is disclosed. The principles of the invention are exemplified for the NLS sequences of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 proteins MA, Vpr, Tat and NLS-like sequences of HIV-1 protein Vif. We disclose the discovery of a novel, highly potent backbone cyclic peptide, designated BCvir, which inhibits nuclear import with an IC value of 35 nM. This inhibitory potency is to be compared to 12 &mgr;M exhibited by the linear parent HIV-1 MA NLS peptide. BCvir also reduced HIV-1 production by 75% in infected non-dividing cultured human T-cells and was relatively resistant to tryptic digestion. These properties render backbone cyclic peptide analogs of NLS or NLS-like sequences as candidates for novel drugs based on blocking nuclear import of viral genomes.

Inhibition of nuclear import by backbone cyclic peptide analogs

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Mevaseret Zion, Israel

Assaf Friedler