1,748 research outputs found
Bioactive peptides from libraries
No full textNew ligands for a variety of biological targets can be selected from biological or synthetic combinatorial peptide libraries. The use of different libraries to select novel peptides with potential therapeutic applications is reviewed. The possible combination of molecular diversity provided by combinatorial libraries and a rational approach derived from computational modeling is also considered. Advantages and disadvantages of different approaches are compared. Possible strategies to bypass loss of peptide bioactivity in the transition from ligand selection to in vivo use are discusse
Binding of HIV-1 gp120 to the nicotinic receptor
No full textWe previously described a significant sequence homology between HIV-1 gp120 and the functional sites responsible for the specific binding of snake curare-mimetic neurotoxins and rabies virus glycoprotein to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Here we report findings about the existence of a mechanism of functional molecular mimicry which could enable the binding of HIV-1 gp120 to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in muscle cells and neurons
Mimotopes of the nicotinic receptor binding site selected by a combinatorial peptide library
No full textPeptide libraries allow selecting new molecules, defined as mimotopes, which are able to mimic the structural and functional features of a native protein. This technology can be applied for the development of new reagents, which can interfere with the action of specific ligands on their target receptors. In the present study we used a combinatorial library approach to produce synthetic peptides mimicking the snake neurotoxin binding site of nicotinic receptors. On the basis of amino acid sequence comparison of different alpha-bungarotoxin binding receptors, we designed a 14 amino acid combinatorial synthetic peptide library with five invariant, four partially variant, and five totally variant positions. Peptides were synthesized using SPOT synthesis on cellulose membranes, and binding sequences were selected using biotinylated alpha-bungarotoxin. Each variant position was systematically identified, and all possible combinations of the best reacting amino acids in each variant position were tested. The best reactive sequences were identified, produced in soluble form, and tested in BIACORE to compare their kinetic constants. We identified several different peptides that can inhibit the binding of alpha-bungarotoxin to both muscle and neuronal nicotinic receptors. Peptide mimotopes have a toxin-binding affinity that is considerably higher than peptides reproducing native receptor sequence
Toxin-related antibodies with antimicrobial and antiviral activity
No full textAnti-idiotypic antibodies which recognise the idiotope of an antibody specific for a yeast killer toxin possess microbicidal activity. Fragments (e.g. decapeptides) of these anti-idiotypic antibodies, particularly those comprising CDR residues, also show microbicidal activity, as do peptides having 5 the same sequence but composed of D-amino acids, or including amino acid substitutions. Peptidomimetics of these microbicidal polypeptides are also provided. Antiviral activity is also seen
Toxin-related antibodies with antimicrobial and antiviral activity
No full textAnti-idiotypic antibodies which recognise the idiotope of an antibody specific for a yeast killer toxin possess microbicidal activity. Fragments (e.g. decapeptides) of these anti-idiotypic antibodies, particularly those comprising CDR residues, also show microbicidal activity, as do peptides having the same sequence but composed of D-amino acids, or including amino acid substitutions. Peptidomimetics of these microbicidal polypeptides are also provided. Antiviral activity is also seen
New Developments in Heterocyclic Silyl Enol Ether Chemistry: Synthesis and Lewis Acid Mediated Reactions with Carbon Electrophiles of 2,5-bis(trimethylsiloxy)thiophene and 1-Methyl-2,5-bis(trimethylsiloxy)pyrrole
No full textLuisa Igloria, 36th Annual ODU Literary Festival
No full textLuisa Igloria is an award -winning poet, and the author of The Saints of Streets (University of Santo Tomas Publishing House, Fall 2013), Juan Luna\u27s Revolver (University of Notre Dame Press, 2009 Ernest Sandeen Prize), Trill & Mordent (WordTech Editions, 2005), and 8 other books. Luisa has degrees from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she was a Fulbright Fellow from 1992-1995. Luisa teaches in and currently directs the MFA Creative Writing Program at Old Dominion University
Luisa A, Igloria, 37th Annual ODU Literary Festival
No full textLUISA A. IGLORIA is a professor and director of the MFA Creative Writing Program at ODU. She is the author of Ode to the Heart Smaller than a Pencil Eraser (2014 May Swenson Prize, University of Utah Press); Night Willow: Prose Poems (2014); The Saints of Streets (2013); Juan Luna\u27s Revolver (2009 Ernest Sandeen Prize); Trill & Mordent (2005); and eight other books. Luisa was a Fulbright Fellow from 1992-95 at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Since Nov. 20, 2010, she has written (at least) a poem a day, archived at www.vianegativa.us/author/luisa/
Surface Plasmon Resonance analysis of HIV-1 gp 120 binding to muscle nicotinic receptors
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