| abstract |
Novel analogues of the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus toxin ShK, and their use as, for example, therapeutic agents for treating autoimmune diseases are disclosed. The analogues comprise a ShK toxin polypeptide and an N-terminal extension comprising an amino acid sequence according to formula (I): wherein X −4 is D, E or other negatively-charged amino acid or derivative thereof, X −3 is E, I, L, S, V, W or a tryptophan derivative, X −2 is any amino acid, X −1 is any amino acid, a is absent or a first additional moiety, and b is absent or a second additional moiety. n a-X −4 X −3 X −2 X −1 -b (SEQ ID NO: 3 ) (I) |