| abstract |
Short peptide of the formula: Ra-Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Rb(I) where Ra represents an amino terminal residue Ala- or D-Ala and Rb represents a carboxy terminal residue -Thr or -Thr amide or a derivative thereof with an additional Cys- residue at one or both of the amino and carboxy terminals, or a peptide of formula (II): R1-R2-R3-R4-R5 (II) where R1 is an amino terminal residue Thr-, Ser-, Asn-, Leu-, Ile-, Arg- or Glu- R2 is Thr, Ser or Asp R3 is Thr, Ser, Asn, Arg, Gln, Lys or Trp R4 is Tyr and R5 is a carboxy terminal amnio group or a derivative thereof with a corresponding D- amino acid as the amino terminal residue, and/or a corresponding amide derivative at the carboxy terminal residue and/or additionally a Cys- residue at one or both of the amino and carboxy terminals, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof. Such peptides bind to T4 receptors are useful in preventing viral infectivity by viruses which bind to the T4 receptors. These peptides are believed to act as competitive blocking agents. |