| abstract |
The present invention provides both a method and means for regulating IλBα degradation, NFλB activity, and NFλB-dependent gene expression within living cells, tissues, and organs in-situ. The selective regulation is performed using native PR-39 peptide or one of its shorter-length homologs, for interaction with such IλBα and proteasomes as are present in the cytoplasm of viable cells. The result of PR-39 peptide interaction with IλBα is a selective alteration in the intracellular proteolytic activity of proteasomes, which in turn, causes a reduction of IλBα, a decrease of NFλB activity, and a down-regulation of NFλB-dependent gene expression. |