| abstract |
The present inventors have discovered a protease-resistant peptide fragment (termed pepRF1) of the Dengue virus capsid protein that is a potent antagonist of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). This peptide fragment may be useful, for example, in the treatment of CXCR4 mediated conditions, such as HIV and cancer. Thus, the present invention relates to a pepRF1 peptide consisting of the amino acid 10 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. The pepRF1 peptide may consist of residues 66 to 82 of the capsid protein of Dengue virus 2, 1 or 3; or residues 65 to 81 of the Dengue virus 2 capsid protein; or the corresponding residues in another Dengue virus capsid protein. For example, the pepRF1 peptide may consist of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 10 to 14. |