| abstract |
The present invention is directed to contryphan peptides having 6-12 amino acids, preferably including one or more D-tryptophan or D-leucine residues. The peptides of the present invention are generically termed 'contryphans', although the D-leucine containing contryphans are sometimes referred to as leu-contryphans. More specifically, the present invention is directed to contryphan peptides having the general formula Xaa1-Cys-Xaa2-Xaa3-Xaa4-Pro-Xaa3-Cys (SEQ ID No:1), wherein Xaa1 is any amino acid or des-Xaa1, Xaa2 is Pro, 4-trans-hydroxyproline or Val, Xaa3 is D-Trp, L-Trp, D-Leu or L-Leu, preferably D-Trp or D-Leu, Xaa4 is any amino acid and Xaa5 is Trp or Tyr. When the peptide contains Xaa1, it is preferably Gly, Glu, or Lys, most preferably Gly. When Xaa3 is D- or L-Trp, Xaa2 is preferably Pro or 4-trans-hydroxyproline. When Xaa3 is D- or L-Leu, Xaa2 is preferably Val. The carboxy terminus may contain a carboxyl or an amide, preferably an amide. The present invention is further directed to the specific contryphan peptides and propeptides as described herein. The present invention is also directed to nucleic acids encoding the contryphan peptides and their propeptides as described herein. The contryphans of the present invention are useful as anticonvulsant or neuroprotective agents. |