The protease-activated thrombin receptor-1 (PAR-1) can be activated by both the tethered ligand exposed by thrombin cleavage and a synthetic peptide having the tethered ligand sequence (thrombin receptor agonist peptide or TRAP). We conducted a mutational analysis of extracellular residues of the receptor potentially involved in interaction with both the tethered ligand and the soluble peptide ...

Amyloid is a complex pathologic matrix comprised principally of paracrystalline protein fibrils and heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Systemic amyloid diseases are rare, thus, routine diagnosis is often challenging. The glycosaminoglycans ubiquitously present in amyloid deposits are biochemically and electrochemically distinct from those found in the healthy tissues due to the high degree of sulfa...

A dodecapeptide EDIKPKTSLAFR ligand targeting CEN-1 human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) was identified by in vivo phage display. Two tridecapeptides and their derivatives, named YR13 (YEDIKPKTSLAFR), EY13 (EDIKPKTSLAFRY), EY13-NH2 (EDIKPKTSLAFRY-NH2) and Fmoc-YR13 (Fmoc-YEDIKPKTSLAFR), were synthesized and radiolabeled with 131I. The stability in vitro, biodistribution and tissue distribution ...

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a β-galactosidase binding protein that modulates various cellular processes including cell adhesion, and metastasis. We evaluated the tumor targeting and imaging properties of a galectin-3 binding peptide originally selected from bacteriophage display, in a mouse model of human breast carcinoma expressing galectin-3. A galectin-3 binding peptide, ANTPCGPYTHDCPVKR, was synt...

We have recently developed a kinetically controlled, step-wise affinity cross-linking technique for specific, high-yield, covalent linkage of murine epidermal growth factor (mEGF) via its N terminus to the EGF receptor. EGF receptor from A431 cells was cross-linked to radiolabeled mEGF (125I-mEGF) by this technique and the 125I-mEGF-receptor complex was purified and denatured. Tryptic digestion...

We have generated a monospecific antibody to a synthetic peptide encoded by an RNA complementary to the mRNA for angiotensin II (AII) and determined whether this antibody recognizes the AII receptor. We demonstrate that the antibody competes specifically with 125I-labeled AII for the same binding site on rat adrenal membranes. Furthermore, we show that this antibody inhibits the secretion of al...

  Introduction: Ubiquicidin (UBI) 29-41 is a synthetic antimicrobial peptide that binds with the microbial cell membrane at the location of infection. This study was conducted to evaluate its probable efficacy as an infection-imaging agent with potential to differentiate bacterial infection from sterile inflammation in humans. Methods: Fifteen diabetic foot patients ...

Malignant gliomas are associated with high mortality due to infiltrative growth, recurrence, and malignant progression. Even with the most efficient therapy combinations, median survival of the glioblastoma multiforme (grade 4) patients is less than 15 months. Therefore, new treatment approaches are urgently needed. We describe here identification of a novel homing peptide that recognizes tumor...

Human cancer cells overexpress many peptide receptors as molecular targets. Radiolabeled peptides that bind with high affinity and specificity to the receptors on tumor cells hold great potential for both diagnostic imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy. The advantage of solid-phase peptide synthesis, the availability of different chelating agents and prosthetic groups and bioconjugation te...