Small humanin-like peptides
View Patent ↗Novel peptides referred to as small humanin-like peptides (SHLPs) are provided herein along with nucleic acids encoding SHLPs and probes that selectively bind SHLPs. SHLPs have wide-ranging activity, including neuroprotective activity, anticancer activity, and cell survival activity. Also provided herein are therapeutic methods comprising administering an effective amount of an SHLP to a subject in need of treatment.
1. An isolated small humanin-like peptide (SHLP) consisting of an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to MGVKFFTLSTRFFPSVQRAVPLWTNS (SEQ ID NO: 9), wherein the SHLP has at least one therapeutic activity selected from the group consisting of:
inhibiting cell death induced by amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides in Alzheimer's disease,
inhibiting apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells,
stimulating insulin-induced differentiation of adipocytes,
enhancing cellular resistance to environmental stress, and
inhibiting intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) a small humanin-like peptide (SHLP) consisting of an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to MGVKFFTLSTRFFPSVQRAVPLWTNS (SEQ ID NO: 9); and (ii) at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient,
wherein the SHLP has at least one therapeutic activity selected from the group consisting of inhibiting cell death induced by amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides in Alzheimer's disease, inhibiting apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells, stimulating insulin-induced differentiation of adipocytes, enhancing cellular resistance to environmental stress, and inhibiting intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS).