Neuroprotective peptides and uses thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to neuroprotective peptides which bind calcium and which are useful in treating stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as compositions containing such peptides. The peptides preferably are conjugated to or administered with a compound which facilitates delivery across the blood-brain barrier.

1  A method for increasing neuronal cell AP-1 or NF-IL6 transcription factor activity in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an amount of an isolated peptide which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 effective to increase the activity of AP-1 or NF-IL6 in the subject.  
     
     
         2  The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated peptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:5.  
     
     
         3  The method of  claim 2 , wherein the isolated peptide is conjugated to a compound which facilitates transport across the blood-brain barrier into the brain.  
     
     
         4  A method for binding calcium comprising contacting a calcium containing environment with the composition of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the isolated peptide comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ IDNO:10.  
     
     
         6  A method for identifying a calcium-binding peptide comprising 
 providing a putative calcium-binding peptide,  
 contacting the putative calcium-binding peptide with an environment containing calcium, and  
 determining the calcium binding of the peptide.  
 
     
     
         7  The method of  claim 6 , wherein the putative calcium binding peptide is a variant of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:19.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of providing a putative calcium-binding peptide comprises providing a library comprising peptides having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:19.  
     
     
         9  A method for identifying a peptide which increases AP-1 or NF-IL6 transcription factor activity, comprising 
 providing a peptide,  
 contacting the peptide with a cell which can express AP-1 or NF-IL6 transcription factor activity, and  
 determining the AP-1 or NF-IL6 transcription factor activity to identify the peptide which increases AP-1 or NF-IL6 transcription factor activity.  
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the peptide is a variant of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:19.  
     
     
         11  The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of providing a peptide comprises providing a library comprising peptides having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:19.