Polypeptides and polypeptide analogues

Abstract

Polypeptides, in particular the polypeptide of formula I: Ala-Gln-Glu-Pro-Val-Lys-Gly-Pro-Val-Ser-Thr-Lys-Pro-Gly-Ser-Cys-Pro-Ile-Ile-Leu-Ile-Arg-Cys-Ala-Met-Leu-Asn-Pro-Pro-Asn-Arg-Cys-Leu-Lys- Asp-Thr-Asp-Cys-Pro-Gly-Ile-Lys-Lys-Cys-Cys-Glu-Gly-Ser-Cys-Gly-Met-Ala-Cys-Phe-Val-Pro-Gln and analogues thereof which possess inhibitory activity against human leukocyte elastase. The polypeptides may be obtained by expression using plasmidic expression systems in hosts such as E. Coli and yeast, the polypeptide of formula I being also obtainable from psoriatic plaques.

1 . A polypeptide which possesses inhibitory activity against human leukocyte elastase, said polypeptide being obtainable from psoriatic scales of human skin and possessing one or more of the following characteristics: 
 a) a molecular weight of about 9 kD (as determined by SDS-PAGE);    b) an isoelectronic point at about pH 9.7 (as determined by isoelectronic focusing);    c) inhibitory activity against porcine pancreatic elastase in addition to human leakocyte elastase;    d) no significant activity against trypsin, human cathepsin G, Alpha-chymotrypsin and plasmin; or a fragment thereof possessing inhibitory activity against human leukocyte elastase.    
   
   
       2 - 20 . (canceled)