Peptides and methods using same for diagnosing and treating amyloid-associated diseases

Abstract

A peptide comprising at least 5 amino acid residues.and less than 15 amino acid residues, the peptide including an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7 as well as pharmaceutical compositions, kits and methods for diagnosing and treating amyloid associated diseases.

1 . A method of inhibiting amyloid formation, the method comprising contacting a biological sample with a peptide having at least 5 amino acid residues and less than 15 amino acid residues, said peptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:. 7, thereby inhibiting amyloid formation and/or occurrence of said amyloid in the biological sample.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4, 12 and 13.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide further comprises at least two serine residues attached to a C-terminus thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide is a linear or cyclic peptide.  
     
     
         5 . A method of disaggregating amyloid, the method comprising contacting a biological sample which comprises the amyloid with a peptide having at least 5 amino acid residues and less than 15 amino acid residues, said peptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7, thereby disaggregating the amyloid in the biological sample.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4, 12 and 13.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said peptide further comprises at least two serine residues attached to a C-terminus thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said peptide is a linear or cyclic peptide.  
     
     
         9 . A method of screening test compounds useful in prevention or disaggregation of amyloid deposits, the method comprising: 
 (a) contacting the test compounds with amyloid aggregates which comprise a labeled peptide having at least 5 amino acid residues and less than 15 amino acid residues, said peptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7; and    (b) monitoring displacement of said labeled peptide by a test compound of the test compounds, said test compound being useful in prevention or disaggregation of amyloid deposits.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4, 12 and 13.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said peptide further comprises at least two serine residues attached to a C-terminus thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said peptide is a linear or cyclic peptide.