Biologically Active Peptides

Abstract

Thirty substantially pure and biologically active peptides are disclosed. Nucleic acids that have sequences coding for the biologically active peptides and pharmaceutical formulations produced therefrom are also disclosed.

1 . An isolated and substantially pure peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30, and a functional derivative thereof.  
     
     
         2 . An isolated and substantially pure peptide according to  claim 1  wherein said peptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         3 . An isolated and substantially pure peptide according to  claim 2  wherein said peptide consists essentially of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         4 . An isolated and substantially pure peptide according to  claim 3  wherein said peptide consists of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         5 . An isolated and substantially pure peptide according to  claim 4  wherein said peptide modulates a condition selected from the group consisting of immune activity, hepatitis infection, hepatitis B infection, the extent of nephritis and the growth of a cancer.  
     
     
         6 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an isolated and substantially pure peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30, and a functional derivative thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 6  wherein said peptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         8 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 7  wherein said peptide consists essentially of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         9 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 8  wherein said peptide consists of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         10 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 9  wherein said peptide modulates a condition selected from the group consisting immune activity, hepatitis infection, hepatitis B infection, the extent of nephritis and the growth of a cancer.  
     
     
         11 . A genetic vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a peptide, said peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30, or a functional derivative thereof.  
     
     
         12 . A genetic vector according to  claim 11  wherein said peptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         13 . A genetic vector according to  claim 12  wherein said peptide consists essentially of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         14 . A genetic vector according to  claim 13  wherein said peptide consists of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         15 . A genetic vector according to  claim 14  wherein said peptide modulates a condition selected from the group consisting of immune activity, hepatitis infection, hepatitis B infection, the extent of nephritis and the growth of a cancer.  
     
     
         16 . A micro-organism having a genetic composition comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a peptide, said peptide comprising a biologically active peptide or a functional derivative thereof, said biologically active peptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         17 . A method of making a pharmaceutical composition comprising providing an isolated and substantially pure peptide and admixing said peptide with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said peptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30, and a functional derivative thereof.  
     
     
         18 . A method of making a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 17  wherein said peptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         19 . A method of making a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 18  wherein said peptide consists essentially of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         20 . A method of making a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 19  wherein said peptide consists of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         21 . A method of treating a condition of a mammal comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective dose of an isolated and substantially pure peptide, said peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30, and a functional derivative thereof, wherein said mammal is a human or a non-human animal body.  
     
     
         22 . A method of treating a condition of a mammal according to  claim 21  wherein said peptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         23 . A method of treating a condition of a mammal according to  claim 22  wherein said peptide consists essentially of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         24 . A method of treating a condition of a mammal according to  claim 23  wherein said peptide consists of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30.  
     
     
         25 . A method of treating a condition of a mammal according to  claim 24  wherein said condition comprises modulation of the immune activity and the growth of cancer.  
     
     
         26 . A method of treating a condition of a mammal according to  claim 25  wherein said modulation of the immune activity comprises selecting an immune activity modulating peptide or peptide-containing composition and administering an effective amount of said peptide or peptide-containing composition to said animal, wherein said peptide consists of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30, wherein said amount is effective to modulate immune activity of said animal.  
     
     
         27 . A method of treating a condition of a mammal according to  claim 25  wherein said modulation of the growth of cancer comprises selecting a cancer cell proliferation inhibiting peptide or peptide-containing composition and administering an effective amount of said peptide or peptide-containing composition to said cells, wherein said peptide consists of SEQ ID NOs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-15, 17-30, wherein said amount is effective to suppress proliferation or inhibit growth of cancer cells.