Peptide inhibitors of protein kinase C gamma for pain management

Abstract

Peptide sequences derived from the V5 domain of isozymes of protein kinase C for use in pain management are described. Also described are compositions comprising the peptides for treating pain and/or inducing analgesia. Methods of pain treatment and methods of identifying compounds that mimic the activity of the peptides are also described.

1 . An isolated peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence having at least 80% sequence identity to a contiguous sequence of between 5-10 amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         2 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said contiguous sequence is a contiguous sequence of 5-10 amino acid residues from the first ten residues of SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         3 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said contiguous sequence is a contiguous sequence of 5-10 amino acid residues from amino acid residues at positions 25-35 of SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         4 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide is attached to a carrier to facilitate transport into a cell. 
     
     
         5 . The isolated peptide of  claim 4 , wherein said carrier is a peptide carrier. 
     
     
         6 . The isolated peptide of  claim 5 , wherein said peptide carrier is selected from a Tat carrier and a carrier from  Drosphilia  Antennapedia homeodomain. 
     
     
         7 . The isolated peptide of  claim 5 , wherein said peptide carrier is attached to said peptide by an N-terminal Cys residue. 
     
     
         8 . The isolated peptide of  claim 5 , wherein said peptide carrier is selected from SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         9 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , in combination with a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent. 
     
     
         10 . The isolated peptide of  claim 8 , wherein said diluent is suitable for injection. 
     
     
         11 . A method for treating allodynia in a patient, comprising providing a peptide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A method for treating hyperalgesia in a patient, comprising providing a peptide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A method for treating inflammatory pain, comprising providing a peptide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A method for treating neuropathic pain, comprising providing a peptide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A method for treating pain associated with cancer, comprising providing a peptide according to  claim 1 .