Catalytically active peptides

Abstract

A catalytically active peptide comprising an imidazole function in position i flanked by at least one functional group to be amidated in position i+3+4k, where k is an integer equal to or higher than −1 or in position i−4−4n, wherein n is an integer equal to or higher than 0, characterized in that it also comprises at least one activating group in position i+4+4n or i−3−4n, respectively, wherein n is as above.

1 . A catalytically active peptide comprising histidine in position i flanked by at least one lysine, ornithine or diaminobutyric acid residue to be amidated in position i+3+4k, where k is −1, 0 or 2, or in position i−4−4n, wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, characterized in that it also comprises at least one activating group constituted by serine, threonine, tyrosine or cysteine in position i+4+4n or i−3−4n, respectively, wherein n is as above. 
     
     
         2 . A peptide with any of SEQ. ID. Nos. 1-11 given in the appended sequence listing. 
     
     
         3 . A peptide with SEQ. ID. No. 2, SEQ. ID. No. 4, SEQ. ID. No. 5, SEQ. ID. No. 8, SEQ. ID. No. 10 or SEQ. ID. No. 11 given in the appended sequence listing. 
     
     
         4 . A active polypeptide with a helix-loop-helix configuration comprising, as catalytically active part, a peptide according to any one of the  claims 1 - 3 . 
     
     
         5 . Use of a peptide according to any one of the  claims 1 - 3  or a polypeptide according to  claim 4  in a method for site-selective acyl transfer in or amidation of folded polypeptides and proteins. 
     
     
         6 . Use of a peptide according to any one of the  claims 1 - 3  or a polypeptide according to  claim 4  in protection of proteins from proteolytic degradation. 
     
     
         7 . Use of a peptide according to any one of the  claims 1 - 3  or a polypeptide according to  claim 4  in protein folding. 
     
     
         8 . Use of a peptide according to any one of the  claims 1 - 3  or a polypeptide according to  claim 4  in vaccine development. 
     
     
         9 . Use of a peptide according to any one of the  claims 1 - 3  or a polypeptide according to  claim 4  in construction of antagonists for components of the immune system. 
     
     
         10 . Use of a peptide according to any one of the  claims 1 - 3  or a polypeptide according to  claim 4  in construction of agonists for components of the immune system. 
     
     
         11 . Use of a peptide according to any one of the  claims 1 - 3  or a polypeptide according to  claim 4  in production of antibodies.