Tdf-related compounds and analogs thereof, analogs and bioactive fragments

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to tissue differentiation factor (TDF) analogs. More specifically, the invention relates to structure-based methods and compositions useful in designing, identifying, and producing molecules, which act as functional modulators of TDF-like receptors. The invention further relates to methods of detecting, preventing, and treating TDF-associated disorders.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of treating a tissue differentiation factor-associated disorder or disease in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a purified polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:333 in an amount sufficient to treat the tissue differentiation factor-associated disorder or disease in the subject. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the purified polypeptide is administered intravenously. 
     
     
         20 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         27 . A method of preventing a tissue differentiation factor-associated disorder or disease in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a purified polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:333 in an amount sufficient to prevent the tissue differentiation factor-associated disorder in the subject. 
     
     
         28 .- 92 . (canceled) 
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the tissue differentiation factor-associated disorder or disease is acute kidney injury. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the tissue differentiation factor-associated disorder or disease is chronic kidney disease. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the purified polypeptide consists of SEQ ID NO:333. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the purified polypeptide is linear. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the purified polypeptide is cyclic. 
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the purified polypeptide is a cyclized disulfide polypeptide. 
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the serum creatinine levels in the subject are reduced after administration of the purified polypeptide to the subject. 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the purified polypeptide is administered intravenously. 
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the tissue differentiation factor-associated disorder or disease is acute kidney injury. 
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the tissue differentiation factor-associated disorder or disease is chronic kidney disease. 
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the purified polypeptide consists of SEQ ID NO:333. 
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the purified polypeptide is linear. 
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the purified polypeptide is cyclic. 
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the purified polypeptide is a cyclized disulfide polypeptide. 
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the serum creatinine levels in the subject do not increase after administration of the purified polypeptide to the subject. 
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the purified polypeptide is administered to the subject before a surgery. 
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein the surgery is cardiac surgery.