Vectors encoding a paralytic peptide

Abstract

The invention relates to a low molecular weight peptide isolated from the submaxiliary saliva glands of shrews of the species Blarina as a paralytic agent. This novel paralytic agent is useful as a neuromuscular blocker and analgesic or as an insecticide.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An isolated shrew paralytic peptide having a molecular weight of about 6000 Da as measured by SDS- PAGE. 
     
     
         2 . An isolated peptide comprising all or part of the amino acid sequence:
 DCSQDCAACS ILARPAELNT ETCILECEGK LSSNDTEGGL CKEFLHPSKV DLPR (SEQ ID NO: 1).   
     
     
         3 . The peptide of  claim 1 , which includes at least one cysteine amino acid having a sulfhydryl group. 
     
     
         4 . The peptide of  claim 3 , comprising at least two cysteine amino acids each having a sulfhydryl group and forming a disulfhydryl bond. 
     
     
         5 . The peptide of  claim 4 , comprising six cysteine amino acids each having a sulfhydryl group and forming three disulfhydryl bonds. 
     
     
         6 . The peptide of  claim 1 , further having the property of absorbing light at 280 nm and stronger at 260 nm and including at least one aromatic amino acid. 
     
     
         7 . The peptide of  claim 1 , isolated from a shrew submaxiliary gland and/or shrew saliva. 
     
     
         8 . The peptide of  claim 7 , wherein the shrew submaxiliary gland is isolated from  Blarina brevicauda, Blarina carolinensis, Sorex unguiculatus, Sorex shinto saevu  ( Solenodon paradoxus ),  Neomys fodiens, Sorex maritimensis  or  Neomys anomalous.    
     
     
         9 . The. peptide of  claim 7 , wherein i) a 10 microlitre dose of 20% (w/v) crude·gland extract injected into a mealworm in an in vitro assay causes mealworm paralysis in less than 1 second; and ii) a 10 microlitre dose of 10% (w/v) crude gland extract injected into a mealworm in an in vitro assay causes mealworm paralysis in less than 10 seconds. 
     
     
         10 . The peptide of  claim 1 , in a purified form. 
     
     
         11 . The peptide of  claim 1 , purified at least 90%, 95% or 99%. 
     
     
         12 . An isolated peptide comprising a fragment of 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20-24, 25-35 or 35-45 or 45-54 amino acids of the peptide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A pharmaceutical composition or cosmetic composition including the peptide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A method of medical treatment of migraine, myofacial and other types of pain, muscle tremors, neuromuscular diseases, and excessive sweating in a mammal in need thereof comprising administering to the mammal the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 13 . 
     
     
         15 . A nucleic acid encoding the peptide of  claim 2 .