Insulin-binding peptides and uses thereof

• US 4,888,414 A
• Filed: 04/09/1987
• Issued: 12/19/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Knutson, Victoria P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moskowitz, Margaret
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mohamed, Abdel A.
• Application Number:
  US07/036,215
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 530/303, 530/329, 530/328, 530/350, 530/351, 424/110
• US Class Current: 530/303
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/00 Medicinal preparations containing peptides peptides containing beta-lactam rings A61K31/00; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, A61K31/00; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type A61K31/48; containing macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units A61K31/74; medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00; medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients, e.g. peptides as drug carriers, A61K47/00
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/72 for hormones for neuromediators C07K14/70571
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 7/06 having 5 to 11 amino acids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/74 involving hormones or other non-cytokine intercellular protein regulatory factors such as growth factors, including receptors to hormones and growth factors

Abstract

The present invention concerns a novel class of peptides which specifically bind insulin. The diverse uses of these peptides relate to insulin, insulin action and the cellular receptor for insulin. The most preferred peptide of the invention is the hexapeptide-NH₂ -cys-val-glu-glu-ala-ser-COOH which has marked affinity for the insulin B-chain.

Antibodies having specific binding affinity for peptides of the invention have identified and forseen uses. Such antibodies specifically directed toward a preferred peptide of the invention comprising cys-val-glu-glu-ala-ser represent a further preferred aspect of antibody-related aspects of the present invention.

In one significant aspect, the present invention involves a method for determining insulin levels in a biological fluid. A further aspect of the present invention involves a process for measuring insulin receptor sites involving the binding of antibodies to cells or cell fractions.

The present invention further comprises a method for decreasing the amount of biologically active insulin present in a biological fluid such as the blood of an animal. This method involves parenterally administering an amount of peptide of the invention in free or carrier-conjugated form.

Claims

1. A peptide having the formula Y-Cys-Val-Glu-Glu-Ala-Ser-X;

wherein each of X and Y is independently selected from the group consisting of a terminal amino group and a terminal carboxyl group.

2. The peptide of claim 1 wherein Y is a terminal amino group and X is a terminal carboxyl group.