Isolated polypeptides and compositions from the venom of P. transvaalicus and methods of use

An isolated polypeptide comprising at least 6 amino acids of the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS:27-30.

An isolated polypeptide, wherein said polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS:1-5 and SEQ ID NOS:27-30.

A scorpion birtoxin family polypeptide separated from its natural milieu.

An isolated bradykinin-like polypeptide comprising the sequence X1(X2)nX3X4X5X6PX7R, wherein X1 is at the N-terminus of the polypeptide and wherein X1 is any modified amino acid, (X2)n is contiguous sequence of any amino acids of length n, where n is from 0 to about 30, P is Pro, R is Arg, X4 is Ile, Leu or Val and X3, X5 X6 and X7 are any amino acids.

An isolated bradykinin-like polypeptide comprising the sequence X1X2X3X4X5PX6R, wherein X1 is at the N-terminus of the polypeptide and wherein X3 is Ile, Leu or Val, P is Pro, R is Arg, and X1,X2,X3, X4, X5 and X6 are any amino acids.

A scorpion bradykinin-like polypeptide separated from its natural milieu.

An isolated antibody which specifically binds a polypeptide comprising the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS:1-5 and SEQ ID NOS:27-30, or an antigenic epitope thereof.

An isolated polynucleotide which encodes a polypeptide comprising at least about 6 contiguous amino acids of the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS:1-5 and SEQ ID NOS:27-30.

A method of identifying a substance which modulates a ion channel binding activity of a birtoxin family polypeptide, comprising:

• a) contacting the substance with a sample containing a birtoxin family polypeptide and an ion channel;
• and
• b) assaying a ion channel binding activity of birtoxin family polypeptide in the presence of the substance, wherein an increase or a decrease in ion channel binding activity of birtoxin family polypeptide in comparison to ion channel binding activity of birtoxin family polypeptide in a suitable control is an indication that the substance modulates ion channel activity.

A method of modulating binding of a birtoxin family polypeptide to an ion channel, comprising:

• contacting a sample comprising a birtoxin family polypeptide and an ion channel with a specific modulator of birtoxin family polypeptide-ion channel.

A method comprising contacting ion channels of cells with a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a peptide having at least 20 amino acids of the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS:1-5.

A method of identifying a substance which modulates a receptor binding activity of a parakinin family polypeptide, comprising:

• a) contacting the substance with a sample containing a parakinin polypeptide and an kinin receptor;
• and
• b) assaying kinin receptor binding activity of the parakinin polypeptide in the presence of the substance, wherein an increase or a decrease in kinin receptor binding activity of parakinin polypeptide in comparison to kinin receptor binding activity of parakinin polypeptide in a suitable control is an indication that the substance modulates kinin receptor activity.

A method of modulating a kinin-associated disease or condition, comprising contacting a subject in need of treatment with a polypeptide comprising the comprising the sequence X1(X2)nX3X4X5X6PX7R, wherein X is at the N-terminus of the polypeptide and wherein X1 is any amino acid, (X2)n is contiguous sequence of any amino acids of length n, is from 0 to about 30, P is Pro, R is Arg, X4 is Ile Leu or Val and X3, X5 X6 and X7 are any amino acids, P is an aromatic amino acid of the D-conformation, whereby at least one symptom of the kinin-associated disease or condition is at least reduced.

A method comprising bringing an insect into contact with a composition comprising a peptide having at least 20 amino acids of the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS:1-5 and SEQ ID NOS:27-30.

A method comprising bringing a pest into contact with a composition comprising a peptide having at least 20 amino acids of the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS:1-5 and SEQ ID NOS:27-30.