US 6,608,026 B1 · Apoptotic compounds

Abstract

The invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing apoptosis of pathogenic cells. The general method comprises the of contacting the cells with an effective amount of an AV peptoid, wherein the AV peptoid is a peptide comprising AX1, wherein X1 is V, I or L, or a peptide mimetic thereof, which interacts with an Inhibitor of Apoptosis protein (IAP) as measured by IAP binding, procaspase-3 activation or promotion of apoptosis, wherein apoptosis of the pathogenic cells is enhanced. The subject compositions encompass pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a subject AV peptoid in dosage form and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the AV peptoid is a peptide comprising AX1, wherein X1 is V, I or L, or a peptide mimetic thereof, which inhibits the activity of an Inhibitor of Apoptosis protein (IAP) as measured by IAP binding, procaspase-3 activation or promotion of apoptosis. The invention also provides assays for identifying agents which modulates the interaction of an AV peptoid with an IAP, active compounds identified in such screens and their use in the foregoing compositions and therapeutic methods.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of enhancing apoptosis of pathogenic cells comprising the steps of:

contacting the cells with an effective amount of an AV peptoid, wherein the peptoid comprises the amino acid sequence Ala-Val-Pro, is fewer than 20 residues in length, has a molecular weight less than 1000, and interacts with an Inhibitor of Apoptosis protein (IAP) as measured by IAP binding, whereby apoptosis of the pathogenic cells is enhanced;
and
detecting the resultant enhanced apoptosis of said pathogenic cells.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apoptotic compounds

Life of this patent

Apoptotic compounds

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20