Current Protein and Peptide Science - Volume 5, Issue 1, 2004

During the course of infection, a subset of HIV-1 proteins interacts with multiple cellular partners, sometimes in a hierarchical or sequential way. These proteins include those associated with the initial infection event, with the preparation of the cell for the replicative cycle of the virus and with the exit of new virions from the infected cell. It appears that the interactions of viral proteins with multiple cellular partners are mediate Read More

The peptide relaxin (RLX) was one of the first hormones to be described with a specific function in parturition. In the past ten years, there has been a revaluation of RLX physiology and the concept that sex hormones play roles that are limited to reproductive functions is rapidly changing. In this view, growing evidence indicates that the peptide hormone RLX, structurally related to insulin and insulin-like growth factor and primaril Read More

The binding of amyloid beta peptides (Aβ) to plasma membranes appears to be a promising point of intervention in the events leading to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This binding has been studied as regards the direct toxicity of Aβ on neurons, and the activation of a local inflammation phase involving microglia. By virtue of its structure, Aβ is able to bind to a variety of biomolecules, including lipids, proteogl Read More

Cross-linking and cross-bridging are highly versatile methods of creating composite protein structures with desired mechanical properties such as deformation endurance, elasticity, extensibility, and stability under intensive and repetitive sheering forces. Cross-linking and crossbridging are distinguished by the bonds that hold the structural components together. Cross-linking implies a covalent association, whereas cross-bri Read More

Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) is a newly discovered gastrointestinal peptide with 33% sequence homology to glucagon. GLP-2 has attracted interest because of its potent intestinotrophic endocrine / paracrine actions. The peptide, consisting of 33-amino-acid, results from expression of the glucagon gene in the enteroendocrine L-cells of the intestinal mucosa, from where it is released mainly in response to luminal conta Read More