AGENTS FOR TREATING HUMAN ILLNESSES BASED ON beta -CATENIN, AND THE PRODUCTION AND USE THEREOF

摘要

beta -catenin is a central molecule of the Wnt signal path. Increasing beta -catenin in the cell leads to the translocation in the cell nucleus and to the interaction with transcription factors of the LEF-1/TCF family. This can lead to colonic cancers and melenomas (oncogenic signal path). However, beta -catenin also interacts with the tumor-suppressor genes APC, conductin and E-cadherin which have a contrary effect on the cell (anti-oncogenic effect). The invention relates to peptides derived from LEF-1-/TCF-4-transcription factors and analogous molecules in the treatment of tumors, especially for treating colonic cancers and melanomas. These peptides and analogous molecules influence the interaction between beta -catenin and LEF-1/TCF. The invention can be used in the fields of pharmaceuticals and medicine. The invention essentially relates to peptides, said peptides comprising the parts of the LEF-1/TCF-4-transcription factors, and to the variants and mutations thereof. The peptides are preferably comprised of 10-40 amino acids from the N-terminal area of LEF-1 or TCF-4. The invention also relates to peptides or analogous molecules derived from the armadillo region of beta -catenin which were identified as interaction domains with LEF-1/TCF, APC, conductin and E-cadherin. These peptides or analogous molecules can likewise inhibit the interaction between beta -catenin and LEF-1/TCF, or in the case of APC or conductin, can increase the concentration of beta -catenin in the cell. These last molecules can be used in order to influence the formation of tissue and organs, for example, in order to promote hair growth.