NOVEL POTASSIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS AND USE THEREOF IN THE TREATMENT OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

摘要

Novel analogues of the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus toxin ShK, and their use as, for example, therapeutic agents for treating autoimmune diseases are disclosed. The analogues comprise a ShK toxin polypeptide and an N-terminal extension comprising an amino acid sequence according to formula (I): wherein X-4 is D, E or other negatively-charged amino acid or derivative thereof, X-3 is E, I, L, S, V, W or a tryptophan derivative, X-2 is any amino acid, X-1 is any amino acid, a is absent or a first additional moiety, and b is absent or a second additional moiety.