BIFUNCTIONAL FUSION PROTEINS OF THE ALPHA-MELANOCYTE STIMULATING HORMONE (ALPHA-MSH) AND ATRIAL NATRIURETIC PROTEIN (ANP) AND USES IN HYPERTENSION AND ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY

摘要

A bifunctional hormone exhibiting an alpha-MSH activity and a natriuretic peptide activity is described. The bifunctional hormone comprises for examp le a first domain having alpha-MSH related hormonal activity covalently link ed to a second domain having natriuretic peptide related hormonal activity. The bifunctional hormone of the present invention is useful for example for the prevention and/or treatment of renal related diseases or conditions, suc h as acute renal failure (ARF) or acute kidney injury (AKI).