USES OF ALPHA-CONOTOXIN PEPTIDES

摘要

the present invention relates to the use of alpha -conotoxin peptides having the general formula: Xaa1-Xaa2-Cys-Cys-Xaa3-Xaa4-Pro-Xaa5-Cys-Xaa6-Cys (SEQ ID NO.1) for treating disorders regulated at neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Such disorders include, but are not limited to, cardiovascular disorders, gastric motility disorders, urinary incontinence, nicotine addiction, mood disorders (such as bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, dysthymia and seasonal effective disorder) and small cell lung carcinoma, as well as the localization of small cell lung carcinoma. In this formula, Xaa1 is des-Xaa1, Tyr, mono-iodo-Tyr or di-iodo-Tyr, Xaa2 is any amino acid, Xaa3 is any amino acid, Xaa4 is any amino acid, Xaa5 is any amino acid and Xaa6 represents a peptide of 3-7 amino acids. Disulfide linkages exist between the first and third cysteines and the second and fourth cysteines. Pro may be replaced with hydroxy-Pro. The C-terminus may contain a hydroxyl or an amide group, preferably an amide group.