Beta taipoxin as a cell growth factor and method

Abstract

A peptide containing a sequence for the first fifteen amino acids from the N-terminal of Asn-Leu-Val-Glu-Phe-Gly-Lys-Met-Ile-Glu-Cys-Ala-Ile-Arg-Asn is used in a cell culture medium to promote cell growth in vitro and in the treatment of wounds. A method of preparation of the peptide is also claimed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A culture medium characterized by the presence of a peptide containing a sequence for the first fifteen amino acids from the N-terminal of Asn-Leu-Val-Glu-Phe-Gly-Lys-Met-Ile-Glu-Cys-Ala-Ile-Arg-Asn identified in SEQ ID No: 1.  
     
     
         2 . A culture medium as in  claim 1  further characterized in that the peptide comprises beta taipoxin obtained from snake venom.  
     
     
         3 . A culture medium as in  claim 2  further characterized in that the beta taipoxin is obtained from the species  Oxyuranus s. scutellatus , an Australian taipan snake.  
     
     
         4 . A culture medium as in  claim 3 , further characterized by the absence of serum.  
     
     
         5 . A culture medium as in  claim 4  further characterized in that the beta taipoxin has a molecular weight of about 14,000 daltons and is present at a concentration in the range of from about 0.1 μg/ml to about 1 μg/ml.  
     
     
         6 . A method for cultivating various types of eukaryotic cells, said method comprising providing a cell culture medium; 
 placing cells in the cell culture medium; and    cultivating said cells,    characterized in that the cell culture medium contains a peptide containing a sequence for the first fifteen amino acids from the N-terminal of Asn-Leu-Val-Glu-Phe-Gly-Lys-Met-Ile-Glu-Cys-Ala-Ile-Arg-Asn identified in SEQ ID No: 1.    
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 6  is further characterized in that the cell culture medium is serum free and the peptide comprises beta taipoxin at a concentration in the range of 0.1 μg/ml to 1 μg/ml.