Soluble cyclic analogues of beta amyloid peptide

Abstract

The invention concerns a peptide having the biological activity of an inhibitor of amyloid formation and its diagnostic and medical use.

1 . Antibody which is specific to a peptide which is a cyclic analog of β-amyloid peptide (β-AP) and is selected from the group consisting of peptides with amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 2 to SEQ ID NO: 19, wherein the cyclic analog of β-amyloid peptide has at least one intramolecular bridge formed by covalent bonded side chains of at least two amino acids within the peptide sequence (bridge forming amino acids). 
     
     
         2 . Antibody according to  claim 1  which is monoclonal. 
     
     
         3 . Antibody according to  claim 1  which is polyclonal. 
     
     
         4 . Antibody according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the peptide is an inhibitor of amyloidogenesis. 
     
     
         5 . Antibody according to  claim 1 , in which the side chains of the bridge forming amino acids of the peptide are linked together directly or are linked through a spacer which is an aminocarboxy, diamino or dicarboxy compound. 
     
     
         6 . Antibody according to  claim 1 , in which the amino acids which participate in bridge formation in the peptide are the amino acids which occur naturally at the bridge formation positions of the peptide. 
     
     
         7 . Antibody according to  claim 1 , in which at least one of the bridge forming amino acids which participate in bridge formation of the peptide does not occur naturally at this position. 
     
     
         8 . Antibody according to  claim 1 , in which the peptide further comprises at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, functionalized alkyl group, aromatic group, oligopeptide, polypeptide, glyco group and lipid group. 
     
     
         9 . Antibody according to  claim 1  having a detection marker. 
     
     
         10 . Antibody according to  claim 9  in which the antibody is monoclonal. 
     
     
         11 . Antibody according to  claim 9  in which the antibody is polyclonal. 
     
     
         12 . Antibody according to  claim 9 , in which the detection marker is a radioactive label, a fluorescent label, an enzyme label, a luminescence label or a spin label. 
     
     
         13 . A process for the detection of amyloidogenic β-AP or aggregates of it, comprising bringing an antibody according to  claim 9 , as a probe, into contact with a sample to be examined and binding of the antibody to amyloidogenic β-AP peptides or their aggregates which are possibly present is detected. 
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 13 , in which the sample is a body fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 13 , in which the detection marker is a radioactive label, a fluorescent label, an enzyme label, a luminescence label or a spin label. 
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 15 , in which the antibody is monoclonal. 
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 15 , in which the antibody is polyclonal. 
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 13 , in which the antibody is monoclonal. 
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 13 , in which the antibody is polyclonal. 
     
     
         20 . In a method of producing a medication for prophylaxis or treatment of diseases characterized by amyloid formation, or both, in which an antibody is employed, utilizing an antibody according to  claim 1  as the antibody.