Skin or hair binding peptides

Abstract

The invention is directed to peptides. Specifically, the invention is directed to peptides which bind skin and do not bind hair. Alternatively, the invention is drawn to peptides which bind hair and do not bind skin.

1 . A skin binding peptide comprising: (a) any one of SEQ ID NOs. 1-24 or (b) an amino acid sequence having at least 50% sequence identity to any one sequence of SEQ ID NOs. 1-24, or a sequence cluster selected from the group consisting of APQQRPMXTXXX (SEQ ID NO. 25); PPWXXXL (SEQ ID NO. 26); XXTXLTS (SEQ ID NO. 27); XPPLLXL (SEQ ID NO. 28); SXPSGAX (SEQ ID NO. 29); XQATFXXNXXXX (SEQ ID NO. 30); VXTSQLXXXXXX (SEQ ID NO. 31); LXXXRMK (SEQ ID NO. 32), and HXXXYLT (SEQ ID NO. 33), wherein X represents any L-amino acid. 
     
     
         2 . The skin binding peptide according to  claim 1 , wherein the peptide has at least 90% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NOs. 1-24. 
     
     
         3 . The skin binding peptide according to  claim 1 , wherein the peptide has at least 95% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NOs. 1-24. 
     
     
         4 . The skin binding peptide according to  claim 1 , wherein the peptide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 15. 
     
     
         5 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The skin binding peptide according to  claim 1 , wherein the peptide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 25, 30 and 32. 
     
     
         11 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The skin binding peptide according to  claim 1 , wherein the peptide includes a C-C derivative. 
     
     
         14 . A composition comprising any one of the skin binding peptides according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 - 24 . (canceled)