Novel polypeptides

Abstract

The present invention relates to an isolated polypeptide comprising (a) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2; or (b) an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2, and to therapeutic treatments based thereon.

1 . An isolated polypeptide comprising (a) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2; or (b) an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         2 . An isolated polypeptide according to  claim 1 , consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         3 . An isolated polypeptide according to  claim 1 , wherein said polypeptide is modified at the N-terminal end with an acetyl moiety and at the C-terminal end with an amide moiety. 
     
     
         4 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an isolated polypeptide as defined in  claim 1  and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent. 
     
     
         5 . A method for the treatment of testosterone deficiency or a low testosterone-related disorder in a subject, said method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide of  claim 1  to said subject. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said low testosterone-related disorder is selected from the group consisting of erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, mood disturbances (including depression, irritability and feeling tired), loss of muscle size and strength, osteoporosis, increased body fat, difficulty with concentration, memory loss, and sleep difficulties. 
     
     
         7 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide of  claim 1 , consisting of the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6. 
     
     
         8 . An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 7 . 
     
     
         9 . A host cell comprising the expression vector of  claim 8 .