Amidated Dopamine Neuron Stimulating Peptides for CNS Dopaminergic Upregulation

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel proteins, referred to herein as amidated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) peptides (or “Amidated Dopamine Neuron Stimulating peptides (ADNS peptides)”), that are useful for treating brain diseases and injuries that result in dopaminergic deficiencies.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for promoting the survival and/or function of dopaminergic neurons, comprising administering a composition comprising at least one of the following peptides:
 (a) a purified Amidated Dopamine Neuron Stimulating peptide (ADNS peptide) comprising the amino acid sequence ERNRQAAAANPENSRGK-amide (SEQ ID NO: 2);   (b) a purified ADNS peptide comprising the amino acid sequence FPLPA-amide (SEQ ID NO: 3); and   (c) a purified ADNS peptide comprising the amino acid sequence PPEAPAEDRSL-amide (SEQ ID NO: 4).   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises a purified ADNS peptide comprising the amino acid sequence PPEAPAEDRSL-amide (SEQ ID NO: 4). 
     
     
         3 . A method for treating a brain disease or injury resulting in dopaminergic deficiencies, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising at least one of the following peptides:
 (a) a purified Amidated Dopamine Neuron Stimulating peptide (ADNS peptide) comprising the amino acid sequence ERNRQAAAANPENSRGK-amide (SEQ ID NO: 2);   (b) a purified ADNS peptide comprising the amino acid sequence FPLPA-amide (SEQ ID NO: 3); and   (c) a purified ADNS peptide comprising the amino acid sequence PPEAPAEDRSL-amide (SEQ ID NO: 4);   wherein said composition further comprises at least one of a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, excipient, and diluent.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the composition comprises a purified ADNS peptide comprising the amino acid sequence PPEAPAEDRSL-amide (SEQ ID NO: 4). 
     
     
         5 . A method of increasing levels of at least one of dopamine and a dopamine metabolite in a subject having damaged dopamine neurons comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising a purified peptide comprising the amino acid sequence PPEAPAEDRSL-amide and at least one of a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, excipient, and diluent. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the subject has late stage Parkinson's disease.