Claims for Patent: 6,133,418

Summary for Patent: 6,133,418

Title:	Synthetic peptide inhibitors of HIV transmission
Abstract:	The present invention relates to peptides which exhibit potent anti-retroviral activity. The peptides of the invention comprise DP-178 (SEQ ID:1) ptide corresponding to amino acids 638 to 673 of the HIV-1.sub.LAI gp41 protein, and fragments, analogs and homologs of DP-178. The invention further relates to the uses of such peptides as inhibitory of human and non-human retroviral, especially HIV, transmission to uninfected cells.
Inventor(s):	Bolognesi; Dani Paul (Durham, NC), Matthews; Thomas James (Durham, NC), Wild; Carl T. (Durham, NC)
Assignee:	Duke University (Durham, NC)
Application Number:	08/554,616
Patent Claims:	1. A peptide having the formula in which amino acid residues are presented by the single-letter code wherein: X is an amino group, an acetyl group, a 9-fluorenylmethoxy-carbonyl group, or a hydrophobic group; and Z is a carboxyl group, an amido group, or a hydrophobic group. 2. A peptide having the formula in which amino acid residues are presented by the single-letter code wherein: X is an acetyl group; and Z is an amido group. 3. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of the peptide of claim 2 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.