| Peptides that enhance acetylcholinesterase expression |
| This invention uses peptides based on the amino terminal domain of the acetylcholinesterase (AChe) subunits ColQ and PRiMA together with an endoplasmic reticulum localization signal. When these peptides are administered to tissue cultured cells the expression of AChe is enhanced several fold potentially neutralizing the toxic effect of nerve gas and pesticide poisoning. |
| There are close to 2 million acute pesticide poisonings reported per year with over 50,000 resulting in deaths. Furthermore, the risk of terrorist poisoning is increasing continually. An injectable peptide that can increase endogenous AChe levels is a potential therapy for nerve agent exposure of both military and civilian populations that has far reaching commercial and societal importance. |
| This is the only method that neutralizes toxic effects of nerve gas and pesticides by increasing levels of a naturally occurring enzyme. Furthermore, this is the only approach that can be used preventively, thus increasing the chance of survival of first responders. |
| Richard L. Rotundo and Carlos A. Ruiz |
