Introduction

In the post-genomic era, scientists have shifted their research focus from genomic studies onto functional proteomics. The proteomics studies the structure and composition of cellular proteins, protein-protein interactions, and their relation to disease pathogenesis; however, the interaction of protein with other biomacromolecules such as other proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides is the critical part. Many technologies have been developed to investigate this relationship, among which peptide array is one of key and top-notched techniques.

Pegasus has established an independent Peptide Array platform including PEP-OVERLAP, PEP-REPLACE and PEP-HIT technologies. As a high throughput research tool, peptide array is one of novel biochips, on which hundreds and thousands of specially designed peptides are synthesized in situ on specially processed matrix (i.e., glass or filter paper, etc) in a high density by automatic robots. Using this bio-chip, scientists can directly unravel the secrets of protein-protein interactions.

The Major Features of Peptide Array:

1. High-Density and High Throughput
2. High Specificity
3. Low Cost, Rapidity and Easy Operability
4. Accuracy, Visibility and Easy Analysis

PEP-OVERLAP platform makes possible for overlapping peptides from any protein sequence and designing peptide array for a simple approach to mapping epitopes. According to the amino acid sequence of known protein, short peptide fragments, of which two consecutive peptides differ by 1 or 2 AA frameshift, are synthesized and then react with target proteins (such as serum, urine and any specific proteins ) so as to elucidate the binding sites of known protein (such as the epitopes of an antigen) to target proteins.

PEP-REPLACE platform enables researchers to mutate the amino acid easily at any sites, by which the critical amino acids for protein-protein interaction can be rapidly mapped in comparison with the conventional labor-intense and time-consuming mutagenesis.

PEP-HIT platform is a powerful tool for identification of ligands which specifically recognize your target of interest through proprietary PEP-HIT data analysis software and high-throughput screening our proprietary epitomic peptide library. Using a complicated mathematic algorithm, the Pep-Hit platform will design best-fit peptides for any given protein sequence. These best-fit peptides will serve as either agonists or antagonists and make them perfect for drug candidates and speed up subsequent drug development.

Peptide array technology has been considered as a cutting-edge proteomics technology in the post-genomic era and technically competitive with spot detection technology such as gene chip and protein chip. It has been widely recognized as a prospective approach in vaccines, drugs, diagnostic kits research and development.

Products Developed on the PEP-HIT Platform

GenoVax Biotech Coorpration, a Pegasus wholly owned subsidiary organization, has been successfully applied this proprietary Peptide Array Technology in the field of basic and translational studies, vaccines, diagnostic kits and peptide drugs development.

Currently, several promising peptide vaccines and drug candidates are on the track of development. Pegasus now has discovered a few of peptide candidate drugs such as HIV-RT inhibitor to suppress HIV replication, Carboxypeptidase R inhibitor for cerebral thrombosis, Tau inhibitor to arrest its polymerization for Alzheimer’s disease, p-GP inhibitor to reverse multi-drug resistance in cancer, C5a Inhibitor to alleviate inflammation and sepsis, Peptide antibiotics discovery, peptide antidody drug for breast cancer, peptide tyrosinase inhibitors and peptide antagonists for neurosecretory terminals.

1. Recognition of SARS-Specific Epitopes:

The SARS epitopes was first found and patented in the world by our scientists Drs. Campbell and Jia, and these epitopes can be used for the development of SARS diagnostic kit and vaccines.

2. Peptide Inhibitor for HIV Reverse Transcriptase:

Several peptide inhibitors for HIV reverse transcriptase have been found in Genovax, and can be developed into candidate drugs for clinical trials. These peptides can also be integrated into blood stem cells for high expression in blood to combat HIV replication.

3. Peptide Inhibitor for P-Glycoprotein:

P-glycoprotein is one of major mechanisms of tumor multidrug resistance. Using Pep-Hit technology, a proteolytically-resistant peptide was uncovered and can become a promising candidate drug for the reversal of multidrug resistance.

4. Peptide binding to Tau protein:

Polymerization of Tau protein is closely involved in the development of Alzheimer disease and other age-related diseases. A peptide has been found to be able to bind Tau protein to inhibit the latter’s polymerization.

5. Carboxypeptidase R Inhibitor:

Carboxypeptidase R plays a critical role in coagulation and fibrinolysis. A specially designed peptide was constructed by Genovax and able to inhibit this enzyme and greatly enhance the efficacy of tissue plasminogen activator.

6. C5a Inhibitor:

Complement C5a is involved in inflammation and sepsis, a designed peptide is capable of inhibiting C5a to alleviate inflammation and sepsis.