Antischistosomal Polypeptide
360ip’s partner has discovered a living polypide membrane-binding short peptide with specific targeting and antischistosomal functions. The peptide fragment (ZL-4) was selected by a bacteriophage 12-peptide library from the pellicle of a schistosoma-tailed living schistosomula. The peptide fragment can be used to prepare antischistosomal compounds as well as produce targeting molecules used to perform specific binding with a schistosoma body membrane. The peptide fragment also has potential applications in the development of diagnostic tests for schistosomiasis.