Mimetic peptides and their use in medicine

The present invention concerns the field of ion channels, and in particular relates to peptides which are suitable for use in the treatment of conditions where the L-type calcium channel (LTCC) density and function is altered. LTCCs are located on the membrane of all excitable cells and control the small voltage gradient across the plasma membrane by allowing the flow of Ca2+ ions down their electrochemical gradient. This Ca2+ flux is critical for numerous processes including cardiac action potential propagation, muscle contraction, Ca2+-dependent gene expression, synaptic efficacy, and cell survival by contributing to various signaling cascades. Reduction of the inward calcium current (I C a ) conducted through the LTCCs is seen in several diseases and medications to improve or restores impaired intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis are limited. The present invention reports mimetic peptides (MPs) that through a novel mechanism directly targets LTCCs and, by modulation of LTCC density and function, increases I C a . This invention supports a therapeutic role for MP to treat human diseases associated with altered cellular Ca2+ homeostasis