METHOD OF INHIBITING NEUROTROPHIN-RECEPTOR BINDING

摘要

The present invention relates to compositions which inhibit the binding of nerve growth factor to the p75<NTR> common neurotrophin receptor and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, the compound which inhibits binding of nerve growth factor to p75<NTR> comprises, particularly when bound to nerve growth factor, at least two of the following: (1) a first electronegative atom or functional group positioned to interact with Lys<34> of nerve growth factor; (2) a second electronegative atom or functional group positioned to interact with Lys<95> of nerve growth factor; (3) a third electronegative atom or functional group positioned to interact with Lys<88> of nerve growth factor; (4) a fourth electronegative atom or functional group positioned to interact with Lys<32> of nerve growth factor; and (5) a hydrophobic moiety which interacts with the hydrophobic region formed by Ile<31>, Phe<101> and Phe<86> of nerve growth factor.