Synthetic peptides derivatives with nerve growth factor-like neurotrophic activity

摘要

This invention provides compounds displaying NGF agonist activity, wherein the compounds comprise a multimer of a sequence of amino acid residues or biologically functional equivalents thereof, the sequence being substantially homologous to residues 29-38 of NGF, residues 43-47 of NGF or residues 92-97 of NGF. Preferably, the multimer is a cyclic dimer wherein the monomeric amino acid sequences are linked to each other by disulfide bridges. This invention also provides methods and compositions for the treatment of disorders involving NGF-responsive cells, by administering an effective amount of the multimeric NGF agonists of this invention to an individual suffering from such disorder.