Hepatocyte Growth Factor Mimics as Therapeutic Agents

Abstract

Small molecule, peptidic hepatocyte growth factors mimics, which act as both mimetics and antagonists, have been generated. These molecules have been shown or predicted to have therapeutic potential for numerous pathologies including dementia, neurodegenerative disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, cancer, and defective wound healing.

1 . A hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mimic having the general formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where
 R 1  is a norleucine group; 
 R 2  is an amino acid selected from the group selected from the group consisting of tyrosine, phenylalanine, aspartic acid, arginine, isoleucine, serine, histidine, glycine, cysteine, methionine, tryptophan, lysine and valine; 
 R 3  is isoleucine; and 
 n ranges from 3-6; 
 
       and wherein covalent bonds 1, 2 and 3 are selected from the group consisting of peptide bonds or reduced peptide bonds. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The HGF mimic of  claim 1  wherein the norleucine group is D norleucine. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The HGF mimic of  claim 1  wherein R2 is cysteine. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A composition, comprising:
 at least one hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mimic having the general formula:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where
 R 1  is a norleucine group; 
 R 2  is an amino acid selected from the group selected from the group consisting of tyrosine, phenylalanine, aspartic acid, arginine, isoleucine, serine, histidine, glycine, cysteine, methionine, tryptophan, lysine and valine; 
 R 3  is isoleucine; and 
 n ranges from 3-6; 
 and wherein covalent bonds 1, 2 and 3 are selected from the group consisting of peptide bonds or reduced peptide bonds; and 
 a carrier, said HGF mimic being dissolved or distributed in said carrier. 
 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one other bioactive agent different from said at least one HGF mimic. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein said at least on other bioactive agent is selected from the group consisting of anti-depressants, psychoactive drugs, and analgesics. 
     
     
         10 - 24 . (canceled)