Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) receptor (VPAC2) agonist

Abstract

This invention provides novel peptide that function in vivo as agonists of the VPAC2 receptor. These insulin secretagogue polypeptide are shown to lower blood glucose in vivo more than controls upon glucose challenge. The polypeptide of this invention are also stable in formulation and have long half-lives. The peptide of the present invention provide a new therapy for patients with decreased endogenous insulin secretion. in particular type2 diabetics. In particular the invention is a polypeptide selected from a specific group of VPAC2-related polypeptides, of functional equivalents thereof. The invention is also directed to a method of treating a metabolic disease in a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the insulin secretagogue peptides to said mammal.