The present invention relates to
peptide conjugates that comprise a
plant-derived
oligopeptide capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and a therapeutic or
diagnostic agent. The BBB-penetrating
oligopeptide is an
oligopeptide according to Formula I, Asp–R2–Gly–Leu–R5–R6–R7–Leu–Gly–R10–R11–R12, wherein R2 represents Arg, Lys, Cyt, D-Arg or Orn; R5 represents Phe, Arg, Lys, His, Trp, Tyr, D-Tyr, D-Phe, Orn, 4-aminophenylalanine or 3-phenylpropionate; R6 represents Pro, Leu, Glu or Lys; R7 represents Phe or Trp; R10, R11 and R12 each independently represent Lys, Arg or Orn; or an oligopeptide according to Formula II, Glu–R2'–R3'–Gly–R5'–R6'–Glu–R8'–R9'–R10'–Glu–R12'–Leu–Pro–Gly, wherein R2', R3', R8', R10' and R12' each independently represent Lys, Arg or Orn; R5' represents Phe, Ile, Arg, Lys, His, Trp, Tyr, D-Tyr, D-Phe, 4-aminophenylalanine, or 3-phenylpropionate; R6' represents Met, Leu, Ile, Asn, norleucin, D-norleucin, seleno-
methionine or D / L-2-hydroxy-(4-methylseleno)butanoic acid; and R9' represents Leu or Ile. The conjugates comprising a BBB-penetrating oligopeptide compound and a therapeutic agent can be used in treatments for diseases of the
central nervous system (CNS). Furthermore, conjugates with a BBB-penetrating oligopeptide compound and a
diagnostic agent can be used in both
in vivo and
in vitro diagnostic methods.