Therapeutic peptides and peptidomimetics

Peptidomimetics are one set of probes used in the transition pathway of small molecule drug design. Cyclization of the peptide backbone and its modification with aromatic residues constitutes an effective approach to mimetic drug design and circumvents obstacles associated with delivery and formulation of peptides and peptidomimetics. In the past year, examples of mimicking beta-turn structures has led to combining design strategies with molecular libraries, demonstrating that peptidomimetics can provide valuable clues about receptor similarities not revealed by their endogenous ligands. This information can lead to the development of dual inhibitors. In addition, this work suggests that the use of libraries and rational design need not be mutually exclusive approaches to lead discovery.