Dimeric β-turn peptidomimetics as ligands for the neurotrophin receptor TrkC

Twelve dimeric peptidomimetics 1 were prepared via a divergent–convergent strategy. These peptidomimetics incorporated the same amino acids as i+1 and i+2 residues in key β-turns of the neurotrophin NT-3. Cytosensor microphysiometry was used to gauge the effects of the dimers 1 on cells that overexpress the NT-3 receptor, TrkC. Increases in extracellular acidification rates were observed for some monomers 3, but the active dimers gave greater effects.