Peptides for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

A peptide or peptidomimetic of 8-20 amino acids, the peptide or peptidomimetic comprising the sequence X1-X2-X3-X4-Lys-Gly-Gln-X5-Thr-X6-X7 (SEQ ID NO:

• 1), wherein:
• X1 is an amino acid residue other than Met and His;
• X2 is absent or represents a stretch of two amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of:
• Arg-X8, wherein X8 is any amino acid residue, Asp-Met and Leu-Gln;
• X3 is selected from the group consisting of Phe, Tyr, His, Leu, Ala, Ser and NorVal;
• X4 is selected from Thr and Gln;
• X5 is selected from Val and Ser;
• X6 is a positively charged amino acid residue;
• and
• X7 is absent, or represents a positively charged amino acid residue, optionally conjugated with a label.

A method for treating Type 2 diabetes in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide or a peptidomimetic of 7-20 amino acids, the peptide or peptidomimetic comprising the sequence X1-X2-X3-X4-Lys-Gly-Gln-X5-Thr-X6-X7 (SEQ ID NO:

• 40), wherein:
• X1 is any amino acid residue;
• X2 is absent or represents a stretch of two amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of:
• Arg-X8, wherein X8 is any amino acid residue, Asp-Met and Leu-Gln;
• X3 is selected from the group consisting of Phe, Tyr, His, Leu, Ala, Ser and NorVal;
• X4 is selected from Thr and Gln;
• X5 is selected from Val and Ser;
• X6 is absent or selected from the group consisting of a positively charged amino acid residue, Ser and Val;
• and
• X7 is absent, or represents a positively charged amino acid residue, optionally conjugated with a label.