Disclosed are &bgr;-peptides and &bgr;-peptide conjugates that are capable of diffusing or otherwise being transported across the cell membranes of living cells. The &bgr;-peptides contain at least six &bgr;-amino acid residues, at leastsix of which are preferably &bgr;
3
-homoarginine residues. It has been found that when pharmacologically-active agents are conjugated to these types of &bgr;-peptides, the resulting conjugates (also disclosed herein) are also capable of diffusing or otherwise being transported across the cell membranes of living cells, including mammalian cells.
                            揭示了能够扩散或以其他方式被运输穿过活细胞细胞膜的β-肽和β-肽共轭物。这些β-肽包含至少六个β-
氨基酸残基,其中至少有六个是优选的β3-同型精
氨酸残基。已经发现,当药理活性剂与这些类型的β-肽结合时,所得到的共轭物(本文中也披露)也能够扩散或以其他方式被运输穿过活细胞细胞膜,包括哺乳动物细胞。