ABSTRACT
Aim Through identification of the difunc-tionality of neuroprotection and passage of blood-brain barrier ( BBB) for RDP-BDNF fusion protein to offer a new strategy to treat brain diseases. Methods BDNF was conjugated to a novel cell penetrating peptide known as RDP which was derived from rabies virus gly-coprotein ( RVG) . The fusion protein RDP-BDNF was expressed in E. coli BL21 ( DE3 ) . After the intrave-nous injection of RDP-BDNF, the time effect curve of RDP-BDNF in the brains and serum was examined. Additionally , Morris water maze test was used to evalu-ate the effect of RDP-BDNF on scopolamine-induced amnesic mice, and the mechanism was also studied. Results RDP-BDNF could cross the BBB and exhibi-ted neuroprotective effects on the treatment of cognitive deficit induced by scopolamine in dementia model mice. Conclusions Delivery of protein therapeutics using RDP might offer a new and exciting strategy to treat brain diseases.