Adipotide (2mg)
Adipotide (FTPP, fat-targeted pro-apoptotic peptide) is a synthetic peptidomimetic engineered to bind prohibitin on the surface of adipose-tissue vasculature and trigger localized apoptosis of fat-feeding blood vessels—studied in preclinical models of obesity and metabolic disease.
The Science
What is Adipotide?
Adipotide is a chimeric peptidomimetic that links a peptide homing motif (CKGGRAKDC) targeting prohibitin on adipose endothelial cells with a pro-apoptotic D-amino-acid sequence (KLAKLAK)2 that disrupts mitochondrial membranes once internalized.
By selectively docking onto the vasculature that supplies white adipose tissue, Adipotide induces apoptosis of those endothelial cells, leading to local ischemia and resorption of fat depots in animal models without broadly destroying other tissues.
Original preclinical work in obese rhesus macaques and rodent obesity models reported substantial reductions in body weight and adiposity. Adipotide remains an investigational research compound; it is not approved for human use.
Laboratory Observations
Research-Observed Areas of Interest
Adipose Tissue Reduction
Preclinical studies in obese non-human primates and rodents report significant reductions in body weight, adiposity, and waist circumference following Adipotide administration.
Metabolic Parameter Improvement
Animal models have shown improvements in insulin sensitivity and metabolic markers paralleling the reduction in white adipose tissue.
Targeted Vascular Pharmacology Model
Adipotide serves as a research prototype for tissue-selective peptidomimetic delivery, demonstrating how vascular zip codes can be exploited for organ-specific drug action.
Mechanism of Action
How Adipotide Works
Adipotide acts through a two-step targeting and disruption mechanism focused on white adipose tissue vasculature:
Prohibitin-Targeted Vascular Homing
The CKGGRAKDC motif binds prohibitin, which is selectively displayed on the luminal surface of white-adipose endothelial cells, concentrating the peptide at fat-feeding microvessels rather than other tissues.
Mitochondrial Membrane Disruption
Once internalized, the (KLAKLAK)2 sequence destabilizes mitochondrial membranes in targeted endothelial cells, triggering apoptosis, microvascular pruning, and ischemic resorption of the surrounding adipocytes.
Selective Adipose Remodeling
Because the homing motif preferentially recognizes adipose vasculature, Adipotide is studied as a tool for selectively reducing white fat depots while sparing most other organ vasculature in preclinical models.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Adipotide different from GLP-1 weight-loss peptides?+
GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide or tirzepatide act on appetite, gastric emptying, and insulin signaling. Adipotide instead targets the blood supply of existing white adipose tissue, inducing local vascular apoptosis and fat resorption—a fundamentally different, vascular-based mechanism.
What is prohibitin and why is it relevant?+
Prohibitin is a membrane-associated scaffolding protein. On white adipose endothelial cells it is presented on the luminal surface in a way that allows selective recognition by the CKGGRAKDC peptide motif, providing Adipotide with its tissue specificity.
Has Adipotide been used in humans?+
Adipotide has not received regulatory approval and has not progressed through full human clinical development. Published data are predominantly from rodent and non-human primate research.
Research-Only Notice
Adipotide (2mg) is categorized by the FDA as for research-purposes-only. It is not intended for human consumption, diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. The information above summarizes effects observed in laboratory studies to date and is provided strictly for scientific and educational reference.