Adipotide

Adipotide is a proapoptotic peptide-drug conjugate designed for targeted destruction of adipose tissue vasculature. It works on a principle called vascular targeting: it seeks out blood vessels supplying white adipose tissue by binding to prohibitin, a receptor expressed on the endothelium of fat-feeding blood vessels, then induces apoptosis in those endothelial cells in research models. Without blood supply, the adipocytes die -- a mechanism distinct from all other approaches to fat reduction research.

The compound was developed by researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center led by Renata Pasqualini and Wadih Arap. It consists of the targeting peptide CKGGRAKDC conjugated to a pro-apoptotic domain (GG-D(KLAKLAK)2). The CKGGRAKDC sequence was identified from phage display screens for peptides that home specifically to white adipose tissue vasculature in vivo. In obese rhesus monkeys, Adipotide produced rapid and significant adipose-marker reduction, reduced body weight, and improved insulin sensitivity -- with organ function markers remaining normal. The specificity for adipose vasculature appeared selective compared to vasculature in other tissues.

Research with Adipotide addresses a fundamental question in obesity biology: what happens when adipose tissue vasculature is targeted specifically? The answer in primate models was dramatic fat reduction, but the mechanism also creates questions about how the body responds to sudden loss of adipose tissue and what longer-term effects might emerge from selective fat vasculature destruction.

Specifications

Storage

Store at -20°C before reconstitution. Refrigerate at 2-8°C after reconstitution and use within 14 days. Adipotide contains a peptide-drug conjugate -- handle consistently with peptide storage guidelines.

Adipotide is supplied for laboratory research use only. Not approved for human use. Handle in compliance with institutional biosafety guidelines.