Adipotide
Stocked in 2ml, 5ml, 10mg at MontanaPep in Great Falls, Montana. Sold for laboratory research use only.
| Size | Catalog no. | Price per vial |
|---|---|---|
| 2ml | AP2 | $30 |
| 5ml | AP5 | $50 |
| 10mg | AP10 | $80 |
Classification
Chimeric proapoptotic peptidomimetic; development discontinued over kidney toxicity
Structure and chemistry
Adipotide, also called FTPP (fat-targeted proapoptotic peptide) or prohibitin-targeting peptide 1, has the sequence CKGGRAKDC-GG-D(KLAKLAK)2. It is a two-part chimeric molecule: a cyclic homing domain that recognizes receptors on the blood vessels feeding white fat, joined by a glycine-glycine linker to a D-amino-acid proapoptotic domain that destroys mitochondrial membranes. The D(KLAKLAK)2 payload is a well-characterized cell-killing sequence used in other targeted therapies.
What the published research shows
Adipotide has genuinely strong preclinical data, including one of the best nonhuman primate studies of any compound in this catalog — and it also has the clearest reason for stopping. The 2011 rhesus macaque study produced striking results, alongside dose-dependent kidney findings. A Phase 1 human trial was terminated, and clinical development was discontinued.
Mechanism of action
A targeted vascular-disrupting approach rather than a metabolic one. The homing domain binds prohibitin and annexin A2, proteins unusually abundant on the luminal surface of blood vessels supplying white adipose tissue. Once bound and internalized, the D(KLAKLAK)2 domain disrupts mitochondrial membranes and triggers apoptosis in those endothelial cells, cutting off the blood supply and causing the fat depot to resorb. The strategy is borrowed from tumour vascular targeting — starve the tissue rather than alter its metabolism.
Development history
Developed by Wadih Arap, Renata Pasqualini and Mikhail G. Kolonin, working at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the UT Health Science Center at Houston, using a vascular “zip code” screening method the group had built to identify peptides binding tissue-specific vascular markers. It was licensed to Arrowhead Research Corporation, now Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, for clinical development.
Current regulatory status
Adipotide is not approved by any regulator. Its Phase 1 human trial (NCT01262664) was terminated, and as of 2019 clinical development had been discontinued, with dose-limiting kidney toxicity the reported obstacle. This is important context: the compound was not abandoned for lack of effect — it worked in primates — but because of a toxicity ceiling that has not been solved.
Analytical testing
Two structural features need verification beyond a purity figure. The homing domain is cyclic, formed by a disulfide bond between its two cysteines — a linear version would not home correctly. The apoptotic domain is built from D-amino acids, and D/L configuration is not resolved by HPLC purity. Mass spectrometry against a certified reference standard, with confirmation of cyclization, is the minimum meaningful identity test.
Ordering from Great Falls
MontanaPep, also known as Montana Peptides, is an independently owned supplier based at 715 13th Ave S, Great Falls, Montana. Local pickup is available by arrangement, and we ship to research addresses across Montana including Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Butte, Kalispell and Havre. Call (406) 799-0812 or email customerservice@montanapep.com.