What Is Adipotide (FTPP / Prohibitin-TP01)? A Research Overview

Adipotide, also called FTPP or the prohibitin-targeting peptide (Prohibitin-TP01), is an experimental peptidomimetic studied in animal models for its targeting of the vasculature supplying white adipose tissue. It links a homing peptide to a pro-apoptotic sequence, so the molecule is directed toward fat-tissue blood vessels where it triggers programmed cell death of the endothelial cells. Adipotide is offered nowhere on this site and is discussed here for educational purposes only. It is an experimental research compound — not a supplement, a drug, or a weight-loss product, and not for human use.

Quick facts

• Class: targeted pro-apoptotic peptidomimetic (a homing peptide fused to a pro-apoptotic sequence).
• Molecular target: prohibitin (and the associated protein annexin A2) on the endothelium of white-adipose-tissue blood vessels.
• Research focus: adipose-vasculature research — the blood supply that feeds fat depots.
• Status: experimental; studied in rodents and non-human primates; documented toxicity concerns in those studies.

What is Adipotide?

Adipotide is a laboratory-designed peptidomimetic with the sequence CKGGRAKDC–GG–D(KLAKLAK)₂. It is built from two functional halves. The first half is a short “homing” peptide (CKGGRAKDC) that, in animal models, binds to prohibitin on the inner lining of blood vessels that supply white adipose tissue. The second half — the D(KLAKLAK)₂ segment — is a pro-apoptotic sequence that disrupts cell membranes and mitochondria once delivered inside a cell. By chemically tethering a targeting sequence to a cell-killing sequence, researchers designed a single molecule intended to concentrate its activity at adipose-tissue vasculature rather than acting throughout the body.

What does the research show?

The foundational work was reported by Kolonin and colleagues in Nature Medicine in 2004, where targeting a pro-apoptotic peptide to adipose vasculature was associated with ablation of white fat in mouse models. The most-cited follow-up was a 2011 study by Barnhart and colleagues in Science Translational Medicine, which evaluated Adipotide in spontaneously obese rhesus monkeys; treated animals showed measured decreases in average body weight and in imaged body-fat percentage over a 28-day dosing period compared with controls. Importantly, the same primate study documented effects on the kidney: the authors reported dose-dependent changes in renal proximal-tubule function in the treated animals, which they characterized as dose-dependent and reversible after the compound was discontinued. These findings are reported here as observations from animal experiments, not as outcomes that translate to humans. The compound’s clinical development was subsequently discontinued.

Mechanisms studied in the lab

• Prohibitin targeting: in animal studies, the homing portion binds prohibitin (and annexin A2) displayed on endothelial cells of white-adipose-tissue blood vessels.
• Apoptosis of adipose endothelial cells: once localized, the pro-apoptotic segment is associated with programmed death of those endothelial cells, which in animal models reduced the blood supply to fat depots.

Research status and safety

Adipotide is an experimental compound. The evidence base is limited to animal studies — rodents and non-human primates — and those studies documented toxicity concerns, most notably the renal proximal-tubule changes described above. There are no established human safety data supporting its use, and clinical development was discontinued. This material is provided strictly for research, educational, and reference purposes. Adipotide is not a dietary supplement, is not approved for human or veterinary use, and is not for human consumption. No dosing information is provided or implied. Bolt Peptide does not sell Adipotide.

Related research compounds

If you are researching peptides studied in metabolic and adipose-tissue contexts, browse our full research-peptide catalog. You may also find our overview of AOD-9604 — a different, separately studied fragment-based research peptide — useful as background reading.

FAQ

Is Adipotide a weight-loss drug? No. Adipotide is an experimental research peptide. The weight and fat changes referenced above were observed in animal studies; it is not an approved drug and makes no validated claims for people. It is not for human use.

Why does Adipotide research mention kidney effects? In the 2011 non-human-primate study, treated animals showed dose-dependent changes in renal proximal-tubule function, described by the authors as reversible after discontinuation. These are documented animal-study observations and a reason the compound is discussed soberly as experimental.

Does Bolt Peptide sell Adipotide? No. This article is educational only. Review what we do carry in our peptide catalog.

References

1. Kolonin MG, et al. Reversal of obesity by targeted ablation of adipose tissue. Nat Med. 2004.
2. Barnhart KF, et al. A peptidomimetic targeting white fat causes weight loss and improved insulin resistance in obese monkeys. Sci Transl Med. 2011.

For research use only. Adipotide is an experimental compound studied only in animals, with documented toxicity in those studies; not for human or veterinary use, not a supplement. Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.