Stanford scientists discover "natural Ozempic" without side effects
a day ago
- #obesity treatment
- #computational drug discovery
- #bioactive peptides
- Researchers used computational drug discovery to map over 2,600 uncharacterized human proteolytic peptide fragments cleaved by prohormone convertases.
- A novel 12-mer peptide, BRINP2-related peptide (BRP), was identified and shown to reduce food intake and produce anti-obesity effects in mice and pigs without causing nausea or aversion.
- Mechanistically, BRP triggers central FOS activation and acts independently of leptin, GLP-1 receptor, and melanocortin 4 receptor pathways.
- The study introduces a method for discovering new bioactive peptides and suggests BRP as a potential therapeutic for modulating body weight.