The 12-amino-acid BRP peptide (spheres are atoms and sticks are bonds) suppresses appetite and reduces weight gain in mice and pigs without causing nausea or food aversion. Photo provided by Katrin Svensson
A collaborative team of researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and the UC Berkeley Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology has identified a naturally occurring molecule similar to semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist sold as an anti-diabetic and weight-management medication under the Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus brand names.
The newly discovered molecule, BRP, acts through a separate but similar metabolic pathway to activate different neurons in the brain to suppress appetite and reduce body weight. The findings were reported last week in a Nature study led by Katrin Svensson, an assistant professor of pathology at Stanford University. UC Berkeley co-authors include Professor Andreas Stahl, the Ruth Okey Chair in Nutritional Science and Toxicology, and postdoctoral researcher Irene Liparulo.
“The receptors targeted by semaglutide are found in the brain but also in the gut, pancreas, and other tissues,” explained Svensson. “That’s why Ozempic has widespread effects, including slowing the movement of food through the digestive tract and lowering blood sugar levels. In contrast, BRP appears to act specifically in the hypothalamus, which controls appetite and metabolism.”
The researchers also found that BRP does not cause nausea, constipation, or significant loss of muscle mass, common side effects of semaglutide. BRP was also found to improve glucose and insulin tolerance.
Learn more about the research at Stanford Medicine, and read the full study online at Nature.
This news story was adapted from material published by the Stanford University School of Medicine.