A newly identified brain-derived peptide, BRP, significantly reduces appetite and body weight in mice and pigs without causing nausea. This breakthrough uncovers a non-incretin pathway for appetite control, offering a promising, targeted approach for managing obesity and enhancing metabolic health.
March 2025 – Nature
Key takeaways
- Novel peptide curbs appetite naturally: Researchers identified a brain-derived peptide, BRP, that significantly reduces food intake in mice and pigs. Unlike incretin-based drugs, BRP works through a distinct, central mechanism and does not trigger aversive side effects like nausea, making it a promising alternative for appetite control and obesity treatment
- Independent of GLP-1 and leptin pathways: BRP suppresses appetite without relying on GLP-1 receptors, leptin signalling, or the melanocortin 4 receptor. This unique independence suggests BRP could be effective even in individuals with resistance to common weight-regulating hormones, widening its therapeutic potential for diverse metabolic conditions
- Triggers targeted brain activity: BRP activates specific brain regions involved in feeding behaviour, including the hypothalamus, via a Gαs-coupled GPCR and the CREB–FOS signalling pathway. This focused activation underscores its central role in appetite regulation and hints at precision targeting for future therapies aimed at energy balance
- Effective weight loss without adverse effects: Chronic BRP administration leads to significant fat loss and improved glucose and insulin tolerance in obese mice without altering lean mass or causing behavioural disruptions. Its ability to reverse obesity while maintaining physiological balance makes it a compelling candidate for long-term metabolic health strategies
Read the article at: Coassolo, Laetitia, et al. “Prohormone cleavage prediction uncovers a non-incretin anti-obesity peptide.” Nature, vol. 641, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08683-y.
