Cruciality of Developing Anti-obesity Therapies

Obesity is a multifaceted disease influenced by genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. It is spreading globally and causes related complications such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, metabolic syndrome, etc. These complications not only reduce an individual's quality of life but also place a significant burden on the healthcare system. Additionally, obesity-related diseases lead to increased mortality and may significantly shorten life expectancy. Obesity is difficult to control through lifestyle changes alone. Effective anti-obesity therapies target underlying biological mechanisms to help regulate appetite, increase metabolism and improve energy expenditure. Given the multifactorial nature of obesity, Protheragen has established a dedicated obesity research team to develop targeted therapies for Hormones and Peptides, Receptors, Enzymes and Proteins, Metabolic Regulators, and Signaling Molecules, providing hope for long-term weight management and improving metabolic health.

Fig.1 Complications caused by obesity. (Cai, et al., 2023)

Precision Power: Targeting Enzymes and Proteins for Anti-obesity Breakthroughs!

The roles of enzymes and proteins in metabolic processes, appetite regulation, and energy homeostasis make them ideal targets for treating obesity. By understanding and manipulating these biomolecules, researchers are developing a variety of anti-obesity therapies that inhibit or activate specific proteins and enzymes associated with fat storage, metabolism, and appetite control. Compared to traditional therapies, targeted therapies offer more precise and effective solutions, potentially reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes. With years of research experience in the field of obesity, we target the following proteins and enzymes to develop safe and effective anti-obesity therapies.

We also target other enzymes and proteins to develop anti-obesity therapies, including but not limited to:

Our development process for anti-obesity therapeutics targeting enzymes and proteins is as follows:

• Target Validation

  We use methods such as genomic, proteomic, and bioinformatic analysis to identify potential targets and confirm their relevance and functionality through experimental validation. For example, knockdown or knockout experiments are performed in In Vitro Cell Models and In Vivo Animal Models to observe the phenotypic consequences of inhibiting or enhancing target activity. Biochemical assays and pathway analyses are used to determine the mechanistic rationale for targeting specific enzymes or proteins. In summary, ensuring the validation of the right target helps streamline the subsequent stages of therapeutic development and improve the efficacy and safety of anti-obesity therapies.

• Therapy Development

  Small Molecule Drug Development

  We use high throughput screening (HTS) technology to screen large chemical libraries to find potential small molecule "hits" that modulate target activity. We use knowledge from medicinal chemistry to structurally optimize the hit compounds to improve their potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic characteristics.

  Gene Therapy Development

  We use various gene editing technologies to modify or correct obesity genes. For example, silencing genes that promote fat accumulation or enhancing the expression of genes that increase energy expenditure. We use technologies such as viral vector gene delivery to ensure that the target gene is effectively and accurately delivered to the target cells or tissues.

  Cell Therapy Development

  By understanding the underlying mechanisms of these proteins, researchers develop targeted therapies that modify cellular responses to nutrients, enhance adipocyte function, and improve insulin sensitivity. Protein engineering enables precise alterations in the expression or activity of specific enzymes and proteins, offering promising avenues for developing effective treatments for obesity.

  Antibody Therapy Development

  After identifying potential protein targets, we isolate the target protein and analyze its three-dimensional structure to determine the specific region of the protein that the antibody effectively binds to. Antibody candidates are generated using techniques such as hybridoma technology or phage display libraries and screened in vitro and in vivo to assess their binding affinity, specificity, and neutralization capacity.

  Tissue Engineering Therapy

  Researchers develop environments that promote the growth and differentiation of healthy adipocytes or inhibit the formation of unhealthy, hypertrophic fat cells. One approach involves using scaffolds or matrices that incorporate growth factors and signaling molecules to direct the differentiation of stem cells into adipocytes with desired metabolic properties. Another strategy involves inhibiting enzymes, which are involved in the breakdown and storage of fats, or activating proteins like adiponectin, which enhances fatty acid oxidation and glucose utilization.

  Nanotherapy

  Due to their small size and unique physical properties, nanoparticles are engineered to deliver therapeutic agents directly to adipose tissue or specific cells within the tissue. By incorporating enzymes or proteins that regulate fat metabolism, such as lipase inhibitors or adiponectin agonists, into the nanoparticles, researchers develop targeted therapies that inhibit fat accumulation or enhance fatty acid oxidation.

• Preclinical Studies

  We start with in vitro experiments to assess the activity and target specificity of the therapy, whether it is a small molecule, antibody, or gene therapy, followed by in vivo testing in obese animal models such as diet-induced obese mice or transgenic rodents to assess the Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Safety, and more.

Workflow

Applications

• Targeting MetAP2, UCP, RXR, etc., to develop new obesity treatment drugs, which regulate metabolic pathways related to energy balance, reduce fat accumulation, enhance lipid metabolism, and ultimately help lose weight and improve metabolic health.
• Genes encoding enzymes and proteins related to obesity are encoded through precise gene editing tools to develop gene therapies for obesity treatment.
• Explore biomarkers associated with these enzymes and proteins to create diagnostic tools for early detection of obesity-related metabolic disorders, and achieve personalized treatment plans and preventive measures.

Advantages

• We use advanced technologies such as HTS and next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify and validate key enzymes and proteins associated with obesity and develop potential therapeutics based on them.
• Our integrated multi-omics platform covers genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, providing a holistic view of the molecular mechanisms of obesity and facilitating the development of highly specific and effective inhibitors or modulators.
• We provide comprehensive bioassays to validate the functionality of therapeutic candidates, such as measuring the bioactivity, binding efficiency, and metabolic impact of enzyme and protein inhibitors.

Our Services

We provide comprehensive analytical services to advance obesity-related research to meet the unique needs of our clients. Our team of experts uses cutting-edge methods and analytical tools to conduct in-depth studies and trials to explore the multifaceted issues of obesity, such as obesity causation analysis and obesity prediction services. We customize research protocols, data collection, and analytical services to ensure scientifically sound and actionable insights. Clients benefit from our collaborative approach that combines the latest scientific advances with personalized guidance to provide new insights into the development of therapies to address obesity. Our services include:

Publication Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Why focus on enzymes and proteins to develop anti-obesity therapeutics?

Enzymes and proteins are important regulators of metabolic pathways and physiological processes that regulate energy balance, fat storage, and appetite control. Targeting specific enzymes and proteins controls key biochemical cascades involved in lipid metabolism, lipogenesis, and thermogenesis, providing precise intervention points to reduce excess fat accumulation. For example, MetAP2 has been shown to affect lipid metabolism and nutrient absorption and are promising targets for the development of anti-obesity drugs.

What preclinical approaches are used to ensure the safety and efficacy of therapies targeting enzymes and proteins?

First, extensive in vitro studies are performed to analyze the biological functions of potential molecules on target enzymes and proteins. Then, preclinical trials are conducted using animal models to evaluate the therapeutic potential and pharmacokinetic properties of candidate therapies. These studies are designed to determine the optimal dose, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion profile of the therapy while evaluating its safety through toxicology assessments.

Protheragen uses cutting-edge science and unparalleled expertise to help you explore the future of obesity treatment. For more information on targeted enzyme and protein-related obesity therapy research, please feel free to contact us. Our team is ready to provide detailed insights and solutions on the latest advances in this field.

All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.

• Targeting Hormones and Peptides for Developing Anti-Obesity Therapeutics
• Targeting Metabolic Regulators for Developing Anti-Obesity Therapeutics
• Targeting Receptors for Developing Anti-Obesity Therapeutics
• Targeting Signaling Molecules for Developing Anti-Obesity Therapeutics