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Obesity

Category: Obesity (II) (Poster Session)

Obesity (II) (Poster Session)

(P28-28-26) Targeted Inhibition of Methionine Aminopeptidase 2: A Novel Strategy for Anti-Obesity Therapy

Sunday, July 26, 2026
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ET
Location: Poster Board D-79

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Hazera Binte Sufian, MS

    Graduate Teaching Assistant
    Texas Tech University
    Lubbock, Texas, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Vijay Hegde, PhD

    Associate Professor
    Texas Tech University
    Lubbock, Texas, United States

  • BD

    Bhaskar Das

    University at Buffalo, New York, United States

Disclosure(s):
Hazera Binte Sufian, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder marked by excessive fat accumulation and rising global prevalence. Although GLP-1 receptor agonists promote weight loss, concerns remain about their long-term safety and efficacy. Methionine Aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2), which regulates lipid metabolism, angiogenesis, and adipocyte differentiation, may be a promising target for obesity prevention and treatment.

This study evaluates BT1201, a novel MetAP2-selective inhibitor, for its effects on adipogenesis and metabolic regulation. We examined both preventive (treatment at the initiation of differentiation) and therapeutic (treatment after induction of adipogenesis) approaches. We hypothesize that MetAP2 inhibition will reduce lipid accumulation while maintaining glucose metabolism.

Methods: Murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated using insulin, dexamethasone, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). BT1201 was introduced either at the start of differentiation (preventive) or after lipid accumulation (therapeutic). Cells were treated every two days for eight days with BT1201 (150 or 200 µM) or vehicle. Lipid accumulation was measured by Oil Red O staining, adipogenic markers by gene expression and protein analysis, and cellular glucose uptake using a glucose uptake assay.

Results: BT1201 reduced lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Early treatment strongly suppressed adipogenic gene and protein expression, indicating preventive effects on adipogenesis. When applied after adipogenesis began, BT1201 still reduced lipid deposition, altered adipogenic gene expression, and maintained glucose metabolism, demonstrating therapeutic potential against adipocyte hypertrophy and obesity.

Conclusions: Selective inhibition of MetAP2 with BT1201 shows both preventive and therapeutic potential against adipose tissue expansion. These results support further evaluation of BT1201 as a candidate for anti-obesity therapy in preclinical models.

Funding Sources: N/A