What is the UCP1 gene?

The uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) gene is located in chromosome 4 of the human genome and is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of CMDs due to its major role in thermogenesis and energy metabolism (Golozoubova et al., 2001; Mattson, 2010).

Why is UCP1 important?

UCP1 has a well-demonstrated uncoupling activity and an essential role in maintenance of body temperature in small rodents exposed to the cold, but the exact biochemical and physiological roles of UCP2 and UCP3 remain to be further identified.

What is UCP1 expression?

High UCP1 expression is associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. The UCP1 deficiency elevates adipose stearoyl-CoA desaturase gene expression, and increased inguinal WAT lipolysis supports the transport of adipose-derived palmitoleate (16:1n7) to the liver and hepatic triglyceride accumulation.

What induces UCP1 expression?

Nrf2 induces Ucp1 expression in adipocytes in response to β3-AR stimulation and enhances oxygen consumption in high-fat diet-fed obese mice.

What effect does UCP1 have on ATP production?

UCP1 is a Respiration Uncoupler, Shunting the Normal Proton Circuit and is Physiologically Regulated. , or the so-called proton-motive force Δp, is used to drive ATP synthesis by ATP-synthase. The proton gradient slows respiratory chain activity and facilitates ATP synthesis.

What do UCP1 proteins do at the cellular level?

Uncoupling protein (UCP1) is a mitochondrial protein that uncouples mitochondrial respiration from ATP synthesis, resulting in heat production (Townsend and Tseng, 2014).

How many amino acids are in UCP1?

They are composed of three ~100-amino acid homologous domains, each comprising two transmembrane α-helices separated by a loop and small α-helix on the matrix side [41].

Where is UCP1 located?

brown adipose tissue
Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is an integral membrane protein found in the mitochondrial inner membrane of brown adipose tissue, and facilitates the process of non-shivering thermogenesis in mammals.

How is UCP1 activated?

UCP1 is activated by long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) that are produced within brown adipocytes by the lipolysis of cytoplasmic lipid droplets upon adrenergic stimulation of BAT (Cannon and Nedergaard, 2004).

How does UCP1 generate heat?

Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is responsible for nonshivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Upon activation by long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs), UCP1 increases the conductance of the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) to make BAT mitochondria generate heat rather than ATP.

How do I activate my UCP1?

What happens if UCP1 is activated?

Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), originally termed thermogenin owing to its role in non-shivering thermogenesis (NST), resides within the inner mitochondrial membrane. When activated, UCP1 permits significant inner membrane proton conductance, uncoupling mitochondrial fuel oxidation and respiration from ATP production.