Regular Article
UCP3: An Uncoupling Protein Homologue Expressed Preferentially and Abundantly in Skeletal Muscle and Brown Adipose Tissue

https://doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.1997.6740Get rights and content

Abstract

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are inner mitochondrial membrane transporters which dissipate the proton gradient, releasing stored energy as heat. UCP1 is expressed exclusively in brown adipocytes while UCP2 is expressed widely. We now report the molecular cloning of a third uncoupling protein homologue, designated UCP3. At the amino acid level, hUCP3 is 71% identical to hUCP2 and 57% identical to hUCP1. UCP3 is distinguished from UCP1 and UCP2 by its abundant and preferential expression in skeletal muscle in humans, and brown adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in rodents. Since skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue are believed to be important sites for regulated energy expenditure in humans and rodents, respectively, UCP3 may be an important mediator of adaptive thermogenesis. Since UCP3 is minimally expressed in human heart and other critical organs, it is a promising target for anti-obesity drug development aimed at increasing thermogenesis.

References (23)

  • M. Klingenberg

    Trends Biochem. Sci.

    (1990)
  • C.S. Lin et al.

    FEBS Lett.

    (1980)
  • A. Jacobsson et al.

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1985)
  • F. Bouillaud et al.

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1986)
  • J. Himms-Hagen

    Prog. Lipid Res.

    (1989)
  • S. Klaus et al.

    Int. J. Biochem.

    (1991)
  • E. Ravussin et al.

    Am. J. Clin. Nutr.

    (1992)
  • J. Kyte et al.

    J. Mol. Biol.

    (1982)
  • D.G. Nicholls et al.

    Physiol. Rev.

    (1984)
  • N.J. Rothwell et al.

    Nature

    (1979)
  • S.L. Brooks et al.

    Nature

    (1980)
  • Cited by (691)

    • Mitochondrial proton leaks and uncoupling proteins

      2021, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Bioenergetics
    View all citing articles on Scopus
    1

    These three authors contributed equally to this work.

    2

    To whom correspondence should be addressed at Division of Endocrinology, RN-320, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215. Fax: (617) 667-2927. E-mail: blo [email protected].

    View full text