Abstract
The thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) is due to the activity of a mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP1). This protein allows the protons pumped by the respiratory chain to re-enter the matrix without ATP synthesis. Therefore respiration is dramatically increased and produces only heat. The discovery of genes showing strong similarities with the UCP1 gene and expressed in other tissues raised the possibility that these proteins participate in the proton leak observed in mitochondria, and therefore participate in the regulation of energy expenditure. The recombinant expression of UCP1, UCP2 and UCP3 in yeast allows the comparison of the coupling state of yeast mitochondria in the presence or absence of these proteins.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bouillaud, F. UCP1, UCP2 and UCP3: Are they true uncouplers of respiration?. Int J Obes 23 (Suppl 6), S19–S23 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0800938
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0800938