Characterization of the porcine uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 (UCP2 & UCP3) and their localization to chromosome 9 p by somatic cell hybrids.

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are mitochondrial membrane transporters that are involved in thermogenesis. Heat is generated by dissipation of the proton gradient at the inner mitochondrial membrane, without coupling to any other energy consuming process. A cDNA library from porcine white adipose tissue was screened for clones encoding porcine uncoupling proteins 2 and 3. Ten independent clones were identified and both strands of selected clones were sequenced. Comparison of the sequences with their human homologues revealed an identity of about 87% at the nucleotide level and over 90% at the level of the putative amino acid sequence. Using the INRA hybrid panel, the porcine UCP2 and UCP3 genes were mapped to SSC 9 p21-p24. This localization is consistent with the assignment of human UCP2 and UCP3 to HSA 11q13.