Erlanson-Albertsson Charlotte
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Lund, Sweden.
Nutr Neurosci. 2002 Feb;5(1):1-11. doi: 10.1080/10284150290007038.
Uncoupling proteins are inner mitochondrial membrane proteins, which dissipate the proton gradient, releasing the stored energy as heat. Five proteins have been cloned, named UCP1, UCP2, UCP3, UCP4 and UCP5/BMCP1. These proteins are structurally related but differ in tissue expression. UCP1 is expressed uniquely in the brown adipose tissue, while UCP2 is widely distributed, UCP3 is mainly restricted to skeletal muscle and UCP4 and UCP5/BMCP1 expressed in the brain. The properties and regulation of the uncoupling proteins and their exact function has been the focus of an intense research during recent years. This review briefly summarizes the actual knowledge of the properties and function of this new family of proteins. While UCP1 has a clear role in energy homeostasis, the newcomers UCP2-UCP5 may have more delicate physiological importance acting as free radical oxygen scavengers and in the regulation of ATP-dependent processes, such as secretion.
解偶联蛋白是线粒体内膜蛋白，可消除质子梯度，将储存的能量以热量形式释放。已克隆出五种蛋白，分别命名为UCP1、UCP2、UCP3、UCP4和UCP5/BMCP1。这些蛋白在结构上相关，但在组织表达上有所不同。UCP1仅在棕色脂肪组织中表达，而UCP2分布广泛，UCP3主要局限于骨骼肌，UCP4和UCP5/BMCP1在大脑中表达。近年来，解偶联蛋白的特性、调控及其确切功能一直是深入研究的重点。本综述简要总结了关于这一新蛋白家族特性和功能的现有知识。虽然UCP1在能量稳态中具有明确作用，但新发现的UCP2 - UCP5可能具有更微妙的生理重要性，可作为自由基清除剂，并参与调节ATP依赖过程，如分泌。
