Palou A, Picó C, Bonet M L, Oliver P
Departament de Biologia Fonamental i Ciêncies de la Salut, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca 07071, Spain.
Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 1998 Jan;30(1):7-11. doi: 10.1016/s1357-2725(97)00065-4.
The uncoupling protein (UCP) or thermogenin is a 33 kDa inner-membrane mitochondrial protein exclusive to brown adipocytes in mammals that functions as a proton transporter, allowing the dissipation as heat of the proton gradient generated by the respiratory chain and thereby uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation. Thermogenesis (heat production) in brown adipose tissue, which is activated in response to cold exposure or chronic overeating, depends largely on UCP activity. Norepinephrine, released from sympathetic terminals and acting via beta-adrenoceptors and cAMP, is the main positive regulator of both UCP synthesis and activity. Brown fat thermogenesis plays a critical role in thermoregulation and in overall energy balance, at least in rodents. Manipulation of thermogenesis, whether through UCP or through analogous uncoupling proteins, could be an effective strategy against obesity.
解偶联蛋白（UCP）或产热素是一种分子量为33 kDa的线粒体内膜蛋白，仅存在于哺乳动物的褐色脂肪细胞中，其功能是作为质子转运体，使呼吸链产生的质子梯度以热量形式耗散，从而使氧化磷酸化解偶联。褐色脂肪组织中的产热作用（产热）在寒冷暴露或长期暴饮暴食时被激活，很大程度上依赖于UCP的活性。从交感神经末梢释放并通过β-肾上腺素能受体和环磷酸腺苷发挥作用的去甲肾上腺素是UCP合成和活性的主要正调节因子。至少在啮齿动物中，褐色脂肪产热在体温调节和整体能量平衡中起着关键作用。无论是通过UCP还是通过类似的解偶联蛋白来操纵产热，都可能是对抗肥胖的有效策略。
