Title: Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins as potential targets for pharmacological agents
Abstract: It is widely acknowledged that the function of the original uncoupling protein, UCP1, is uncoupling of substrate oxidation from ATP synthesis, and that its physiological purpose is thermogenesis. The mechanisms and physiological functions of the novel uncoupling proteins, identified within the past seven years, are as yet poorly understood. These novel uncoupling proteins are part of a large family comprising approximately 35 mitochondrial anion carrier proteins. UCP2 and UCP3 appear to function in reactive oxygen species handling and/or in fatty acid metabolism; uncoupling might occur secondarily. There is little information on UCP4 and UCP5 (BMCP1), and phylogenetic analyses indicate that they are further removed from UCP1 than mitochondrial anion carrier proteins, and have distinct functions.
Publication Year: 2004
Publication Date: 2004-10-05
Language: en
Type: review
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 17
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