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UCP4, a novel brain‐specific mitochondrial protein that reduces membrane potential in mammalian cells
Author(s) -
Mao Weiguang,
Yu Xing Xian,
Zhong Alan,
Li Wenlu,
Brush Jennifer,
Sherwood Steven W,
Adams Sean H,
Pan Guohua
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(98)01713-x
Subject(s) - uncoupling protein , mitochondrion , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , thermogenin , biochemistry , thermogenesis , adipose tissue , brown adipose tissue
Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are a family of mitochondrial transporter proteins that have been implicated in thermoregulatory heat production and maintenance of the basal metabolic rate. We have identified and partially characterized a novel member of the human uncoupling protein family, termed uncoupling protein‐4 (UCP4). Protein sequence analyses showed that UCP4 is most related to UCP3 and possesses features characteristic of mitochondrial transporter proteins. Unlike other known UCPs, UCP4 transcripts are exclusively expressed in both fetal and adult brain tissues. UCP4 maps to human chromosome 6p11.2–q12. Consistent with its potential role as an uncoupling protein, UCP4 is localized to the mitochondria and its ectopic expression in mammalian cells reduces mitochondrial membrane potential. These findings suggest that UCP4 may be involved in thermoregulatory heat production and metabolism in the brain.