Abstract
The uncoupling protein UCP1 provides eutherian mammals with an efficient thermogenic mechanism. Recent work published in BMC Evolutionary Biology, following the identification of UCP1 orthologs in non-eutherians, concludes that this unique function appeared after sequence divergence and purifying selection that allowed functional co-option.
Highlights
Brown fat is a thermogenic tissue only present in eutherian mammals
Recent work published in BMC Evolutionary Biology, following the identification of UCP1 orthologs in non-eutherians, concludes that this unique function appeared after sequence divergence and purifying selection that allowed functional co-option
The uncoupling proteins (UCPs), a family of transporters belonging to the mitochondrial carrier protein superfamily, which is found in all eukaryotic organisms, provide the pathway for proton reentry
Summary
Brown fat is a thermogenic tissue only present in eutherian mammals. Heat generation in brown adipose tissue relies on the above-described modification of the mitochondrial proton circuit, which allows fast substrate oxidation without ATP synthesis. The uncoupling proteins (UCPs), a family of transporters belonging to the mitochondrial carrier protein superfamily, which is found in all eukaryotic organisms, provide the pathway for proton reentry. The sequencing of the first mitochondrial carriers (adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT), phosphate carrier (PiC) and UCP) revealed that these metabolite transporters have common structural features and belong to the same protein family.
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