Molecular evolution of uncoupling proteins and implications for brain function. (23rd March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gaudry, Michael J.; Jastroch, Martin
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience letters. Volume 696(2019)
• Page Start: 140
• Page End: 145
• Publication Date: 2019-03-23
• Subjects: UCP uncoupling protein -- BAT brown adipose tissue -- NST non-shivering thermogenesis -- ATP adenosine triphosphate -- GDP guanosine diphosphate -- ANT adenine nucleotide translocase -- ROS reactive oxygen species -- MATPs mitochondrial anion transporter proteins -- MYA million years ago -- 4-HNE 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal; Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins -- Brain -- Thermogenesis -- Phylogeny -- Reactive oxygen species -- BMCP; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Neuroanatomie -- Périodiques; Neuropharmacologie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 617.48
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.12.027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3940

Abstract

Highlights: Proto-UCP1 plays an undefined role in brain function of ectothermic vertebrates. Phylogenetic delineation excludes so-called UCP4 and UCP5 from the core UCP family. Phylogenetic inference suggests no thermogenic evolution for UCP2 and UCP3 as found for UCP1. The role of UCP2 in the brain is important but undefined. Abstract: Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) belong to the mitochondrial anion carrier superfamily and catalyze important metabolic functions at the mitochondrial inner membrane. While the thermogenic role of UCP1 in brown fat of eutherian mammals is well established, the molecular functions of UCP1 in ectothermic vertebrates and of other UCP paralogs remain less clear. Here, we critically discuss the existence of brain UCPs and their potential roles. Applying phylogenetic classification of novel UCPs, we summarize the evidence for brain UCP1 among vertebrates, the role of UCP2 in specific brain areas, and the existence of brain-specific UCPs. The phylogenetic analyses and discussion on functional data should alert the scientific community that the molecular function of so-called UCP1 homologues is by far not clarified and possibly relates to neither thermogenesis nor mitochondrial uncoupling.