UCP1

Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCP) are members of the family of mitochondrial anion carrier proteins (MACP). UCPs separate oxidative phosphorylation from ATP synthesis with energy dissipated as heat, also referred to as the mitochondrial proton leak. UCPs facilitate the transfer of anions from the inner to the outer mitochondrial membrane and the return transfer of protons from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane. They also reduce the mitochondrial membrane potential in mammalian cells. Tissue specificity occurs for the different UCPs and the exact methods of how UCPs transfer H+/OH- are not known. UCPs contain the three homologous protein domains of MACPs. This gene is expressed only in brown adipose tissue, a specialized tissue which functions to produce heat.

Full Name

uncoupling protein 1

Function

Mitochondrial protein responsible for thermogenic respiration, a specialized capacity of brown adipose tissue and beige fat that participates in non-shivering adaptive thermogenesis to temperature and diet variations and more generally to the regulation of energy balance (By similarity).
Functions as a long-chain fatty acid/LCFA and proton symporter, simultaneously transporting one LCFA and one proton through the inner mitochondrial membrane (PubMed:24196960).
However, LCFAs remaining associated with the transporter via their hydrophobic tails, it results in an apparent transport of protons activated by LCFAs. Thereby, dissipates the mitochondrial proton gradient and converts the energy of substrate oxydation into heat instead of ATP. Regulates the production of reactive oxygen species/ROS by mitochondria (By similarity).

Biological Process

Biological Process adaptive thermogenesis Source:UniProtKB
Biological Process brown fat cell differentiation Source:HGNC-UCL
Biological Process cellular response to cold Source:Ensembl
Biological Process cellular response to dehydroepiandrosterone Source:Ensembl
Biological Process cellular response to fatty acid Source:UniProtKB
Biological Process cellular response to hormone stimulus Source:UniProtKB
Biological Process cellular response to reactive oxygen species Source:UniProtKB
Biological Process diet induced thermogenesis Source:Ensembl
Biological Process mitochondrial transmembrane transport Source:UniProtKB
Biological Process mitochondrial transport Source:Ensembl
Biological Process positive regulation of cold-induced thermogenesis Source:YuBioLabBy Similarity
Biological Process proton transmembrane transport Source:UniProtKB1 Publication
Biological Process regulation of reactive oxygen species biosynthetic process Source:UniProtKB
Biological Process regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II Source:Ensembl
Biological Process response to cold Source:GO_Central1 Publication
Biological Process response to nutrient levels Source:UniProtKB
Biological Process response to temperature stimulus Source:UniProtKB

Cellular Location

Mitochondrion inner membrane

Topology

Mitochondrial intermembrane: 1-10
Helical: 11-32
Mitochondrial matrix: 33-73
Helical: 74-96
Mitochondrial intermembrane: 97-116
Helical: 117-133
Mitochondrial matrix: 134-178
Helical: 179-195
Mitochondrial intermembrane: 196-212
Helical: 213-232
Mitochondrial matrix: 233-266
Helical: 267-289
Mitochondrial intermembrane: 290-307

PTM

May undergo sulfenylation upon cold exposure. May increase the sensitivity of UCP1 thermogenic function to the activation by noradrenaline probably through structural effects.
May undergo ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation.