title: Uncoupling protein 3 as a mitochondrial fatty acid anion exporter.
abstract: In contrast to UCP1, the primary function of UCP3 is not the dissipation of energy. Rather, several lines of evidence suggest that UCP3 is related to cellular long-chain fatty acid homeostasis. If long-chain fatty acids enter the mitochondrial matrix in their non-esterified form, they cannot be metabolized and may exert deleterious effects. To test the feasibility that UCP3 exports fatty acid anions, we systematically interfered at distinct steps in the fatty acid metabolism pathway, thereby creating conditions in which the entry of (non-esterified) fatty acids into the mitochondrial matrix is enhanced. First, reducing the cellular fatty acid binding capacity, known to increase cytosolic concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids, up-regulated UCP3 5.3-fold. Second, inhibition of mitochondrial entry of esterified long-chain fatty acids up-regulated UCP3 by 1.9-fold. Third, high-fat diets, to increase mitochondrial supply of non-esterified long-chain fatty acids exceeding oxidative capacity, up-regulated UCP3 twofold. However, feeding a similar amount of medium-chain fatty acids, which can be oxidized inside the mitochondrial matrix and therefore do not need to be exported from the matrix, did not affect UCP3 protein levels. These data are compatible with a physiological function of UCP3 in facilitating outward transport of long-chain fatty acid anions, which cannot be oxidized, from the mitochondrial matrix.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biology, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht , Maastricht University, The Netherlands. p.schrauwen@hb.unimaas.nl
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schrauwen
authors.forename: Joris
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoeks
authors.forename: Gert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schaart
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kornips
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Binas
authors.forename: Ger J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Van De Vusse
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Bilsen
authors.forename: Joost J F P
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Luiken
authors.forename: Susan L M
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Coort
authors.forename: Jan F C
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Glatz
authors.forename: Wim H M
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Saris
authors.forename: Matthijs K C
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Hesselink
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000838:Anions / Q000378:metabolism; D001692:Biological Transport; D002334:Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D005223:Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000071438:Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 7; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D007473:Ion Channels; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D008954:Models, Biological; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000071247:Uncoupling Protein 3
chemical_list: D000838:Anions; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D004852:Epoxy Compounds; C082667:Fabp5 protein, mouse; C086936:Fabp7 protein, mouse; C490174:Fabp7 protein, rat; D005223:Fats; D000071438:Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 7; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids; D007473:Ion Channels; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C000604392:UCP3 protein, human; C000604393:Ucp3 protein, mouse; C000604394:Ucp3 protein, rat; D000071247:Uncoupling Protein 3; D002334:Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase; C054207:etomoxir