Reduction in energy efficiency induced by expression of the uncoupling protein, UCP1, in mouse liver mitochondria.
Uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP1) is an inner mitochondrial membrane protein, uniquely expressed in brown adipocytes, which uncouples the mitochondrial respiration impairing ATP production and energy efficiency. The aim of the present study was to express UCP1 in liver mitochondria using a non-viral system in order to affect energy utilization. The effect of ectopic protein expression on liver energy metabolism, which was evaluated 42 h after DNA transfer, showed that mitochondria expressing UCP1 presented decreased ATP production, lasted more time in membrane potential state 3, and consumed more molecular oxygen to produce the same amount of ATP than the control group. In summary, the successful functionality of the mitochondrial protein, UCP1, after hydrodynamic delivery is a novel and significant finding. This approach could be useful to ectopically express mitochondrial proteins and, in this particular case, to manage metabolic disorders related to energy efficiency and expenditure, such as obesity.
González-Muniesa
Pedro
P
Department of Physiology and Nutrition, University of Navarra, Pamplona (Navarra), Spain.
Milagro
Fermín I
FI
Campión
Javier
J
Martínez
J Alfredo
JA
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D007473:Ion Channels; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051336:Mitochondrial Membranes / Q000502:physiology; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C000604372:Ucp1 protein, mouse; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D008156:Luciferases; D010100:Oxygen