title: Uncoupling proteins: a role in protection against reactive oxygen species--or not?
abstract: A physiological function of the original uncoupling protein, UCP1, is well established: UCP1 is the molecular background for nonshivering thermogenesis. The functions of the "novel" UCPs, UCP2 and UCP3, are still not established. Recent discussions imply that all UCPs may play a role in protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here we examine critically the evidence that UCP1, UCP2 and UCP3 are stimulated by ROS (superoxide) or ROS products (4-hydroxy-2-nonenal), and that the UCPs actually diminish oxidative damage. We conclude that, concerning UCP1, it is unlikely that it has such a role; concerning UCP2/UCP3, most evidence for physiologically significant roles in this respect is still circumstantial.
authors.affiliation: The Wenner-Gren Institute, The Arrhenius Laboratories F3, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden. barbara.cannon@wgi.su.se
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cannon
authors.forename: Irina G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Shabalina
authors.forename: Tatiana V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Kramarova
authors.forename: Natasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Petrovic
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nedergaard
mesh_terms: D000447:Aldehydes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011685:Purine Nucleotides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1; D000071246:Uncoupling Protein 2; D000071247:Uncoupling Protein 3
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D011685:Purine Nucleotides; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C000604371:UCP1 protein, human; C000604389:UCP2 protein, human; C000604392:UCP3 protein, human; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1; D000071246:Uncoupling Protein 2; D000071247:Uncoupling Protein 3; D013481:Superoxides; C027576:4-hydroxy-2-nonenal