Brown adipose tissue specific lack of uncoupling protein 3 is associated with impaired cold tolerance and reduced transcript levels of metabolic genes.
Uncoupling protein 3 (Ucp3) is located within the mitochondrial inner membrane of brown adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. It is thought to be implicated in lipid metabolism and defense against reactive oxygen species. We previously reported on a mutation in our breeding colony of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) that leads to brown adipose tissue specific lack of Ucp3 expression. In this study we compared wildtype with mutant hamsters on a broad genetic background. Hamsters lacking Ucp3 in brown adipose tissue displayed a reduced cold tolerance due to impaired nonshivering thermogenesis. This phenotype is associated with a global decrease in expression of metabolic genes but not of uncoupling protein 1. These data implicate that Ucp3 is necessary to sustain high metabolic rates in brown adipose tissue.
Nau
Kerstin
K
Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
Fromme
Tobias
T
Meyer
Carola W
CW
von Praun
Christa
C
Heldmaier
Gerhard
G
Klingenspor
Martin
M
D001275:ATP Citrate (pro-S)-Lyase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000103:Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002001:Adipose Tissue, Brown / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015256:Coenzyme A-Transferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006224:Cricetinae; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D017111:Phodopus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D000071247:Uncoupling Protein 3
D007473:Ion Channels; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000071247:Uncoupling Protein 3; D001275:ATP Citrate (pro-S)-Lyase; D015256:Coenzyme A-Transferases; C021460:3-ketoacid CoA-transferase; D000103:Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase