title: The regulation and physiology of mitochondrial proton leak.
abstract: Mitochondria couple respiration to ATP synthesis through an electrochemical proton gradient. Proton leak across the inner membrane allows adjustment of the coupling efficiency. The aim of this review is threefold: 1) introduce the unfamiliar reader to proton leak and its physiological significance, 2) review the role and regulation of uncoupling proteins, and 3) outline the prospects of proton leak as an avenue to treat obesity, diabetes, and age-related disease.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ajit S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Divakaruni
authors.forename: Martin D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Brand
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051336:Mitochondrial Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018892:Proton-Motive Force; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1; D000071246:Uncoupling Protein 2; D000071247:Uncoupling Protein 3
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007473:Ion Channels; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1; D000071246:Uncoupling Protein 2; D000071247:Uncoupling Protein 3; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate