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Uncoupling protein 2 from carp and zebrafish, ectothermic vertebrates
J A Stuart1, J A Harper, K M Brindle
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, UK.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|October 19, 1999
Summary
Researchers identified uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) in fish, which are ectotherms. This discovery suggests UCP2 may have functions beyond thermogenesis, challenging previous hypotheses about uncoupling proteins.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Comparative Genomics
- Ectotherm Physiology
Background:
- Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is crucial for mammalian thermogenesis.
- Newly discovered UCP homologues (UCP2, UCP3) were initially hypothesized to function in thermogenesis.
- Ectothermic vertebrates lack intrinsic thermogenesis, raising questions about UCP functions in these species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize uncoupling protein (UCP) homologues in ectothermic vertebrates.
- To investigate the evolutionary presence and potential functions of UCP2 in fish.
Main Methods:
- Searched expressed sequence tag databases for UCP homologues in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and carp (Cyprinus carpio).
- Obtained and fully sequenced complementary DNAs (cDNAs) from fish cDNA libraries.
- Analyzed amino acid sequences for homology to known mammalian UCPs.
Main Results:
- Identified and sequenced cDNAs encoding UCP2 in zebrafish and carp.
- Fish UCP2 proteins share high sequence identity (82%) with mammalian UCP2s.
- Fish UCP2s exhibit lower identity to mammalian UCP3s (70%) and UCP1s (60%).
Conclusions:
- The presence of UCP2 in ectothermic fish suggests roles beyond thermogenesis.
- This finding challenges the exclusive hypothesis of UCP2 function in heat production.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the non-thermogenic functions of UCP2 in ectotherms.