Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2026

Optimized Protocol for the Extraction of Proteins from the Human Mitral Valve
Published on: June 14, 2017
Uncoupling proteins--a new family of proteins with unknown function
Charlotte Erlanson-Albertsson1
1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Lund, Sweden. charlotte.erlanson-albertsson@medkem.lu.se
Abstract:
Uncoupling proteins are inner mitochondrial membrane proteins, which dissipate the proton gradient, releasing the stored energy as heat. Five proteins have been cloned, named UCP1, UCP2, UCP3, UCP4 and UCP5/BMCP1. These proteins are structurally related but differ in tissue expression. UCP1 is expressed uniquely in the brown adipose tissue, while UCP2 is widely distributed, UCP3 is mainly restricted to skeletal muscle and UCP4 and UCP5/BMCP1 expressed in the brain. The properties and regulation of the uncoupling proteins and their exact function has been the focus of an intense research during recent years. This review briefly summarizes the actual knowledge of the properties and function of this new family of proteins. While UCP1 has a clear role in energy homeostasis, the newcomers UCP2-UCP5 may have more delicate physiological importance acting as free radical oxygen scavengers and in the regulation of ATP-dependent processes, such as secretion.
More Related Videos
05:27Inner Mitochondrial Membrane Sensitivity to Na+ Reveals Partially Segmented Functional CoQ Pools
Published on: July 20, 2022
07:03Pulldown Assay Coupled with Co-Expression in Bacteria Cells as a Time-Efficient Tool for Testing Challenging Protein-Protein Interactions
Published on: December 23, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein.
Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts
The SCF ubiquitin ligase is a protein complex of five individual proteins. This complex attaches ubiquitin to other target proteins to mark them for degradation. In order to...
Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein.
Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts
The SCF ubiquitin ligase is a protein complex of five individual proteins. This complex attaches ubiquitin to other target proteins to mark them for degradation. In order to...
Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV