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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

The Use of the Patch-Clamp Technique to Study the Thermogenic Capacity of Mitochondria
Published on: May 3, 2021
Fundamental mechanisms of thermogenesis
1CNRS UPR 9078, université Paris-Descartes, site Necker-Enfants-Malades, 156, rue de Vaugirard, 75015 Paris, France. ricquier@necker.fr
Abstract:
Thermogenesis is an obligatory consequence of cellular metabolism and is identified as a unique property of homeotherms which have to maintain constant their body temperature in a cold environment. Physiologically, thermogenesis is made of basal metabolism, post-prandial thermogenesis, exercise-induced thermogenesis and adaptive thermogenesis induced by changes in the environmental temperature. Biochemically, thermogenesis comes from exergonic reactions from a loose coupling between endergonic and exergonic reactions. In cells, respiration and oxidations occur in mitochondria which ensure the coupling of oxidative energy to ATP synthesis. Identification of mitochondrial uncoupling proteins UCP allowed further understanding of the mechanism of coupling or uncoupling of respiration to ADP phosphorylation. Such data maybe of help in the understanding, or possible treatment, of certain types of obesity.
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