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Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Exploring Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism of Single 3D Microtissue Spheroids Using Extracellular Flux Analysis
Published on: February 3, 2022
[Uncoupling proteins in modulation of mitochondrial functions--therapeutic prospects]
Andrzej Woyda-Płoszczyca1, Wiesława Jarmuszkiewicz
1Instytut Biologii Molekularnej i Biotechnologii, Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu.
Abstract:
Enormous interest in mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCPs) is caused by relevant impact of these energy-dissipating systems on cellular energy transduction. A key role of UCPs in regulation of mitochondrial metabolism is supported by existence of their different isoforms in various mammalian tissues. Recent studies have shown that UCPs have an important part in pathogenesis of various disorders, such as obesity, type-2 diabetes, cachexia, aging or tumor. The obscure roles of UCPs in normal physiology and their emerging role in pathophysiology, provide exciting potential for further investigation. However, neither the exact physiological nor biochemical roles of UCP homologues are well understood. Therefore, providing mechanistic explanation of their functions in cellular physiology may be the basis for potential farmacological targeting of UCPs in future on clinical scale.
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