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Updated: Feb 2, 2026
06:28
Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging of Interscapular Brown Adipose Tissue
Published on: October 7, 2014
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Brown adipose tissue as a heat-producing thermoeffector.
Jan Nedergaard1, Barbara Cannon1
1Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
Handbook of Clinical Neurology
|November 21, 2018
Summary
Brown adipose tissue generates heat through uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) via nonshivering thermogenesis, crucial for mammals. This adaptive process, vital for thermoregulation, may also play a role in managing obesity.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Metabolism
- Thermogenesis
Background:
- Mammals maintain body temperature using shivering and nonshivering thermogenesis.
- Nonshivering thermogenesis relies on uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) in brown adipose tissue.
- UCP1 activity is facultative, adaptive, and crucial for thermoregulation in various mammalian states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms and significance of nonshivering thermogenesis mediated by UCP1.
- To explore the role of brown adipose tissue in thermoregulation, cold adaptation, and obesity.
- To discuss the regulation and evolutionary context of UCP1.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on thermogenesis and UCP1.
- Analysis of physiological data related to heat production and oxygen consumption.
- Discussion of molecular mechanisms involving UCP1, fatty acids, and ATP.
Main Results:
- Nonshivering thermogenesis in mammals is primarily driven by UCP1 in brown adipose tissue.
- UCP1 activity is regulated by cytosolic ATP and activated by fatty acids, stimulated by norepinephrine.
- Brown adipose tissue is active in cold-adapted mammals, neonates, hibernators, and potentially in obese individuals.
Conclusions:
- UCP1 is a key protein for adaptive thermogenesis in mammals, likely evolved early in mammalian history.
- Brown adipose tissue's role in adult human metabolism requires further investigation.
- UCP1's ability to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation is unique among uncoupling protein family members.
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