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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Molecular Evolution of the Tre Recombinase

Molecular Evolution of the Tre Recombinase

Published on: May 29, 2008

Molecular evolution of uncoupling proteins and implications for brain function.

Michael J Gaudry¹, Martin Jastroch¹

¹Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, The Arrhenius Laboratories F3, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.

Neuroscience Letters

|December 25, 2018

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The function of uncoupling proteins (UCPs) in the brain is unclear. Phylogenetic analysis suggests brain UCP1 homologues may not be involved in thermogenesis or mitochondrial uncoupling.

Keywords:

BMCP Brain Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins Phylogeny Reactive oxygen species Thermogenesis

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Published on: May 29, 2008

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Published on: May 28, 2021

Area of Science:

Mitochondrial biology
Neuroscience
Evolutionary biology

Background:

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are crucial for mitochondrial inner membrane functions.
UCP1's thermogenic role is known in eutherian mammals, but its function in other vertebrates and UCP paralogs is less understood.
The presence and roles of UCPs in the brain require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To critically evaluate the existence and potential roles of UCPs in the brain.
To summarize evidence for brain UCP1, UCP2 in specific brain regions, and brain-specific UCPs across vertebrates.
To highlight the need for clarification regarding the molecular functions of UCP homologues.

Main Methods:

Phylogenetic classification of novel UCPs.
Critical discussion of existing functional data on UCPs in the brain.
Comparative analysis across vertebrate species.

Main Results:

Evidence for brain UCP1 in vertebrates was summarized.
The role of UCP2 in specific brain areas was discussed.
The existence of brain-specific UCPs was considered.

Conclusions:

The molecular functions of brain UCP1 homologues are not well-clarified.
These proteins may not be involved in thermogenesis or mitochondrial uncoupling.
Further research is needed to elucidate the true functions of brain UCPs.