Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2025

High-Resolution Respirometry to Assess Bioenergetics in Cells and Tissues Using Chamber- and Plate-Based Respirometers
Published on: October 26, 2021
Oxidative Phosphorylation in Uncoupled Mitochondria
Henver S Brunetta1, Marcelo A Mori2, Alexander Bartelt3,4,5,6,7,8
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
Mitochondrial membrane potential is highly dependent on coupled as well as uncoupled respiration. While brown adipose tissue (BAT) mediates non-shivering thermogenesis (NST), a highly adaptive bioenergetic process critical for energy metabolism, the relationship of coupled and uncoupled respiration in thermogenic adipocytes remains complicated. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-mediated proton leak is the primary driver of NST, but recent studies have shown that oxidative phosphorylation may be an underappreciated contributor to UCP1-dependent NST. Here, we highlight the role of ATP synthase for BAT thermogenesis and discuss the implications of fine-tuning adrenergic signaling in brown adipocytes by the protein inhibitory factor 1 (IF1). We conclude by hypothesizing future directions for mitochondrial research, such as investigating the potential role of IF1 for mitochondrial substrate preference, structural dynamics, as well as its role in cell fate decision and differentiation.
Related Concept Videos
Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV
Pyruvate Oxidation
First, the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase removes the carboxyl group from pyruvate and releases it as carbon dioxide. The stripped molecule is then oxidized and releases electrons, which are then picked up by NAD+...
Chemiosmosis
Electron Transport Chain
The electron transport chain involves a series of protein complexes on the inner mitochondrial membrane that undergo a series of redox reactions. At the end of this chain, the electrons...
Chemiosmosis and ATP Synthesis
Mitochondria
The Supercomplexes in the Crista Membrane

