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Definition Page for DrumLib's Health Research Review:
UPC
Uncoupling protein
SYN: Thermogenin (ther-moe-JEN-in)
Currently, scientists have found three types of uncoupling
proteins: UPC1, UPC2, and UPC3. Before the discovery of UPC2 and 3, thermogenin (UPC1) was
found in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Thermogenin enables BAT to
"waste" fuel by creating heat instead of ATP. Non-shivering thermogenesis is "uncoupled" from
ATP production.
The burning of free fatty acids
in the mitochondria generates an electron flow.
Uncoupling proteins are transporters that disperse the proton gradient. The
electrochemical energy is released as heat instead of generating ATP through an ATP
synthase driven process that involves the protons re-entering the inner membrane of the
mitochondria and the conversion of ADP to ATP.