The regulation of body weight depends upon the calorie intake and expenditure.
It is a very complex and highly regulated process.
It involves multiples neural circuits with specific neuropeptides, neurotransmitter transporters and receptors and influenced by peripheral signals.
The product of obese gene (Leptin) may influence many of these processes.
White and brown adipose tissues (WAT and BAT, respectively) play a central role in body weight and energy expenditure.
WAT is the major site for energy storage via triglyceride synthesis and mobilization via lipolysis.
Uncoupling proteins (UCP1-4) are a family of mitochondria transprt proteins that play a critical role in thermoregulatory heat production and maintenance of basal metabolic rate.
BAT is able to dissipate energy as heat via uncoupled mitochondrial respiration by a mitochondrial anion carrier, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1).
UCP1 is predicted to contain 6 trans-membrane (TM) domains, a putative purine nucleotide-binding domain (PNBD) and three-mitochondrial energy transfer protein domains (ETPDs).
Both amino and C-termini are predicted to be cytoplasmic.
UCP1 is a member of the mitochondrial carrier protein family, which includes the ATP/ADP translocator, the phosphate, the 2-oxoglutarate/malate and the citrate (tricarboxylate) carriers.
UCP1 plays an important role in thermoregulation in hibernating animals, neonates, and it contributes to rodent cold- and diet induced thermogenesis.
Applications:Suitable for use in ELISA.
Western Blot, though not tested, may potentially be used as an application.
