Recombinant Rat Mitochondrial brown fat uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1)

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Description

Overview of Recombinant Rat Mitochondrial Brown Fat Uncoupling Protein 1 (Ucp1)

Recombinant Rat Mitochondrial Brown Fat Uncoupling Protein 1 (Ucp1) is a genetically engineered version of the thermogenic protein Ucp1, which is natively expressed in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Ucp1 facilitates proton leakage across the mitochondrial inner membrane, uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation from ATP synthesis to generate heat. Recombinant Ucp1 is produced in heterologous systems such as mammalian cells (e.g., HEK293) or yeast for functional and structural studies, enabling detailed analysis of its role in energy metabolism and thermoregulation .

2.1. Monomeric State and Cardiolipin Binding

Contrary to earlier assumptions of dimerization, Ucp1 functions as a monomer with a molecular weight of ~33 kDa . Each monomer binds:

  • 1 purine nucleotide (e.g., GDP/GTP) at physiological concentrations .

  • 3 cardiolipin molecules, critical for structural stability and activity .

2.2. Key Residues and Domains

  • Arginine-92 (R92) and Glutamate-191 (E191): Essential for fatty acid activation and nucleotide inhibition .

  • Central matrix loop: Determines fatty acid sensitivity .

3.1. Proton Conductance and Regulation

PropertyValue/DescriptionSource
Proton transport rate~75 H⁺/s⁻¹ (in HEK293 mitochondria)
ActivationLong-chain fatty acids (e.g., palmitate)
InhibitionNucleotides (GDP > GTP > ADP/ATP)
pH sensitivityHigher nucleotide affinity at acidic pH

3.2. Reconstitution in Liposomes

  • Exhibits valinomycin-induced proton conductance (up to 25 H⁺/s⁻¹) when reconstituted in phosphatidylcholine liposomes .

  • Activity is fully inhibited by 40 µM GDP .

4.1. Expression Systems and Artifacts

SystemUcp1 Expression LevelActivity Notes
HEK293 cells4.8 µg/mg proteinNo uncoupling artifacts; GDP-sensitive
Yeast~1 µg/mg proteinArtifactual uncoupling at high levels
CHO cells1 µg/mg proteinPartial GDP sensitivity

4.2. Mutational Studies

  • R92E/E191R double mutant: Reduces fatty acid-activated respiration by 55% and abolishes GDP inhibition .

  • E191R single mutant: Retains partial GDP sensitivity .

5.1. Metabolic Studies

  • Thermogenesis assays: Measures proton leak kinetics in response to fatty acids/nucleotides .

  • Obesity research: Ucp1 activation increases energy expenditure, making it a therapeutic target .

5.2. Detection and Quantification

The Rat Ucp1 ELISA Kit (Detection range: 0.156–10 ng/mL; Sensitivity: 0.091 ng/mL) enables precise measurement in serum, plasma, and tissue homogenates .

Challenges and Considerations

  • Artifacts in bacterial systems: E. coli-produced Ucp1 may misfold, leading to false activation claims .

  • Species specificity: Rat Ucp1 shares 85% sequence identity with human Ucp1, but functional differences exist .

Product Specs

Form
Lyophilized powder
Note: While we prioritize shipping the format currently in stock, please specify any format requirements in your order notes for customized preparation.
Lead Time
Delivery times vary depending on the purchasing method and location. Please contact your local distributor for precise delivery estimates.
Note: All proteins are shipped with standard blue ice packs. Dry ice shipping requires prior arrangement and incurs additional charges.
Notes
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Store working aliquots at 4°C for up to one week.
Reconstitution
Centrifuge the vial briefly before opening to consolidate the contents. Reconstitute the protein in sterile, deionized water to a concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/mL. We recommend adding 5-50% glycerol (final concentration) and aliquoting for long-term storage at -20°C/-80°C. Our standard glycerol concentration is 50%, provided as a guideline for customers.
Shelf Life
Shelf life depends on storage conditions, buffer components, temperature, and protein stability. Generally, liquid formulations have a 6-month shelf life at -20°C/-80°C, while lyophilized forms have a 12-month shelf life at -20°C/-80°C.
Storage Condition
Upon receipt, store at -20°C/-80°C. Aliquoting is essential for multiple uses. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Tag Info
Tag type is determined during manufacturing.
The tag type is determined during production. Please specify your desired tag type for prioritized development.
Synonyms
Ucp1; Slc25a7; Ucp; Mitochondrial brown fat uncoupling protein 1; UCP 1; Solute carrier family 25 member 7; Thermogenin
Buffer Before Lyophilization
Tris/PBS-based buffer, 6% Trehalose.
Datasheet
Please contact us to get it.
Expression Region
2-307
Protein Length
Full Length of Mature Protein
Species
Rattus norvegicus (Rat)
Target Names
Target Protein Sequence
VSSTTSEVQPTMGVKIFSAGVSACLADIITFPLDTAKVRLQIQGEGQASSTIRYKGVLGT ITTLAKTEGLPKLYSGLPAGIQRQISFASLRIGLYDTVQEYFSSGRETPASLGSKISAGL MTGGVAVFIGQPTEVVKVRMQAQSHLHGIKPRYTGTYNAYRVIATTESLSTLWKGTTPNL MRNVIINCTELVTYDLMKGALVNHHILADDVPCHLLSALVAGFCTTLLASPVDVVKTRFI NSLPGQYPSVPSCAMTMYTKEGPAAFFKGFAPSFLRLGSWNVIMFVCFEQLKKELMKSRQ TVDCTT
Uniprot No.

Target Background

Function
Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is a mitochondrial protein crucial for thermogenic respiration in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and beige fat. It plays a vital role in non-shivering adaptive thermogenesis, responding to temperature and dietary changes, and contributing to overall energy balance regulation. UCP1 functions as a long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) and proton symporter, transporting one LCFA and one proton across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The hydrophobic LCFA tails remain associated with the transporter, resulting in apparent proton transport activated by LCFAs. This process dissipates the mitochondrial proton gradient, converting the energy of substrate oxidation into heat instead of ATP. UCP1 also regulates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within mitochondria.
Gene References Into Functions
  1. Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha) and UCP1 in brown adipocytes. PMID: 27686967
  2. CPT1AM expression in brown adipocytes increases fatty acid oxidation (FAO), lipolysis, UCP1 protein levels, and mitochondrial activity. Enhanced FAO reduces palmitate-induced triglyceride accumulation and inflammatory marker expression, improving lipid-induced metabolic derangements. PMID: 27438137
  3. Review of the discovery of UCP1, the brown adipocyte mitochondrial uncoupling protein. PMID: 27916641
  4. Rodent UCP1 exhibits high proton conductance in the absence of regulators (fatty acids, retinoids), unlike human UCP1. PMID: 27750036
  5. Prolonged cold exposure induces an anti-inflammatory response in mesenteric white adipose tissue, associated with increased UCP1 expression. PMID: 27560796
  6. Serotonin system modulation positively impacts UCP expression and mitochondrial bioenergetics in brown fat. PMID: 26129910
  7. Maternal dietary factors regulate UCP1 expression in fetal/neonatal brown adipose tissue; maternal low-protein diets upregulate UCP1 and reduce birth weight in obesity-prone male pups. PMID: 25858881
  8. Vitamin D deficiency decreases adiposity and alters the expression of uncoupling proteins and steroid receptor coactivator 3. PMID: 25132457
  9. An ERRgamma inverse agonist reduces UCP1 expression in brown adipocytes. PMID: 23404793
  10. Ubiquitination and the cytosolic proteasome are involved in mitochondrial UCP1 turnover. PMID: 22531154
  11. Interscapular brown adipose tissue plays a significant role in burn injury-induced hypermetabolism through morphological changes and UCP1 expression. PMID: 23169784
  12. Endurance training counteracts the high-sugar diet-induced upregulation of UCP1 in interscapular brown adipose tissue but upregulates UCP3 mRNA in muscle. PMID: 23084644
  13. Fatty acids and nucleotides compete in regulating UCP1 activity. PMID: 22952235
  14. Production of UCP1, an inner mitochondrial membrane protein, using a cell-free expression system with a fluorinated surfactant. PMID: 22226924
  15. Stressed rats exhibit increased mitochondrial UCP1 and PPAR-gamma expression. PMID: 20948513
  16. UCP1, a mammalian thermogenic mitochondrial protein found in brown adipocytes. PMID: 11748291
  17. Superoxide activates mitochondrial uncoupling proteins. PMID: 11780125
  18. Energy metabolism and UCP1 expression in brown adipose tissue after recovery from intracerebroventricular mouse leptin administration in rats. PMID: 12062312
  19. UCP1 muscle gene transfer induces mitochondrial proton leak, potentially increasing energy expenditure. PMID: 12127082
  20. High UCP1 expression in transgenic mice selectively affects resting muscle and reduces type IIb fiber content. PMID: 12221093
  21. Rosiglitazone or retinoid treatment activates p38 MAP kinase, involved in UCP1 gene expression in fetal rat brown adipocytes. PMID: 12414803
  22. UCP1 mutations reveal amino acid residues in the first alpha-helix UCP signature required for maintaining its transport conformation. PMID: 12479871
  23. Dietary protein content affects UCP1, 2, and 3 expression in various tissues of Zucker lean and obese rats. PMID: 12603007
  24. Nucleotide binding model within the UCP1 bundle core, with purine ring interactions with matrix loops and polyphosphate chain stabilization through Arg residues. PMID: 12678439
  25. Ventromedial hypothalamic lesions enhance UCP1, 2, and 3 expression in brown adipose tissue during prolonged fasting through increased PPAR-gamma activity. PMID: 12706490
  26. Study on the isolation, refolding, transport properties, and regulation of recombinant UCP1. PMID: 12734183
  27. Caudal brainstem Mc3r/Mc4r triggers sympathetically stimulated UCP1 gene expression in brown adipose tissue; Melanotan-II induced UCP1 expression is mediated by the caudal brainstem and spinal cord. PMID: 12960080
  28. Repeated immobilization increases UCP1 expression; acute immobilization further enhances UCP1 gene expression. PMID: 14529581
  29. Decreased leptin secretion during lactation downregulates UCP1 and 3 expression in brown adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. PMID: 14605003
  30. Alpha-helices are major components of UCP1 secondary structure; PN-binding doesn't involve significant secondary-structure rearrangement; UCP1 shares secondary-structure characteristics with the ADP/ATP carrier. PMID: 14766012
  31. Histamine infusion into the third cerebral ventricle increases sympathetic nerve activity and UCP1 mRNA expression in brown adipose tissue. PMID: 15099666
  32. Transgenic mice expressing rat UCP1 show low UCP1 activity under normoxia but increased activity during ischemia-reperfusion; UCP1 mitigates reperfusion injury by lowering mitochondrial hyperpolarization. PMID: 15262832
  33. UCP1 regulates metabolic flux and reactive oxygen species production in the thymus. PMID: 15695816
  34. UCP1, Mc4R, and CART gene expression increase after high-energy diet consumption, potentially countering hypercaloric intake. PMID: 15720470
  35. Decreased leptin levels during prolonged REM sleep deprivation are associated with increased UCP1 gene expression in BAT, contributing to elevated metabolism. PMID: 15727948
  36. UCP1 is upregulated by rosiglitazone. PMID: 15887043
  37. Thyroid status significantly affects UCP1 content in rat brown fat. PMID: 15891081
  38. Fucoxanthin upregulates UCP1 expression in white adipose tissue (WAT), potentially reducing WAT weight. PMID: 15896707
  39. UCP1 flips long-chain fatty acid anions. PMID: 16291746
  40. Reactive alkenals activate UCP1 proton conductance more strongly with fatty acids, impacting mechanistic and physiological models of UCP1 activation. PMID: 16451125
  41. UCP1-UCP2 chimeras show progressive degradation of UCP1 bioenergetic properties with sequential replacement of UCP1 regions with UCP2 counterparts. PMID: 16814247
  42. TUSC5 is involved in BAT differentiation and its expression is regulated independently of the beta-adrenergic pathway. PMID: 17592729
  43. Mitochondrial UCPs have neuroprotective and thermal signaling roles in vestibular nerves. PMID: 17686539
  44. Benidipine upregulates UCP1 gene expression in BAT and UCP3 in BAT and muscle, contributing to thermogenesis. PMID: 17878603
  45. IL-15 may influence lipid consumption in BAT by regulating lipid oxidation and thermogenesis, mediated by UCP1, UCP3, PPARdelta, and PPARalpha. PMID: 18239634
  46. UCP1 is present in rat and mouse thymocytes; the antibody to full-length UCP1 lacks UCP1 specificity. PMID: 18471433
  47. Tea catechins upregulate UCP1 mRNA expression; their effect on body fat reduction is associated with UCP1 expression in brown fat. PMID: 18479902
  48. In pancreatic beta-cells, UCP1/2 show no uncoupling activity basally or after fatty acid stimulation. PMID: 18626658
  49. UCP2 is the only detectable isoform in the kidney, present in proximal tubular cells and medullary thick ascending loop of Henle cells. PMID: 19227473
  50. UCP1 activation causes a purine nucleotide-sensitive decrease in the ubiquinone redox state. PMID: 19747168
Database Links
Protein Families
Mitochondrial carrier (TC 2.A.29) family
Subcellular Location
Mitochondrion inner membrane; Multi-pass membrane protein.
Tissue Specificity
Brown adipose tissue.

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