UCP2, a mitochondrial protein regulated at multiple levels

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2014 Apr;71(7):1171-90. doi: 10.1007/s00018-013-1407-0. Epub 2013 Jun 27.

Abstract

An ever-increasing number of studies highlight the role of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) in a broad range of physiological and pathological processes. The knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of UCP2 regulation is becoming fundamental in both the comprehension of UCP2-related physiological events and the identification of novel therapeutic strategies based on UCP2 modulation. The study of UCP2 regulation is a fast-moving field. Recently, several research groups have made a great effort to thoroughly understand the various molecular mechanisms at the basis of UCP2 regulation. In this review, we describe novel findings concerning events that can occur in a concerted manner at various levels: Ucp2 gene mutation (single nucleotide polymorphisms), UCP2 mRNA and protein expression (transcriptional, translational, and protein turn-over regulation), UCP2 proton conductance (ligands and post-transcriptional modifications), and nutritional and pharmacological regulation of UCP2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / pharmacology
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Ion Channels / chemistry
  • Ion Channels / genetics
  • Ion Channels / metabolism*
  • Metformin / pharmacology
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / chemistry
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Genetic
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Uncoupling Protein 2

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Ion Channels
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Uncoupling Protein 2
  • Doxorubicin
  • Metformin