Question

Consider the following uncoupler: UCP-1 (natural uncoupler)

Could the effect(s) of the uncoupler on ATP yield and the effects of the uncoupler on rate of respiration be alleviated? If so, How? and could this be by-passed, if so How?

Answer 1

respiration happens in the double membraned mitochondria that distribute it into 2 compartment. outer membrane allows small metabolites to enter and inner membrane function to keep electrochemical gradient high that is made by the respiratory chain of energy and synthesis of ATP in mitochondria. various reactions like gluconeogenesis, FA oxidation, CA cycle also many steps of urea synthesis occur in mitochondria. mitochondrial respiration produces energy i.e. used for synthesis of ATP by the mechanism "oxidative phosphorylation". there is a feedback mechanism between respiration and ATP synthesis. increase or decrease in respiration directly control the ATP production.

UCP1 is a transporter of mitochondrial membrane essential for controlling body temperature. UCP1 found brown adipocyte and its role is to activate FA uncoupling of respiration that means UCP1 has the capacity to transfer proton after the binding of protein to the FA. UCP1 is a uncoupler regulator in brown adipocytes and maintain the body temperature by generating heat. UCP1 situated at the inner mitochondrial membrane and catalyses proton reentry from the intermembrane space to the matrix that uncouples the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex and decreases the ATP synthesis and produces heat.

# FA - fatty acid # UCP - uncoupler protein