京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第24911号 / 農博第2574号 / 新制||農||1102(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科応用生物科学専攻 / (主査)教授 舟場 正幸, 教授 太田 毅, 教授 横井 伯英 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

No description available.

Obesity is a rapidly growing epidemic in the USA and worldwide. While the molecular and cellular mechanism of obesity is incompletely understood, studies have shown that excess adiposity may arise from increased adipogenesis (hyperplasia) and adipocyte size (hypertrophy) . Emerging evidence underscores autophagy as an important mediator of adipogenesis and adiposity. We are interested in the upstream regulator of adipocyte autophagy and how it impacts adipocyte biology. Given that metabolic stress activates transcription factor FoxO1 in obesity, my dissertation project is designed to depict the role of FoxO1 in adipocyte autophagy and biology. We found that FoxO1 upregulation was concomitant with elevation of autophagy activity during adipogenesis. Inhibition of FoxO1 suppressed autophagy flux and almost completely prevented adipocyte differentiation. For the first time, we found that the kinetics of FoxO1 activation followed a series of sigmoid curves that showed multiple activation-inactivation transitions during adipogenesis. Our study provides critical evidence casting light on the controversy in the literature that either persistent inhibition or activation of FoxO1 suppresses adipogenesis. In addition, we identified two central pathways that FoxO1-mediated autophagy regulated adipocyte biology: (1) to control lipid droplet growth via fat specific protein 27 (FSP27) in adipocytes; and (2) to differentially regulate mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCP) that have been implicated in browning of white adipose tissue and redox homeostasis. Mechanistically, FoxO1 appears to induce autophagy through the transcription factor EB (Tfeb), which was previously shown to regulate both autophagosome and lysosome. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that FoxO1 directly bound to the promoter of Tfeb, and inhibition of FoxO1 attenuated the binding, which resulted in reduced Tfeb expression. To investigate the role of FoxO1 in vivo, we have developed mouse models to modulate FoxO1 in adipose tissue using an inducible Cre-loxP system. Tamoxifen is widely used to activate the inducible Cre recombinase that spatiotemporally control target gene expression in animal models, but it was unclear whether tamoxifen itself may affect adiposity and confounds phenotyping. Part of my dissertation work was to address this important question. We found that tamoxifen led to reduced fat mass independent of Cre, which lasted for 4-5 weeks. Mechanistically, Tamoxifen induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and augmented apoptosis. Our data reveals a critical period of recovery following tamoxifen treatment in the study of inducible knockout mice. Together, my dissertation work demonstrates FoxO1 as a critical regulator of adipocyte autophagy via Tfeb during adipogenesis. FoxO1-mediated autophagy controls FSP27, lipid droplet growth, and mitochondrial uncoupling proteins. Further study of FoxO1-autophagy axis in obese subjects is of physiological significance, and the investigation is under way. / Ph. D.

Diabetes is closely associated with increased oxidative stress, especially originating from the mitochondria. A mechanism to reduce increased mitochondria superoxide production is to reduce the mitochondria membrane potential by releasing protons across the mitochondria membrane. This phenomenon is referred to as mitochondria uncoupling since oxygen is consumed independently of ATP being produced and can be mediated by Uncoupling Proteins (UCPs). However, increased oxygen consumption is potentially detrimental for the kidney since it can cause tissue hypoxia. Therefore, this thesis aimed to investigate the role of mitochondria uncoupling for development of diabetic nephropathy.      UCP-2 was demonstrated to be the only isoform expressed in the kidney, and localized to tubular segments performing the majority of tubular electrolyte transport. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats increased UCP-2 protein expression and correlated to increased non-transport dependent oxygen consumption in isolated proximal tubular cells. These effects were prevented by intense insulin treatment to the diabetic animals demonstrating a pivotal role of hyperglycemia. Importantly, elevated UCP-2 protein expression increased mitochondria uncoupling in mitochondria isolated from diabetic kidneys. Mitochondria uncoupling and altered morphology was also evident in kidneys from db/db-mice, a model of type-2 diabetes, together with proteinuria and glomerular hyperfiltration which are both clinical manifestations of diabetic nephropathy. Treatment with the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 prevented mitochondria uncoupling as well as morphological and functional alterations in these kidneys. Acute knockdown of UCP-2 paradoxically increased mitochondria uncoupling in a mechanism involving the adenosine nucleotide transporter. Increased uncoupling via adenosine nucleotide transporter decreased mitochondria membrane potential and kidney oxidative stress but did not affect glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow, total kidney oxygen consumption or intrarenal tissue oxygen tension.      The role of increased mitochondria oxygen consumption was investigated by administering the chemical uncoupler dinitrophenol to healthy rats. Importantly, increased mitochondria oxygen consumption resulted in kidney tissue hypoxia, proteinuria and increased staining of the tubular injury marker vimentin, demonstrating a crucial role of increased oxygen consumption per se and the resulting kidney tissue hypoxia for the development of nephropathy.      Taken together, the data presented in this thesis establishes an important role of mitochondria uncoupling for the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / As proteÃnas desacopladoras de planta (pUCP) estÃo localizadas na membrana mitocondrial interna e facilitam o transporte de prÃtons do espaÃo intermembranar para a matriz mitocondrial, desviando a passagem de H+ atravÃs da F1-ATPase, afetando assim a eficiÃncia da fosforilaÃÃo oxidativa, isto Ã, diminuindo a sÃntese de ATP acoplada ao funcionamento da cadeia transportadora de elÃtrons. Portanto, essas proteÃnas sÃo responsÃveis pela dissipaÃÃo do gradiente eletroquÃmico de H+, gerado pela respiraÃÃo, liberando calor para o ambiente. Tais proteÃnas pertencem a FamÃlia de Carreadores de Ãnions Mitocondriais (FCAM) e sÃo codificadas por famÃlias multigÃnicas. Sua funÃÃo ainda nÃo està completamente elucidada, mas a literatura sugere participaÃÃo na adaptaÃÃo a situaÃÃes de estresses biÃticos e abiÃticos e na proteÃÃo da cÃlula evitando a produÃÃo de espÃcies reativas do oxigÃnio (EROs). Sua participaÃÃo na termogÃnese adaptativa à questionÃvel. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi caracterizar a famÃlia multigÃnica da pUCP em Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp bem como sua regulaÃÃo atravÃs da expressÃo gÃnica em resposta a diferentes estresses abiÃticos. Sementes de Vigna unguiculata foram germinadas em papel umedecido com Ãgua, no escuro e apÃs 3 dias as plÃntulas foram transferidas para soluÃÃo de Hoagland durante 3 dias antes da aplicaÃÃo dos estresses. As raizes e as folhas foram coletadas com 0, 6, 12 e 24 horas, apÃs respectivas adiÃÃes de NaCl 100 mM, PEG 200,67 g/L, H2O2 10 mM e Ãcido salicÃlico 5 mM, para caracterizar a famÃlia multigÃnica e o perfil de expressÃo dos genes da pUCP por RT- PCR semiquantitativa e por PCR em tempo real (qPCR). Primers especÃficos foram desenhados com base nas sequÃncias de cDNAs/genes de pUCPs identificadas em Vigna unguiculata usando a ferramenta PerlPrimer. A amplificaÃÃo do cDNA da actina foi usada para a normalizaÃÃo dos dados de RT-PCR semi-quantitativa e trÃs genes constitutivos foram usados na normalizaÃÃo dos dados da qPCR: 2 genes para actina (actinas 4 e 5) e 1 gene para o fator de alogamento 1-α (EF1α). AnÃlise in silico revelou que a pUCP na ordem Fabales à codificada por pelo menos seis genes com duplicaÃÃo do gene pUCP do tipo 1 (1a e 1b) e deleÃÃo do gene pUCP6. A famÃlia multigÃnica da pUCP, constituÃda de 6 genes, entÃo foi identificada em Vigna unguiculata (VuUCP1a, VuUCP1b, VuUCP2, VuUCP3, VuUCP4 e VuUCP5 ). O alinhamento de sequÃncias nucleotÃdicas e de aminoÃcidos das xiii. espÃcies da ordem Fabales incluindo as de Vigna unguiculata, revelou 3 sequÃncias conservadas denominadas Sinal ProtÃico de TransferÃncia de Energia (SPTE), alÃm de 4 domÃnios especÃficos que caracterizam existÃncia de pUCPs verdadeiras em Vigna unguiculata. O gene VuUCP1a foi expresso constitutivamente em folhas e raÃzes, contrastando com VuUCP1b, cuja expressÃo foi modulada em funÃÃo dos estresses e de tecidos. Em raÃzes a expressÃo do VuUCP1b aumentou em resposta a todos os tratamentos (PEG, NaCl, H2O2 e Ãcido salicÃlico) enquanto que em folhas a expressÃo nÃo aumentou em reposta ao NaCl. VuUCP2 teve a expressÃo inibida em resposta ao PEG em folhas. VuUCP4 apresentou expressÃo constitutiva em resposta aos estresses em ambos os tecidos, enquanto que VuUCP3 e VuUCP5 apresentaram induÃÃo de expressÃo por vÃrios estresses dependente do tecido. A identificaÃÃo da famÃlia multigÃnica das pUCPs em Vigna unguiculata e seu perfil de expressÃo gÃnica diferencial, em funÃÃo do estresse aplicado e do tecido estudado, pÃe em evidÃncia um possÃvel papel dessa proteÃna nos mecanismos de ajustamento das plantas aos estresses ambientais. / The plant uncoupling proteins (pUCP) are located in the inner mitochondrial membrane and facilitate the proton translocation across the intermembrane space into the mitochondrial matrix, deflecting the passage of H + by F1-ATPase activity, thus affecting the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation, i.e decreasing the synthesis of ATP coupled to the operation of the electron transport chain. Therefore, these proteins are responsible for dissipating the electrochemical gradient of H+, generated by respiration, releasing heat to the environment. These proteins belong to family of carriers Mitochondrial Anion (FCAM) and are encoded by multigene families. Their function is not yet fully elucidated, but the literature suggests involvement in adapting to biotic and abiotic stresses and cell protection by avoiding the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Their participation in adaptive thermogenesis is unclear. The aim of this work was to characterize the multigene family of pUCP in Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp and your regulation through gene expression in response to different abiotic stresses. Vigna unguiculata seeds were germinated on paper imbibed water in the dark. Three days after germination the seedlings were transferred to Hoagland solution for 3 days before application of stress. Roots and leaves were collected at 0, 6, 12 and 24 hours after addition of the respective 100 mM NaCl, 200.67 g / L PEG, 10 mM H2O2 and 5 mM salicylic acid to characterize the profile of multigene family expression of genes for pUCP by semiquantitative RT-PCR and real-time PCR (qPCR). Specific primers were designed based on the sequences of cDNA / gene identified in pUCPs Vigna unguiculata using the PerlPrimer tool. Amplification of cDNA of actin was used to normalize the data for RT-PCR semi-quantitative and three constitutive genes were used to normalize the data of qPCR: 2 to actin gene (actin 4 and 5) and a gene for factor alogament 1-α (EF1α). In silico analysis revealed that in Fabales order pUCP is encoded by at least six pUCPs genes presenting a duplication of the gene type 1 (1a, 1b) and a pUCP6 gene deletion. The multigene family of pUCP, consisting of six genes was then identified in Vigna unguiculata (VuUCP1a, VuUCP1b, VuUCP2, VuUCP3, VuUCP4 and VuUCP5). The alignment of amino acid and nucleotide sequences of the species of Fabales order including Vigna unguiculata, revealed three xv. conserved sequences called signal Energy Transfer Protein (SPTE), and four domains (or regions or sites) existence of specific true pUCPs in Vigna unguiculata. VuUCP1a gene was constitutively expressed in leaves and roots, contrasting with VuUCP1b, whose expression was modulated in a stress and tissue-dependent manner. The VuUCP1b expression increased in response to all treatments (PEG, NaCl, H2O2 and salicylic acid) in roots, whereas the expression in leaves did not increase in response to NaCl. VuUCP2 expression was inhibited in response to PEG in leaves. VuUCP4 showed constitutive expression in response to stresses in both tissues, while VuUCP3 and VuUCP5 showed induction of expression by various stresses depending on the tissue type. The identification of the multigene family of pUCPs in Vigna unguiculata and its gene expression profile in different tissues and stress conditions highlights a possible role of this protein in the adjustment of plants to environmental stresses.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / As proteÃnas desacopladoras de planta (pUCPs) sÃo proteÃnas integrais de membrana, localizadas na membrana mitocondrial interna, pertencentes a FamÃlia de Carreadores de Ãnions Mitocondriais (FCAM), responsÃveis pela dissipaÃÃo do gradiente eletroquÃmico de prÃtons, gerado pela respiraÃÃo, como calor. Na presenÃa de Ãcidos graxos livres (AGL), as pUCPs facilitam a reentrada de prÃtons do espaÃo intermembranar para a matriz, desviando-os da ATP Sintase, inibindo assim a fosforilaÃÃo oxidativa. A funÃÃo dessas enzimas ainda nÃo està completamente elucidada, mas a literatura sugere a sua participaÃÃo em processos de amadurecimento de frutos, adaptaÃÃo a situaÃÃes de estresses biÃticos e abiÃticos e proteÃÃo da cÃlula evitando a produÃÃo de espÃcies reativas de oxigÃnio (EROS). Sua participaÃÃo na termogÃnese adaptativa à questionÃvel. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi caracterizar a atividade enzimÃtica da pUCP de mitocÃndrias de hipocÃtilos de Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp atravÃs de ensaios polarogrÃficos, identificar o(s) gene(s) das pUCPs, estudando a sua expressÃo em diferentes situaÃÃes de estresses abiÃticos. A atividade da pUCP foi avaliada em presenÃa de Ãcidos graxos (palmÃtico, linolÃico, mirÃstico e lÃurico) e BSA tendo succinato e malato como substratos e distintos pHs (6,5, 7,2 e 7,8). As maiores atividades foram obtidas com Ãcido linoleico na presenÃa de succinato em pHs mais alcalinos (7,2 e 7,8). Primers degenerados a partir de dez diferentes pUCPs, denominados pump1 e pump2, foram desenhados para a amplificaÃÃo dos fragmentos gÃnicos por RT-PCR e PCR. Isolou-se o RNA total de folhas de plÃntulas de V. unguiculata submetidas a diferentes condiÃÃes de estresses (NaCl 100mM, H2O2 1mM e PEG 200,67g/L) que foram amplificados por RT-PCR, purificados e clonados no plasmÃdio pCR4-TOPO. Sete fragmentos gÃnicos de aproximadamente 760 pb foram seqÃenciados, apresentando 100% de identidade entre si. A comparaÃÃo da seqÃÃncia deduzida de aminoÃcidos desse fragmento de cDNA com a soja revelou 94% de homologia com GmUCP1a e 90% de homologia com GmUCP1b. Os resultados sugerem que o gene do feijÃo identificado em V. unguiculata (VuUCP1a) à ortÃlogo ao gene GmUCP1a de soja (Glycine max). A expressÃo de VuUCP1a em feijÃo em condiÃÃes de estresses abiÃticos (salino, oxidativo e osmÃtico) atravÃs de anÃlise por xv. RT-PCR revelou um perfil diferencial, sugerindo induÃÃo de expressÃo de VuUCP1a apenas em resposta ao estresse salino. Isolou-se o DNA genÃmico de V. unguiculata e dois fragmentos gÃnicos (1700 e 1900pb) foram amplificados por PCR. A amplificaÃÃo de dois fragmentos distintos a partir do DNA genÃmico sugere a existÃncia de pelo menos dois genes codificando pUCPs em feijÃo, sendo assim, a pUCP à codificada por uma famÃlia multigÃnica. / The uncoupling proteins of plants (pUCPs) are integral proteins of membrane, located in the mitochondrial inner membrane, belong the Mitochondrial Anion Carrier Family (MACF). They are responsible for the dissipation as heat of the electrochemical gradient of protons, generated during respiration. In the presence of free fatty acid acids (FFA), the UCPs facilitate the re-entry of protons from intermembrane space for the matrix and these protons are deviated from the influence of the ATP sintase what leads to the inhibition the oxidative phosphorilation. The function of these enzymes completely is still not elucidated, but literature suggests its participation in processes of fruit maturation, in the adaptation to stress conditions and in cell protection by avoiding the production of reactive species of oxygen (EROS). The involvement of this enzyme in adaptive thermogenesis is questionable. The objective of the present work was to characterize the enzymatic activity of pUCP of mitochondria from hypocotyls of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp through polarographic assays and to identify the(s) gene(s) of pUCPs, through its expression in different conditions of abiotic stress. The activity of pUCP was evaluated in the presence of fatty acids (palmitic, linoleic, myristic and lauric) and BSA, having succinate and malate as oxidizable substrates at different pHs (6,5, 7,2 and 7,8). The higuest activities were obtained in the presence of linoleic acid, succinate as substrate and with more alkaline pHs (7,2 and 7,8). Degenerate primers, obtained from ten different pUCPs, called pump1 and pump2, has been designed for amplification of the gene fragments through RT-PCR and PCR. The total RNA was isolated from plants leaves of V. unguiculata submitted to different stress conditions (100 mM NaCl, 1 mM H2O2 and 200,67 g/L PEG) and cDNAs fragments amplified by RT-PCR had been purified and cloned in the plasmid PCR4-TOPO. Seven cDNA fragments of approximately 760 pb had been sequenced and presented 100% of identity among themselves. The comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of this cDNA fragment with those of soybean disclosed 94% of identity with the gene GmUCP1a and 90% of identity GmUCP1b soybean gene. These results suggest that the pUCP gene identified in V. unguiculata (VuUCP1a) is ortologous to the GmUCP1a gene from soybean (Glycine max). The expression of genes of pUCP in beans, under abiotic stress xvii. conditions (salinity, oxidative and osmotic conditions) analyzed through RT-PCR disclosed a differential profile what suggests induction of expression of VuUCP1a only in response to salt stress. The genomic DNA of V. unguiculata was isolated and two gene fragments (1700 and 1900 pb) had been amplified by PCR. The amplification of two fragments from the genomic DNA suggests the existence of at least two pUCPs genes in beans what leads to the conclusion of a pUCP multigenic family.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-03-24T12:31:54Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Dissertação - Raphael Silva da Cruz - 2014.pdf: 2331298 bytes, checksum: 48f73362fb99734396ab1734092aeb86 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-03-24T14:11:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Dissertação - Raphael Silva da Cruz - 2014.pdf: 2331298 bytes, checksum: 48f73362fb99734396ab1734092aeb86 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-24T14:11:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Dissertação - Raphael Silva da Cruz - 2014.pdf: 2331298 bytes, checksum: 48f73362fb99734396ab1734092aeb86 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-09-29 / The increase of the elderly population requires the development of strategies to minimize the negative effects of advancing chronological age in the body. The sarcopenia is one of the main changes observed in aging that causes loss of muscle strength. The assessment of hand grip strength (HGS) is an important variable to estimate the impairment of overall muscular strength of a person and is used as an indicator in several countries. Has been highlighted the genetic susceptibility studies underlying the aging phenomenon. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the possible relationship between the SNPs rs1800849 and rs15763 of UCP3 gene and the HGS in adults. This study was a cross-sectional that included 161 individuals from Goiás population, who underwent an evaluation of HGS, and the collection of biological samples for genotyping by qPCR of polymorphic sites rs15763 and rs1800849 of UCP3 gene. Of the participants, 69.9% were women. The mean age was 50.5 (± 19.9) years and the HGS was 29.7 (± 14.6) kgf. We observed a negative and statistically significant correlation between FPP and age (r = -0.55; p≤0,0001). Regarding the polymorphism CC individuals were stronger than those individuals TT + CT for both SNPs. The maximum of HGS was between 30 to 50 years. The greatest decrease of HGS/ year was associated with genotypes that had the T allele for both SNPs studied. Individuals who presented the T allele in rs18949 had 1,684 times more likely to reduce the HGS in relation to genotype rs15763, the OR was 1.876. The UCP3 appears to be an important variable to modulate muscle strength and therefore may be a useful marker to monitor the aging process. This data from will contribute to the specialized attention to health, especially for the elderly population group. / O aumento da população de idosos requer o desenvolvimento de estratégias que possam minimizar os efeitos negativos do avanço da idade cronológica no organismo. A sarcopenia é uma das principais alterações observada no envelhecimento que causa perda de força muscular. A avaliação da força da preensão palmar (FPP) é uma variável importante para se estimar o comprometimento da força muscular global de uma pessoa, sendo usada como indicador em diversos países. Tem merecido destaque os estudos de susceptibilidade genéticas subjacente ao fenômeno do envelhecimento. Neste contexto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a possível relação entre os SNPs rs15763 e rs1800849 do gene UCP3 e a FPP em adultos. O presente estudo foi do tipo transversal, composto por161 participantes da população goiana, que foram submetidos a uma avaliação da FPP, e a coleta de amostras biológicas para a genotipagem através da qPCR dos sítios polimórficos rs15763 e rs1800849 do gene UCP3. Dos participantes, 69,9% eram mulheres. A média da idade foi 50,5 (±19,9) anos, e a da FPP foi de 29,7 (±14,6) kgf. Observou se correlação negativa e estatisticamente significativa entre FPP e idade (r=-0,55; p≤0,0001). Quanto ao polimorfismo os indivíduos CC eram mais fortes dos que os indivíduos CT+TT para os dois SNPs. O pico de FPP dos participantes foi entre 30 a 50 anos. O decréscimo maior de FPP/ano foi associado ao genótipos que apresentavam o alelo T (CT+TT) para ambos os SNPs estudados. Os indivíduos que aprestaram o alelo T em rs18949 tiveram 1,684 (p=0,001) vezes mais chance de reduzir a FPP e em relação ao genótipo rs15763, o OR foi de 1,876 (≤0,0001). A avaliação da qualidade de vida indicou valores altos nos domínios do SF-36, o domínio aspecto social apresentou maior escore com 84,1 e o domínio aspecto físico o menor com 66,1. A desacoplação mediada por UCP3 parece ser uma variável importante para modular a força muscular e, portanto, pode ser um marcador útil para se acompanhar o processo do envelhecimento. Nesse contexto, os dados deste estudo contribuirão para a atenção especializada à saúde, sobretudo para o grupo populacional de idosos.

No description available.

京都大学 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(医学) / 乙第13490号 / 論医博第2258号 / 新制||医||1059(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 渡邉 大, 教授 稲垣 暢也, 教授 長船 健二 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCPs) belong to the superfamily of mitochondrial anion-carriers. The longest known is UCP1, predominantly expressed in brown adipose tissue, where it takes part in nonshivering thermogenesis. In the late 1990s were discovered other sequence homologs of UCP1 with tissue specific distribution. The Function of these "new" uncoupling proteins is still uncertain. It is assumed that each of the isoforms has a specific function depending on the type of tissue. This thesis showed differences in tissue transcription pattern between rat and mice using RT-PCR absolute quantification. Significant differences in pattern were found in lungs, brain and muscle. In each case UCP expression was higher in mice tissues. Mice lungs express mainly UCP2. The difference in mice brain is caused by ucp4 and ucp5 genes transcription and finally in muscle is highest content of UCP3 mRNA. We investigated whether any of ucp transcript can complement ucp2 transcripton in spleen or lungs of ucp2 -/- mice. We did not find any difference which can explain, that in isolated lung mitochondria of fasted ucp2-/- mice were uncoupled in state 4. In the last project, we found relationship between ucp2 transcription in insulinoma INS-1E cells and oxygen levels of the cultivation atmosphere.