Differential response of UCP3 to medium versus long chain triacylglycerols; manifestation of a functional adaptation

FEBS Lett. 2003 Dec 18;555(3):631-7. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(03)01343-7.

Abstract

We compared UCP3 protein in rat cardiac, glycolytic and oxidative skeletal muscle and examined the effect of high-fat medium chain vs. long chain triacylglycerol feeding on UCP3 content in these tissues. Cardiac muscle displays the lowest basal levels of UCP3 protein. Increasing long chain - but not medium chain - fatty acid supply upregulates UCP3 in all muscles. Since plasma non-esterified fatty acids and the expression of two peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-responsive genes, were not different between groups, we conclude that the differential upregulation of UCP3 is not merely PPAR-mediated. This study supports a role of UCP3 in export of non-metabolizable fatty acids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / drug effects
  • Adaptation, Physiological / physiology
  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Animals
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Carrier Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Energy Intake / drug effects
  • Energy Intake / physiology
  • Ion Channels
  • Male
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Triglycerides / chemistry
  • Triglycerides / metabolism*
  • Triglycerides / pharmacology
  • Uncoupling Protein 3
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Ion Channels
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Transcription Factors
  • Triglycerides
  • UCP3 protein, human
  • Ucp3 protein, rat
  • Uncoupling Protein 3