Selective loss of uncoupling protein mRNA in brown adipose tissue on deacclimation of cold-acclimated mice

• Published in: Biochemistry and cell biology Vol. 65; no. 11; p. 955
• Main Authors: Patel, H V, Freeman, K B, Desautels, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada 01-11-1987
• Subjects: Acclimatization; Adipose Tissue, Brown - physiology; Animals; Body Temperature Regulation; Carrier Proteins; Cold Temperature; Gene Expression Regulation; Ion Channels; Membrane Proteins - genetics; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Mice; Mitochondrial Proteins; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Time Factors; Uncoupling Protein 1
• DOI: 10.1139/o87-124
• ISSN: 0829-8211

The time course of changes in the level of uncoupling protein mRNA when cold-acclimated mice were returned to a thermoneutral environment (33 degrees C) was examined using a cDNA probe. Upon deacclimation, there was a marked loss of uncoupling protein mRNA within 24 h, which precedes the loss of uncoupling protein from mitochondria. This loss of uncoupling protein mRNA was selective, since there was no change in the relative proportion of cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV mRNA or poly(A)+ RNA in total RNA. The results suggest that the decrease in the mitochondrial content of uncoupling protein during deacclimation is likely the result of turnover of existing protein, with very little replacement due to a lower level of its mRNA.