High expression of uncoupling protein 2 in foetal liver

FEBS Lett. 1998 Mar 27;425(2):185-90. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(98)00230-0.

Abstract

To assess the putative role of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) during perinatal development, its expression was analysed in mice and rats. Expression was detected in a large range of foetal tissues. A unique developmental pattern of UCP2 expression was found in liver, where the level of UCP2 mRNA was about 30-fold higher in foetuses than in adults (mice data), and started to decline immediately after birth. Neither UCP1 nor UCP3 mRNA was expressed in foetal liver. As in adult liver, immunohistochemical analysis suggested exclusive localisation of UCP2 in the monocyte/macrophage cells. Our results indicate a role of UCP2 in haematopoietic system development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / genetics
  • Enzyme Precursors / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Ion Channels
  • Liver / embryology
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mitochondrial Proteins*
  • Protein Sorting Signals / genetics
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Uncoupling Protein 2

Substances

  • Enzyme Precursors
  • Ion Channels
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Protein Sorting Signals
  • Proteins
  • Ucp2 protein, mouse
  • Ucp2 protein, rat
  • Uncoupling Protein 2
  • Electron Transport Complex IV