UCP1 tagged posts

Researchers have discovered an unexpected biological pathway by which brown fat cells can translate energy into heat. When we are exposed to sufficient cold or exercise, small clusters of brown fat cells in our bodies begin to burn up energy. Since 2009, when researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center and other institutions discovered that this helpful form of fat can be active in adults, scientists have sought to turn up the heat from these cells to treat obesity, diabetes and other metabolic conditions.

Researchers in the lab of Joslin’s Yu-Hua Tseng, PhD, a Senior Investigator in the Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, now have dis...

Highlights •PM20D1 is a secreted enzyme that regulates N-acyl amino acids in vivo •N-acyl amino acids are endogenous metabolites that uncouple mitochondria •Increased PM20D1 or N-acyl amino acid administration augments energy expenditure

Findings show potential for obesity treatment. Investigators have identified a natural molecular pathway that enables cells to burn off calories as heat rather than store them as fat. This raises the possibility of a new approach to treating and preventing obesity, diabetes, and other obesity-linked metabolic disorders including cancer.

Prof. Bruce Spiegelman, PhD discovered the mechanism in energy-burning brown and beige fat cells in mice...