Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) mRNA is expressed in a panoply of tissues, including the brain, where it is widely distributed. In the mouse brain, it is expressed in the hypothalamus (suprachiasmatic, paraventricular, dorsomedial, ventromedial and arcuate nuclei), the thalamus (submedius nucleus) and the brain-stem (dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve). In the rat brain, it is also expressed in the hippocampus. The presence of UCP2 mRNA in neurons expressing corticotropin-re-leasing factor and arginine-vasopressin suggests a role for UCP2 in the control of neuroendocrine and behavioural functions. We have recently demonstrated that UCP2-deficient mice can resist the lethal effect of toxoplasmosis through an enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from the macrophages. This finding provides evidence that UCP2 can be part of a mechanism preventing ROS production. UCP2 could therefore be involved in protecting the brain against oxidative stress. The involvement of UCP2 in neuroprotection is also consistent with the recent observation that kainic acid, which promotes Ca2+ uptake in the glutamate-activated neurons in the hippocampal CA1 field, can induce the UCP2 gene in the activated CA1 cells. The role of UCP2 in neuroprotection warrants further investigation.
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Conference Article|
November 01 2001
Uncoupling protein 2 in the brain: distribution and function
D. Richard;
D. Richard
1
1Centre de recherche de l'hôpital Laval et Centre de recherche sur le métabolisme énergétique de l'Université Laval, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada GIK 7P4
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (e-mail denis.richard@phs.ulaval.ca).
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S. Clavel;
S. Clavel
1Centre de recherche de l'hôpital Laval et Centre de recherche sur le métabolisme énergétique de l'Université Laval, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada GIK 7P4
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Q. Huang;
Q. Huang
1Centre de recherche de l'hôpital Laval et Centre de recherche sur le métabolisme énergétique de l'Université Laval, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada GIK 7P4
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D. Sanchis;
D. Sanchis
1Centre de recherche de l'hôpital Laval et Centre de recherche sur le métabolisme énergétique de l'Université Laval, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada GIK 7P4
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D. Ricquier
D. Ricquier
1Centre de recherche de l'hôpital Laval et Centre de recherche sur le métabolisme énergétique de l'Université Laval, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada GIK 7P4
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
July 13 2001
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2001 Biochemical Society
2001
Biochem Soc Trans (2001) 29 (6): 812–817.
Article history
Received:
July 13 2001
Citation
D. Richard, S. Clavel, Q. Huang, D. Sanchis, D. Ricquier; Uncoupling protein 2 in the brain: distribution and function. Biochem Soc Trans 1 November 2001; 29 (6): 812–817. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bst0290812
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