Uncoupling Protein-2 Modulation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Cell Viability in the Pancreatic Beta Cell Simon C. Lee M.Sc. Thesis 2008 Department of Physiology University of Toronto Uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) may be linked to the attenuation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), but it is unclear whether this phenomenon pertains to the pancreatic beta cell. In this study, a UCP2-deficient mouse ...

Studies have shown that an overproduction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) is an initiating cause in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. However, uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) can protect retinal vascular endothelial cells from damage by inhibiting the overproduction of mitochondrial ROS, although the protective mechanism involved is not completely clear. This study aimed to...

Uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) is known to suppress mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and is employed by drug-resistant cancer cells to mitigate oxidative stress. Using the drug-sensitive HL-60 cells and the drug-resistant MX2 subline as model systems, we show that genipin, a UCP2 inhibitor, sensitizes drug-resistant cells to cytotoxic agents. Increased MX2 cell death was obse...

AIMS Although uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) negatively regulates intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and protects vascular function, its participation in vascular benefits of drugs used to treat cardiometabolic diseases is largely unknown. This study investigated whether UCP2 and associated oxidative stress reduction contribute to the improvement of endothelial function by a di...

Oxidative stress induction is a common effector pathway for commonly used chemotherapeutic agents like gemcitabine (GEM) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, GEM alone or in combination with oxiplatin hardly renders any survival benefits to HCC patients. Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is known to suppress mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, thus mi...

Atherosclerosis is considered the major cause of heart attack, stroke and gangrene of the extremities, which is responsible for 50% of all mortality in Western countries. The pathogenesis and causes of atherosclerosis remain elusive. Recent studies highlight inflammation as a contributing factor for atherosclerosis in all stages of the disease process. In this study, we demonstrate that the tre...

Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) are indicated to protect from oxidative stress. They also play roles in the homeostasis of glutathione. However, the detailed mechanisms are not well understood. In the present study, we found Nrf2-knockout (Nrf2-KO) mice exhibited altered glutathione homeostasis and reduced expression of various genes involved in GSH bio...

Nonshivering thermogenesis induced in brown adipose tissue (BAT) during high-fat feeding is mediated through uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). UCP2 is a recently identified homologue found in many tissues. To determine the role of UCP1 and UCP2 in thermoregulation and energy balance, we investigated the long-term effect of high-fat feeding on mRNA levels in mice at two different ambient temperatures...

BACKGROUND Discovery of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) in 1997 and demonstration of its wide tissue expression has triggered an important question about controlled oxidative phosphorylation uncoupling and the physiological function of this process. Uncoupling protein 2 (UcP2) is a mitochondrial protein that can influence the mitochondrial membrane potential and hence the production of reactive oxy...

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) was reported to be involved in insulin-glucose homeostasis, based on well established event that inhibition of UCP2 stimulates insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells. However, the role of UCP2 on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipose tissue, which is an indispensable process in insulin-glucose homeostasis, remains unknown. In this study, UCP2 was inhibited...