GenAge entry for UCP2 (Homo sapiens)
Gene name (HAGRID: 235)
- HGNC symbol
- UCP2
- Aliases
- SLC25A8; BMIQ4
- Common name
- uncoupling protein 2 (mitochondrial, proton carrier)
Potential relevance to the human ageing process
- Main reason for selection
- Entry selected based on evidence directly linking the gene product to ageing in a non-mammalian animal model
- Description
Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins create proton leaks across the inner mitochondrial membrane to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation from ATP synthesis resulting in energy being dissipated as heat. Like similar proteins, UCP2 appears thus to be involved in thermogenesis.
In the fruit fly, overexpression of human UCP2 in adult neurons decreases oxidative damage and extends lifespan [1496]. Transgenic mice overexpressing UCP2 in hypocretin neurons have an elevated hypothalamic temperature which results in reduction of the core body temperature. These animals had increased energy efficiency and an extended lifespan [1932]. UCP2-null mice have a significantly shorter lifespan as a result of an accelerated aging process [1505]. The mice reach sexual maturity earlier and progress into an aging phenotype earlier, demonstrated by a decrease in body weight, increased neutrophil numbers, and earlier emergence of spontaneous ulcerative dermatitis. This accelerated aging seems to be driven by increased levels of circulating IGF1, indicating potential crosstalk between UPC2 and the INS/IGF1 signalling pathway [4350]. In addition, UCP2-null mice have been shown to have increased glucose-stimulated INS secretion [1505]. In humans, UCP2 polymorphisms have been linked to obesity and are associated with longevity [1503].
Cytogenetic information
- Cytogenetic band
- 11q13
- Location
- 73,974,671 bp to 73,982,844 bp
- Orientation
- Minus strand
Protein information
- Gene Ontology
-
Process: GO:0000303; response to superoxide
GO:0001666; response to hypoxia
GO:0006810; transport
GO:0006839; mitochondrial transport
GO:0007565; female pregnancy
GO:0007568; aging
GO:0010942; positive regulation of cell death
GO:0015992; proton transport
GO:0032869; cellular response to insulin stimulus
GO:0034198; cellular response to amino acid starvation
GO:0043066; negative regulation of apoptotic process
And 6 more GO terms Cellular component: GO:0005743; mitochondrial inner membrane
GO:0016021; integral component of membrane
Function: GO:0005515; protein binding
Protein interactions and network
Retrieve sequences for UCP2
Homologs in model organisms
In other databases
- GenAge model organism genes
- GenDR gene manipulations
- A homolog of this gene for Caenorhabditis elegans is present as ucp2
- LongevityMap
- This gene is present as UCP2