Mitochondrial ROS regulate thermogenic energy expenditure and sulfenylation of UCP1.

Nature
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Brown and beige adipose tissues can dissipate chemical energy as heat through thermogenic respiration, which requires uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). Thermogenesis from these adipocytes can combat obesity and diabetes, encouraging investigation of factors that control UCP1-dependent respiration in vivo. Here we show that acutely activated thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue is defined by a substantial increase in levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Remarkably, this process supports in vivo thermogenesis, as pharmacological depletion of mitochondrial ROS results in hypothermia upon cold exposure, and inhibits UCP1-dependent increases in whole-body energy expenditure. We further establish that thermogenic ROS alter the redox status of cysteine thiols in brown adipose tissue to drive increased respiration, and that Cys253 of UCP1 is a key target. UCP1 Cys253 is sulfenylated during thermogenesis, while mutation of this site desensitizes the purine-nucleotide-inhibited state of the carrier to adrenergic activation and uncoupling. These studies identify mitochondrial ROS induction in brown adipose tissue as a mechanism that supports UCP1-dependent thermogenesis and whole-body energy expenditure, which opens the way to improved therapeutic strategies for combating metabolic disorders.

Year of Publication
2016
Journal
Nature
Volume
532
Issue
7597
Pages
112-6
Date Published
2016 04 07
ISSN
1476-4687
URL
DOI
10.1038/nature17399
PubMed ID
27027295
Links
Grant list
MC_U105674181 / Medical Research Council / United Kingdom
R01 GM067945 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
DK31405 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States
CIHR / Canada