UCP2, a mitochondrial protein regulated at multiple levels

An ever-increasing number of studies highlightthe role of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) in a broadrange of physiological and pathological processes. Theknowledge of the molecular mechanisms of UCP2 regulationis becoming fundamental in both the comprehensionof UCP2-related physiological events and the identificationof novel therapeutic strategies based on UCP2 modulation.The study of UCP2 regulation is a fast-moving field.Recently, several research groups have made a great effortto thoroughly understand the various molecular mechanismsat the basis of UCP2 regulation. In this review, wedescribe novel findings concerning events that can occur ina concerted manner at various levels: Ucp2 gene mutation(single nucleotide polymorphisms), UCP2 mRNA and proteinexpression (transcriptional, translational, and proteinturn-over regulation), UCP2 proton conductance (ligandsand post-transcriptional modifications), and nutritional andpharmacological regulation of UCP2.