INDUCTION OF UCP2 MESSENGER-RNA BY THYROID-HORMONES IN RAT-HEART

The possible regulation of the expression of uncoupling protein-2 (UCP 2) mRNA by thyroid hormones in different tissues was examined in rats, Triiodothyronine (T-3) was found to produce an organ-specific enhance ment of UCP2 expression in rat tissues. The effect of T-3 was markedly observed in heart, whereas a moderate effect was seen in skeletal mus cle and no effect in kidney or liver, These results suggest that UCP2 is a protein that may be involved in the nuclear-mediated effect of T- 3 on resting metabolic rate in the rat. (C) 1997 Federation of Europea n Biochemical Societies.