Possible basic and specific functions of plant uncoupling proteins (pUCP)

Citation
P. Jezek et al., Possible basic and specific functions of plant uncoupling proteins (pUCP), BIOSCI REP, 21(2), 2001, pp. 237-245
Citations number
39
Categorie Soggetti
Cell & Developmental Biology
Journal title
BIOSCIENCE REPORTS
ISSN journal
01448463 → ACNP
Volume
21
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
237 - 245
Database
ISI
SICI code
0144-8463(200104)21:2<237:PBASFO>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
Evidence has been provided that the plant uncoupling proteins (pUCP) play b asic physiological roles similar to the other uncoupling protein subfamily members (mammalian UCP1,2,3,4 and BMCP) and are effective in the situations of slight uncoupling that leads to: (1) accelerated respiration and metabo lic rates that are beneficial to plant growth and development; (2) decrease d formation of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria; and, (3) mild therm ogenesis, inevitably accompanying the previous two phenomena. Hypotheticall y, specific physiological roles of pUCP such as cut off of ATP synthesis co uld be manifested in connection with climacteric respiratory rise during fr uit ripening, seed dormancy, and plant senescence. pUCP might also facilita te growth under low temperatures, e.g., during seed germination or in roots . The existence of these specific roles is suggested by the immunochemical and functional localization of pUCP in mitochondria of fruits, seeds and ro ots of various plant species.