Induction of UCP₂ mRNA by thyroid hormones in rat heart

Abstract

The possible regulation of the expression of uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) mRNA by thyroid hormones in different tissues was examined in rats. Triiodothyronine (T3) was found to produce an organ-specific enhancement of UCP2 expression in rat tissues. The effect of T3 was markedly observed in heart, whereas a moderate effect was seen in skeletal muscle 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 T3 on resting metabolic rate in the rat.