Optogenetic Activation of UCP1-dependent Thermogenesis in Brown Adipocytes

Overview

Journal iScience

Publisher Cell Press

Date 2023 May 1

PMID 37123235

Authors

Chad C Doucette

Daniel C Nguyen

Davide Barteselli

Sophia Blanchard

Mason Pelletier

Devesh Kesharwani

Ed Jachimowicz

Su Su

Michele Karolak

Aaron C Brown

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Brown adipocytes are unique in that they expend energy and produce heat to maintain euthermia through expression of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1). Given their propensity to stimulate weight loss and promote resistance to obesity, they are a compelling interventional target for obesity-related disorders. Here, we tested whether an optogenetic approach could be used to activate UCP1-dependent thermogenesis in brown adipocytes. We generated brown adipocytes expressing a bacterial-derived photoactivatable adenylyl cyclase (bPAC) that, upon blue light stimulation, increases UCP1 expression, fuel uptake and thermogenesis. This unique system allows for precise, chemical free, temporal control of UCP1-dependent thermogenesis, which can aid in our understanding of brown adipocyte biology and development of therapies that target obesity-related disorders.

Citing Articles

Optogenetics Sheds Light on Brown and Beige Adipocytes.

Brown A J Cell Signal. 2023; 4(4):178-186.

PMID: 37946877 PMC: 10635576. DOI: 10.33696/signaling.4.105.

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