• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.170-175
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• 2019

Objective: Uncoupling protein 3 gene (UCP3) is a candidate gene associated with the meat quality of pigs. The aim of this study was to explore the regulation mechanism of UCP3 expression and provide a theoretical basis for the research of the function of porcine UCP3 gene in meat quality. Methods: Bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) were used to analyze the methylation of UCP3 5′-flanking region and UCP3 mRNA expression in the adipose tissue or skeletal muscle of three pig breeds at different ages (1, 90, 210-day-old Putian Black pig; 90-day-old Duroc; and 90-day-old Dupu). Results: Results showed that two cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG) islands are present in the promoter region of porcine UCP3 gene. The second CpG island located in the core promoter region contained 9 CpG sites. The methylation level of CpG island 2 was lower in the adipose tissue and skeletal muscle of 90-day-old Putian Black pigs compared with 1-day-old and 210-day-old Putian Black pigs, and the difference also existed in the skeletal muscle among the three 90-day-old pig breeds. Furthermore, the obvious changing difference of UCP3 mRNA expression was observed in the skeletal muscle of different groups. However, the difference of methylation status and expression level of UCP3 gene was not significant in the adipose tissue. Conclusion: Our data indicate that UCP3 mRNA expression level was associated with the methylation status of UCP3 promoter in the skeletal muscle of pigs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.155-158
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• 2011

Uncoupling protein (UCP) 3 has a number of proposed roles in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism. A number of polymorphisms in the human UCP3 gene have been identified, and the correlation with obesity related phenotypes evaluated. The objective of this study was to identify SNP in porcine UCP3 gene and to investigate the effect of the SNP on economic traits. The sequencing analysis method was used to identify nucleotide polymorphisms at position 1405 bp (Genebank accession No : AY739704) in porcine UCP3 gene. The SNP (G150R), located in the exon 3, changed the amino acid to glycine (GGG) from arginine (AGG). This G150R showed three genotypes - GG, GR and RR - by digestion with the restriction enzyme Sma Ⅰ using the PCR-RFLP method. The G150R showed significant effects only on back fat (P<0.05). Animals with the genotype GG had significantly higher back fat thickness (1.358 cm) than animals with the genotype GR (1.288 cm, P<0.05) and RR (1.286 cm, P<0.05). However, the genotypes had no significant association with ADG and days to 90kg. According to results of this study, a G allele of the G150R was found to have a significant effect on back fat thickness. It will be possible to use SNP markers on selected pigs to improve backfat thickness, an important economic trait.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.239-244
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• 2005

Uncoupling protein(UCP) is expressed exclusively in brown adipose tissue(BAT). It is blown to uncouple phosphorylation from oxidation and hence to be involved in energy metabolism and heat production, especially under cold exposure. In the present study, we identified single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) in exon 3 of avUCP gene in Korean native chicken(KNC) population. It was detected a SNP T+1316C in exon 3 of avUCP gene by sequence analysis in KNC population. For PCR-RFLP analysis of the SNP T+1316C, used by AP III restriction enzyme. The result of PCR-RFLP analysis showed that allele T has two fragments of 255 bp and 86 bp, and allele C has only one fragment of 341 bp. The genotype frequencies were TT type, 0.7875; TC type, 0.1875 and CC type, 0.025; and the frequencies of allele T and C were 0.881 and 0.119, respectively in KNC population. Next study was conducted to investigate the effect of the SNP in avUCP gene on economic traits in the KNC population. The TT genotype had a significant higher daily percent lay(84.61) than CC genotype(p<0.05) in KNC population. This study may be useful for genetic studies of avCUP gene and selection on daily percent lay of KNC.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.589-599
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• 2019

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer is known as a conventional herbal medicine, and ginsenoside Rg1, a steroid glycoside, is one of its components. Although Rg1 has been proved to have an antiobesity effect, the mechanism of this effect and whether it involves adipose browning have not been elucidated. Methods: 3T3-L1 and subcutaneous white adipocytes from mice were used to access the thermogenic effect of Rg1. Adipose mitochondria and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Protein level and mRNA of UCP1 were also evaluated by Western blotting and realtime polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results: Rg1 dramatically enhanced expression of brown adipocyte-especific markers, such as UCP1 and fatty acid oxidation genes, including carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1. In addition, it modulated lipid metabolism, activated 5' adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase, and promoted lipid droplet dispersion. Conclusions: Rg1 increases UCP1 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis in 3T3-L1 and subcutaneous white adipose cells isolated from C57BL/6 mice. We suggest that Rg1 exerts its antiobesity effects by promoting adipocyte browning through activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2002

A mutation in the promoter region of uncoupling protein 3 (UCF3), specifically the -55C longrightarrow T transition, may influence an individual's energy metabolism and body weight. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a weight reduction program on endocrine functions and body fat distribution, related to UCP3 promoter genotype. Ninety overweight pre-menopausal female subjects participated in the weight reduction program at Yonsei University Hospital, and were placed on a calorie-restricted diet (300 kcal less than their daily requirements) for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, all subjects on the program lost approximately 5% of their initial body weights and had lower Body Mass Index (BMI) values. Among the 90 women, 56 had a normal (without mutation) UCP3 genotype, while 34 women had mutations in the promoter region of UCP3. Despite similar weight reductions in both groups, a significantly higher decrease in abdominal adipose tissue was observed in the normal UCP3 genotype group, compared to the group with mutations. In particular, there was a significant reduction of fat at the lumbar 1 (Ll) level in the without-mutation group. Serum levels of total cholesterol, apolipoprotein Al were significantly decreased in the without-mutation group, by 4.4% and 5.7% respectively. Serum levels of hormones were not significantly changed in both groups artier the intervention. However, in the group without the mutations, the leptin level significantly reduced by 23.4% (p<0.001). Serum free fatty acid (FFA) concentration was significantly increased in the group with mutation following the weight reduction program. On the other hand, FFA responses were shown similar increases in both groups. In conclusion, although no difference was found in the magnitude of weight reduction in both groups, there were significant differences in body fat distribution and in endocrine function between the groups.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2009

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of fasting and high-fat diet feeding on uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) mRNA levels, uncoupling the respiratory chain and producing heat, of skeletal muscle in rat. METHODS. Fasting experiment: Forty Male Sprague-Dawley rats (5 wk) were divided into non-fasting groups (CON) and fasting groups (FG) for 0 day, 0.5 day (12 hr), 1 day, 2 day and 3 day. The rats of CON were sacrificed at 0 and 3 day. High-fat diet experiment: Forty Male Sprague-Dawley rats (5 wk) were divided into low-fat diet groups (LF) and high-fat diet group feeding for 0 day, 0.5 day (12 hr), 1 day, 2 day and 3 day. The rats of LF were sacrificed at 0 and 3 day. Analysis: Analysis of UCP3 mRNA expression was used by Real-time PCR. RESULTS. UCP3 mRNA levels of FG group were increased according to time course for 2 days- fasting but decreased at 3 day-fasting. UCP3 mRNA of HF were increased during HF diet feeding for 2 day, and peaked at 1 day-HF feeding, but decreased 2 day and 3 day-HF feeding CONCLUSION. Therefore, it may be rational that UCP3 is up-regulation when a large amount of fatty acids influx occurs in skeletal muscles as well as might have a role for fine adjustments of energy expenditure.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1065-1070
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• 2006

The avian uncoupling protein (avUCP) is a member of the mitochondrial transporter superfamily that uncouples proton entry in the mitochondrial matrix from ATP synthesis. The sequencing analysis method was used to identify nucleotide polymorphisms within the avUCP gene in Korean native chicken (KNC). This study identified ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the avUCP gene. We analyzed the SNPs of the avUCP gene to investigate whether polymorphism in the gene might be responsible for quantitative variations in economic traits in KNC. Three significant polymorphic sites for economic traits were avUCP C+282T (mean body weight, p<0.05), avUCP C+433T (daily percent lay, p<0.05), and avUCP T+1316C (daily percent lay, p<0.05). The frequency of each SNP was 0.125 (C+282T in avUCP gene exon 1 region), 0.150 (C+433T in avUCP gene intron 1 region), and 0.15 (T+1316C in avUCP gene exon 3 region), respectively. Among the identified SNPs, one pair of SNPs (genotype CC, C+282T and TT, avUCP C+433T) showed the highest daily percent lay (p<0.05) and mean body weight (p<0.05) and the frequency was 0.067. This study of the avUCP gene could be useful for genetic studies of this gene and selection on economic traits for KNC.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.530-536
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• 2011

It is well established that uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) is expressed largely in skeletal muscle, white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue and has been suggested to play important roles in regulating energy expenditure, body weight, thermoregulation as well as fatty acid metabolism and obesity. Therefore, the UCP3 gene was selected as a candidate gene for carcass and meat quality traits in Korean cattle. The objective of this study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the UCP3 gene and to evaluate the association of UCP3 SNP markers with carcass and meat quality traits in Korean cattle. The five exons in the UCP3 gene were sequenced, and ten SNPs were identified. The PCR-SSCP method was then developed to genotype the individuals examined. The g.3076A>G genotype was significantly associated with marbling score (MS) of Korean cattle. Animals with the AA genotype had a higher MS than those with the AG and GG genotypes. No significant associations of the SNP g.3076A>G were observed for any traits. In conclusion, although SNP g.3076A>G, which showed an association with MS, does not cause amino acid changes, this SNP may be used as a DNA marker to select animals that have higher intramuscular fat content.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.279-284
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• 2005

Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) plays a major role in thermogenesis, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of A-3826G polymorphism of UCP-1 gene on body fat distribution. Two hundred forty eight Korean female overweight subjects with BMI more than 25 kgfm2 participated in this study. The areas of abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat of all subjects were measured from computed tomography cross sectional pictures of the umbilical region. Subcutaneous fat areas of upper and lower thigh were also measured. Body composition was measured by bio-impedance analysis, and serum concentrations of biochemical parameters, such as glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol etc, were also measured. Genotype of UCP-1 was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. The frequencies of UCP-1 genotypes were AA type; $27.8\%,\;AG\;type;\;51.2\%\;and\;GG\;type;\;21.0\%,$ and the frequency of G allele was 0.47. Body weight, BMI, WHR, SBP, DBP and body compositions were not significantly different by UCP-1 genotype. Abdominal visceral fat area was significantly higher in AG and GG type compared with AA type (p=0.009), but subcutaneous fat areas were not significantly different by UCP-1 genotype. Among biochemical parameters, LDL cholesterol level was significantly higher in GG type compared with AA and AG types (p=0.033). Among all subjects, 121 subjects finished 1 month weight loss program containing hypocaloric diet and exercise. The reduction of body weight and BMI were lower in GG type compared with AA/AG type even though statistical significances were not found (p > 0.05). These results suggest that UCP-1 genotype has a significant effect on visceral fat accumulation among Korean female overweight subjects with BMI more than $25\;kg/m^2$.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2004

A rainbow trout uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) cDNA clone, encoding a 310 amino acid protein, was cloned and sequenced from a liver cDNA library. Two different splice variants designated UCP3-vl and UCP3-v2, were identified through liver cDNA library screening using rainbow trout UCP3 cDNA clone as a probe. UCP3-vl has 3 insertions in the UCP3 cDNA: the first insertion (133 bp), the second (141 bp), and the third (370 bp) were located 126 bp, 334 bp and 532 bp downstream from the start codon, respectively. UCP3-v2 contained a single insertion, identical in sequence and location to the second insertion of UCP3-vl. UCP3, a mitochondrial protein, functions to modulate the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation. UCP3 has been detected from heart, testis, spinal cord, eye, retina, colon, muscle, brown adipose tissue and white adipose tissue in mammalian animals. Human and rodent UCP3s are highly expressed in skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue, while they show weak expression of UCP3 in heart and white adipose tissue. In contrast to mammalian studies, RT-PCR and Southern blot analysis of the rainbow trout demonstrated that UCP3 is strongly expressed in liver and heart. UCP3, UCP3-vl, and UCP3-v2 all contain an Ava III short interspersed element (SINE), located in the 3'untraslated region (UTR). PCR using primers from the Ava III SINE and the UCP3 3'UTR region indicates that the UCP3 cDNA is structurally conserved among salmonids and that these primers may be useful for salmonid species genotyping.