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UCP1

Meaning

Uncoupling Protein 1, a specialized protein found exclusively in the inner mitochondrial membrane of brown adipose tissue (BAT) cells. UCP1’s unique function is to uncouple the process of oxidative phosphorylation from ATP synthesis, allowing protons to re-enter the mitochondrial matrix without passing through the ATP synthase enzyme. This mechanism directly converts the energy from the proton gradient into heat, making it the central thermogenic protein responsible for non-shivering thermogenesis.