Uncoupling Proteins as Therapeutic Targets for Neurodegenerative Diseases.

ABSTRACT: Most of the major retinal degenerative diseases are associated with significant levels of oxidative stress. One of the major sources contributing to the overall level of stress is the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by mitochondria. The driving force for ROS production is the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. This gradient can be modulated by members of the uncoupling protein family, particularly the widely expressed UCP2. The overexpression and knockout studies of UCP2 in mice have established the ability of this protein to provide neuroprotection in a number of animal models of neurological disease, including retinal diseases. The expression and activity of UCP2 are controlled at the transcriptional, translational and post-translational levels, making it an

SUBMITTER: Barnstable CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9144266 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature