A consensus has developed to support the view that an important function of uncoupling proteins is to dissipate surplus caloric energy. In preliminary studies, we have shown that leptin induces expression of uncoupling protein in both brown and white adipose tissue. Inasmuch as the capacity of adipose tissue to conduct thermogenesis and store fat is a function of the repertoire of expressed genes, we hypothesize that leptin regulates energy utilization through sympathetic modulation of uncoupling protein expression and function. Our overall objective is to define the role of these two fat cell-specific genes in regulating nutritional homeostasis and preventing the development of obesity. Commins, S. P., Thomas, S. A., Watson, P. M., Padgett, M. A., Palmiter, R., and Gettys, T. W. 1999.
Norepinephrine is required for leptin effects on gene expression in brown and white adipose tissue.
Watson, P.M., Commins, S.P., Beiler, R.J., Hatcher, H.C., and Gettys, T.W. 2000. Commins, S., Watson, P.M., Padgett, M., and Gettys, T.W. 1999. Induction of uncoupling protein expression in brown and white adipose tissue by leptin. Gettys, T. W., Seger, L. S., and Watson, P. M. 1997. Gettys, T. W., Harkness, P. J., and Watson, P. M. 1996.