Protein expression of UCP3 differs between human type 1, type 2a, and type 2b fibers

SPECIFIC AIMSHumanUCP3, predominantly expressed in skeletal muscle, plays an important role in the dissipation of energy in human energy metabolism and is therefore linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. It has been deduced from rodent studies that the extent and direction in which, for example, fatty acid levels, GLUT4 content and physical training affect UCP3 mRNA expression is muscle fiber-type specific. To explore the role of UCP3 in human energy metabolism further, we wanted to examine the abundance of protein expression of UCP3 relative to muscle fiber typology in a direct manner and at the protein level in m. vastus lateralis muscle of healthy controls and type 2 diabetics.PRINCIPAL FINDINGS1. The antibody used here specifically recognizes UCP3 in cryo-sections of human m. vastus lateralis sections as well as in whole muscle homogenatesThe UCP3 antibody was raised against a 20 amino acid (147–166 of human UCP3). Affinity purified serum was tested for specificity in immunofluorescence of H9C2 cells ...