Cited by 363Mitochondrial Function and PathologyAdipose Tissue and MetabolismATP Synthase and ATPases Research

Effect of fatty acids on energy coupling processes in mitochondria

Wojtczak, Lech, Schönfeld, Peter·1993·Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Bioenergetics

Abstract

Long-chain fatty acids are natural uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. The protonophoric mechanism of this action is due to transbilayer movement of undissociated fatty acid in one direction and the passage of its anion in the opposite direction. The transfer of the dissociated form of fatty acid can be, at least in some kinds of mitochondrion, facilitated by adenine nucleotide translocase. Apart from dissipating the electrochemical proton gradient, long-chain fatty acids decrease the activity of the respiratory chain by mechanism(s) not fully understood. In intact cells and tissues fatty acids operate mostly as excellent respiratory substrates, providing electrons to the respiratory chain. This function masks their potential uncoupling effect which becomes apparent only under special physiological or pathological conditions characterized by unusual fatty acid accumulation. Short- and medium-chain fatty acids do not have protonophoric properties. Nevertheless, they contribute to energy dissipation because of slow intramitochondrial hydrolysis of their activation products, acyl-AMP and acyl-CoA. Long-chain fatty acids increase permeability of mitochondrial membranes to alkali metal cations. This is due to their ionophoric mechanism of action. Regulatory function of fatty acids with respect to specific cation channels has been postulated for the plasma membrane of muscle cells, but not demonstrated in mitochondria. Under cold stress, cold acclimation and arousal from hibernation the uncoupling effect of fatty acids may contribute to increased thermogenesis, especially in the muscle tissue. In brown adipose tissue, the special thermogenic organ of mammals, long-chain fatty acids promote operation of the unique natural uncoupling protein, thermogenin. As anionic amphiphiles, long-chain fatty acids increase the negative surface charge of biomembranes, thus interfering in their enzymic and transporting functions.

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Crossref · 10.1016/0005-2728(93)90004-y

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Authors
Wojtczak, L., & Schönfeld, P.
Affiliations
Instytut Biologii Doświadczalnej im. Marcelego Nenckiego (PL)
Corresponding author
Wojtczak, Lech
Venue
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Bioenergetics
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1993-11
Volume
1183
Issue
1
Pages
41-57
ISSN
0005-2728 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1967880167
Cited by
363
References
200
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 8
FWCI
0.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Bioenergetics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Adipose Tissue and Metabolism
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › ATP Synthase and ATPases Research
Keywords
long-chain fatty acids, mitochondrial uncoupling, adenine nucleotide translocase, electron transport inhibition, short- and medium-chain fatty acids, acyl-CoA, mitochondrial membrane permeability, alkali metal cations, thermogenesis, brown adipose tissue, thermogenin, membrane surface charge, fatty acid accumulation
MeSH terms
Uncoupling Protein 1, Animals, Adipose Tissue, Brown, Carrier Proteins, Fatty Acids, Ion Channels, Membrane Proteins, Mitochondria, Muscles, Oxidation-Reduction, Uncoupling Agents, Mitochondrial Proteins

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