system
Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Adenine Nucleotides, Adenylate Kinase, Animals, Carrier Proteins, Energy Metabolism, Glucose, Homeostasis, Ion Channels, Mice, Mice, Inbred Strains, Microscopy, Immunoelectron, Mitochondrial Proteins, Phenotype, Uncoupling Agents, Uncoupling Protein 3.
user
Improved glucose homeostasis in mice overexpressing human UCP3: a role for AMP-kinase? Context: An unexplained phenotype of mice overexpressing human UCP3 is their improved glucose homeostasis. Since overexpression of UCP3 might affect the energy charge of the cell, we investigated whether these mice have an increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity. Mitochondrial localisation of UCP3 was determined by immunoelectronmicroscopy and AMPK activity was measured in medial gastrocnemius of control mice and mice overexpressing human UCP3. Mice overexpressing human UCP3 had 5.8 fold higher levels of UCP3 protein, for which mitochondrial localisation was confirmed by immunoelectronmicroscopy. The ATP/AMP ratio was significantly lower in mice over-expressing UCP3 compared to the wild-type (10.9+/-1.6 vs 20.4+/-1.9 AU, P=0.03). Over-expression of UCP3 resulted in increased AMPK alpha1 activity (1.23+/-0.05 vs 1.00+/-0.06 normalized values, P=0.004) and a tendency towards increased AMPK alpha2 activity (1.18+/-0.08 vs 1.00+/-0.10 normalized values, P=0.08).
assistant
Increased AMPK activity provides a plausible explanation for the improved glucose tolerance characteristic for these mice.