This protein is most frequently discussed for its role in obligate hibernator mammal brown fat. It is localized in the mitochondrial inner membrane and it functions when the animal is being roused from hibernation, shutting down ATP production in mitochondria, channeling the energy produced by the organelle into heat instead. In non-hibernating mammals its role is a little mysterious.

Human & mouse uncoupling protein 1 (#UCP1:p | #SLC25A7:p)―GPMDB tissue tabbulations #proteomics #uncoupling