Doucette, C.C., et al., 2023. Optogenetic Activation of UCP1-Dependent Thermogenesis in Brown Adipocytes. ISCIENCE

Abstract
Brown adipocytes are unique in that they expend energy and produce heat to maintain euthermia through expression of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1). Given their propensity to stimulate weight loss and promote resistance to obesity, they are a compelling interventional target for obesity-related disorders. Here, we tested whether an optogenetic approach could be used to directly activate UCP1-dependent thermogenesis in brown adipocytes. We generated brown adipocytes expressing a bacterial-derived photoactivatable adenylyl cyclase (bPAC) that, upon blue light stimulation, increases UCP1 expression,  fuel uptake and thermogenesis. This unique system allows for precise, chemical free, temporal control of  UCP1-dependent thermogenesis, which can aid in our understanding of brown adipocyte biology and development of therapies that target obesity-related disorders.

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