Transgenic Non-Human UCP2 Knockout Mouse (BIDMC 328)

Category:    Research Tools

KeyWords:  Animal Model;  Metabolic Diseases;  

BIDMC ID:    328

Abstract:

The protein UCP2 (uncoupling protein 2) has been shown to play a major role in the link between obesity and diabetes. UCP2 mediates mitochondrial proton leak, resulting in decreased ATP production. It has previously been shown in the literature that UCP2 is widely expressed in a number of tissues including pancreatic beta cells. Experiments in cell culture showed that overexpression of UCP2 inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. However, the physiologic function of endogenous levels of UCP2 in the regulation of insulin secretion was unclear. Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in collaboration with researchers at U. of Prince Edward Island and U. of Toronto have developed and characterized the UCP2 knockout mice. Their research demonstrated that UCP2-deficient mice had increased levels of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Importantly, in ob/ob mice (a model of obesity-induced diabetes) lacking UCP2, insulin secretion was restored resulting in increased serum insulin levels and greatly decreased levels of glycemia. Therefore, UCP2 is an attractive target for therapies for type 2 diabetes.

Inventor:   Bradford Lowell and Chen-Yu Zhang (BIDMC), Catherine Chan (U. of Prince Edward Island), and Michael Wheeler (U. of Toronto)

Commercial Opportunity:

A non-exclusive license is available for the use of UCP2 knockout mice as described and claimed by the patents listed below. The mice are valuable as a research tool for validating potential UCP2 inhibitors.

Competitive Advantages:

For research directed towards the identification of UCP2-specific inhibitors, the UCP2 knockout mice are useful in control experiments to demonstrate that any physiological effects (e.g., an increase in insulin secretion) of a candidate inhibitor are due to the specific inhibition of UCP2 activity.

Related Publications:

Cell (105:745-755, 2001)

State of Development:

Related Technology URL:

Patent Status:

U.S. patent number 6,365,796 B1 issued April 2, 2002.  PCT patent application pending.

TVO Contact Info:
     Stanley C Mah
     Senior Associate TVO
     smah@bidmc.harvard.edu
     Phone: 617-667-0573   Fax: 617-667-0646

     Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
     Technology Ventures Office  Room: BR-0200
     330 Brookline Avenue
     Boston, MA 02215