What Impact Does PGC-1α Have on Brown Adipose Tissue?
In brown adipose tissue (BAT), PGC-1α is essential for the thermogenic program. It upregulates the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), which dissipates the proton gradient in mitochondria to generate heat instead of ATP. This process is crucial for thermoregulation and energy expenditure, particularly in response to cold exposure.