Uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP1) is a vital protein located in the inner membrane of mitochondria, playing a crucial role in thermogenesis, particularly in brown adipose tissue (BAT). It is a member of the mitochondrial carrier family, which is responsible for the regulation of the proton gradient. By dissipating the proton gradient, UCP1 uncouples oxidative phosphorylation, leading to the generation of heat instead of ATP.
