At our 2024 GCI Postdoctoral Showcase, Postdoctoral Fellow Aracely Acevedo presented a poster about the BCKDK inhibitor being a chemical uncoupler. To learn more about her research, reach out to Dr. Acevedo at aracevedo@chapman.edu.
ABSTRACT: The objective of this study, conducted at UCLA, was to investigate alternative molecular mechanisms by which BT2 may confer cardioprotection and protect from metabolic disease. We hypothesized that BT2 is a mitochondrial uncoupler based on its chemical structure as a lipophilic weak acid. We demonstrate BT2 is a mitochondrial uncoupler via measurements in respirometry, membrane potential, patch-clamp electrophysiology, fatty acid oxidation and synthesis, and superoxide production. The data suggests BT2 may exert some of its cardioprotective effects and protection from metabolic disease via mitochondrial uncoupling.
