ABSTRACT
Mitochondria have evolved a sophisticated, energy-dependent feedback mechanism mediated by uncoupling proteins (UCPs) to prevent membrane peroxidation (Figure 16.1a). In 2000 Brand proposed the concept that purposeful proton uncoupling by mitochondria is essential for longevity (Brand, 2000), and recent data from his laboratory support this concept (Divakaruni and Brand, 2011; Jastroch et al., 2010). The purpose of this chapter is to develop an overview as to how purposeful uncoupling of proton gradients by uncoupling proteins at the level of the inner mitochondrial membrane is as a mechanism to prevent membrane peroxidation and enhance longevity.
