Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are transmembrane proteins members of the mitochondrial anion transporter family present in the mitochondrial inner membrane. Currently, six homologs have been identified (UCP1-6) in mammals, with ubiquitous tissue distribution and multiple physiological functions. UCPs are regulators of key events for cellular bioenergetic metabolism, such as membrane potential, metabolic efficiency, and energy dissipation also functioning as pivotal modulators of ROS production and general cellular redox state. UCPs can act as proton channels, leading to proton re-entry the mitochondrial matrix from the intermembrane space and thus collapsing the proton gradient and decreasing the membrane potential. Each homolog exhibits its specific functions, from thermogenesis to regulation of ROS production. The expression and function of UCPs are intimately linked to diabesity, with their dysregulation/dysfunction not only associated to diabesity onset, but also by exacerbating oxidative stress-related damage. Male infertility is one of the most overlooked diabesity-related comorbidities, where high oxidative stress takes a major role. In this review, we discuss in detail the expression and function of the different UCP homologs. In addition, the role of UCPs as key regulators of ROS production and redox homeostasis, as well as their influence on the pathophysiology of diabesity and potential role on diabesity-induced male infertility is debated.

B I o N o m I A E C o m P o r t A m E N t oResumo. Importante parcela da produção de citros no estado Pará é plantada em Sistema Agroflorestal (SAF), que apresenta, dentre os principais problemas fitossanitários, a mosca-negra-dos-citros que em ataques severos acarretam redução estimada de 80% na produção. Além de se constitui praga quarentenária presente ou A2 de alerta máximo. Dada a relevância desse inseto sugador e a falta de conhecimentos básicos, bem como estudos da praga associados a plantios agroflorestais, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar a influência de fatores abióticos na infestação de mosca negra em plantio de citros em sistema agroflorestal no estado do Pará. O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido em área localizada no município de Capitão Poço, mesorregião do Nordeste Paraense. Fez-se 12 amostragens avaliando-se a presença ou ausência de ninfas e/ou adultos vivos de Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby. Fez-se análise de correlação para avaliar os parâmetros abióticos (temperatura e precipitação) e mapas de Krigagem para avaliar o efeito do sombreamento das plantas de teca na infestação da praga em estudo. Dentre os principais resultados obtidos, verificou-se a infestação da praga em todos os meses avaliados; houve influência da temperatura na regulação da população de mosca-negra-dos-citros e precipitações elevadas reduziram o número de plantas com presença de A. woglumi. Ainda, pode-se inferir que às infestações da mosca-negra-dos-citros apresentam preferência por intensidade moderada de sombreamento, no entanto, as mudanças ocasionadas pela introdução de espécies florestais em cultivos agrícolas, devem ser melhor investigadas. Palavras-chave: Aleyrodidae; Citrus sinensis; Sombreamento; Tectona grandis Abiotic Factors Influence on Citrus Blackfly (Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby) Infestation on CitrusPlanting by Agroforestry System at Pará State.Abstract. An important part of citrus production at Pará state is planted by Agroforestry System (AFS), that presents, amongst major phytosanitary problems, the citrus blackfly, that by severe attacks cause estimated redution of 80% in its' production. Beside that, it constitutes a quarentenary pest of maximun alert level A2. Given the relevance of this sucking insect and the lack of basic knowledge, as well pest studies associated to agroforestry planting, the objective of this study was to evaluate the abiotic factors influence on blackfly infestation in citrus planting by agroforestry planting at Pará state. This study was carried out at Capitão Poço county, northeast mesoregion of Pará. 12 samplings were made evaluating the presence or abscence of Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby alive nymphs and/or adults. Correlation analisys was carried out to evaluate abiotic parameters (temperature and precipitation) and kriging maps to evaluate Teca plants shading effects on the pest under study infestation. Amongst the main results obtained, there was pest infestation in every evaluated moth; there was temperature influence onto citrus blackfly population regulation a...

-Damage caused by the ant Azteca barbifex (Forel) was identifi ed in orange trees (Citrus sinensis), in Capitão Poço County, Guamá microregion, Pará State. The damage caused by the scraping of stems and branches lead to reduction in yield with subsequent death of the plant. These characteristics indicate A. barbifex as a potential pest of citrus crops in the eastern region of Amazon.

Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are central in the regulation of mitochondrial activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. High oxidative stress is a major cause of male infertility; however, UCPs expression and function in human spermatozoa are still unknown. Herein, we aimed to assess the expression and function of the different homologs (UCP1-6) in human spermatozoa. For this purpose, we screened for the mRNA expression of all UCP homologs. Protein expression and immunolocalization of UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 were also assessed. Highly motile spermatozoa were isolated from human normozoospermic seminal samples (n = 16) and incubated with genipin, an inhibitor of UCPs (0, 0.5, 5, and 50 µM) for 3 h at 37 °C. Viability and total motility were assessed. Mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS production were evaluated. Media were collected and the metabolic profile and antioxidant potential were analyzed by 1H-NMR and FRAP, respectively. The expression of all UCP homologs (UCP1-6) mRNA by human spermatozoa is herein reported for the first time. UCP1-3 are predominant at the head equatorial segment, whereas UCP1 and UCP2 are also expressed at the spermatozoa midpiece, where mitochondria are located. The inhibition of UCPs by 50 µM genipin, resulting in the UCP3 inhibition, did not compromise sperm cell viability but resulted in irreversible total motility loss that persisted despite washing or incubation with theophylline, a cAMP activator. These effects were associated with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and lactate production. No differences concerning UCP3 expression, however, were observed in spermatozoa from normozoospermic versus asthenozoospermic men (n = 6). The inhibition of UCPs did not increase ROS production, possibly due to the decreased mitochondrial activity and genipin antioxidant properties. In sum, UCPs are major regulators of human spermatozoa motility and metabolism. The discovery and characterization of UCPs’ role in human spermatozoa can shed new light on spermatozoa ROS-related pathways and bioenergetics physiology.

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