CDS Region of Uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP1) Gene in Eothenomys miletus: A Bioinformatics and Selection Pressure Analysis

The present study aimed to elucidate the fundamental composition of the CDS region sequence of UCP1 gene in Eothenomys miletus, as well as the physicochemical properties, higher-order structure and structural domains of the UCP1 protein. Additionally, we analyzed the selection pressure on the UCP1 gene in mammals inhabiting different latitudes, providing a data foundation for further exploration of the UCP1 gene and its role in mammalian environmental adaptation.

The CDS region sequence of UCP1 gene was cloned using PCR and the structure and function of the UCP1 gene were characterized employing a bioinformatics platform. The UCP1 gene of Eothenomys miletus was compared with other species for sequence similarity and phylogenetic tree construction. Furthermore, selection pressure on UCP1 genes from mammals at different latitudes was analyzed.

UCP1 gene encodes a protein comprising 307 amino acids, located in the mitochondria, with a molecular formula of C₁₄₉₈H₂₄₀₂N₃₉₂O₄₃₄S₁₆. Threonine (Thr, T) is the most abundant amino acid, accounting for 11.1%. The protein is hydrophobic, positively charged, alkaline in nature and contains one potential N-glycosylation site and five O-glycosylation sites. It lacks a transmembrane region or signal peptide distribution and is a non-GPI-anchored protein. The secondary structure is predominantly composed of α-helices and random coils, featuring three Mito_carr structural domains. Homology comparisons revealed that the highest nucleotide sequence similarity exists between Eothenomys miletus and the species Myodes glareolus, Microtus oregoni and Arvicola amphibius. Selection pressure analysis indicated no positive selection sites for the UCP1 gene in mammals at different latitudes. The UCP1 gene in low-latitude, high-altitude mammals underwent purifying selection, forming a relatively stable function. These findings provided a theoretical basis for subsequent research on the mechanism of fat heat production and energy supply in the Eothenomys miletusUCP1 gene and a data foundation for further exploration of the role of the UCP1 gene in the adaptation of Eothenomys miletus to future environmental changes.