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A BCAA–haem axis regulates brown fat function

Nature Metabolism volume 7, pages 873–874 (2025)Cite this article

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Activated brown adipose tissue takes up large amounts of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), but their fate remains unclear. We provide evidence of a metabolic link between BCAA catabolism and haem biosynthesis, which supports mitochondrial function and regulates gene expression by influencing the epigenetic landscape of brown adipocytes.

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Fig. 1: Inhibition of haem biosynthesis represses UCP1 expression, independently of haem levels.

References

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This is a summary of: Duerre, D. J. et al. Haem biosynthesis regulates BCAA catabolism and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. Nat. Metab. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-025-01253-6 (2025).

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A BCAA–haem axis regulates brown fat function. Nat Metab 7, 873–874 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-025-01266-1

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