Activation of UCP1-Independent Ca2+ Cycling Thermogenesis by Wireless Optogenetics

The identification of non-canonical UCP1-independent thermogenic mechanisms offers new opportunities to target such pathways to improve metabolic health. Based on our recent studies on Ca2+ futile cycling thermogenesis in beige fat, we applied the newly developed implantable wireless optogenetic system to activate Ca2+ cycling in an adipocyte-specific manner without external stimuli, i.e., fat-specific cold mimetics. Here, we describe the detailed methodology and application to the prevention of obesity.