PUMPS are mitochondrial transporter proteins that create proton leaks across the inner mitochondrial membrane, thus uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation. This leads to a decrease in the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation and an increase in heat production. Is involved in protecting plant cells against oxidative stress damage and maintaining the redox balance of the mitochondrial electron transport chain to facilitate photosynthetic metabolism. May play a regulatory role during photorespiration. Widely expressed. By cold stress, high light and chloramphenicol. Slight reduction of shoot mass. Over-expression of Arabidopsis UCP1 in tobacco plants increases tolerance to oxidative stress caused by exogenous hydrogen peroxide, or by drought and salt. Belongs to the mitochondrial carrier (TC 2.A.29) family. Truncated N-terminus.