Nature Metabolism, Published online: 25 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s42255-025-01266-1Activated 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.

Nature Metabolism, Published online: 25 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s42255-025-01253-6Inhibition of haem synthesis is shown to lead to the accumulation of branched-chain amino acids in the brown adipose tissue of mice, which reduces UCP1 levels and impairs thermogenesis.

Nature Metabolism - Inhibition of haem synthesis is shown to lead to the accumulation of branched-chain amino acids in the brown adipose tissue of mice, which reduces UCP1 levels and impairs...