Cohen, David E.2013-10-162013Cohen, David E. 2013. New players on the metabolic stage. Adipocyte 2(1): 3-6.2162-3945http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:11179045Members of the acyl-CoA thioesterase (Acot) gene family catalyze the hydrolysis of fatty acyl-CoA thioesters. Thioesterase superfamily member (Them) 1 (synonym: Acot11) is enriched in brown adipose tissue and is markedly upregulated when mice are exposed to cold ambient temperatures. In a recent study, we demonstrated that Them1−/− mice exhibit increased energy expenditure and are resistant to diet-induced obesity and its metabolic consequences. This mini-review places these findings in the context of an emerging understanding of Them/Acot genes.en-USbrown adipose tissueliverenzymefatty acyl-CoAlipid binding proteinJournal Article2013-10-1610.4161/adip.21853