Both mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) are linked to astrocytic mitochondrial function and implicated in MDD pathogenesis; UCP2 knockout mice display exacerbated depressive-like behaviors and impaired neurogenesis under CMS induction (Du et al., 2016). The gene discussed is UCP2; the disease is major depressive disorder.