New roles for the LKB1-->AMPK pathway.
The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a sensor of cellular energy that is conserved throughout eukaryotes. It is activated by rising AMP, signifying falling energy status caused by starvation for a carbon source or other stress. Binding of AMP to the regulatory gamma subunit triggers phosphorylation of the catalytic alpha subunit by the upstream kinase LKB1, and the activated kinase switches on ATP-generating catabolic pathways while switching off ATP-requiring processes. AMPK inhibits the TOR (target of rapamycin) pathway by phosphorylating TSC2, thus inhibiting cell growth during times of stress. AMPK is also a target for adipokines that regulate energy balance at the whole-body level.
Hardie
D Grahame
DG
Division of Molecular Physiology, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 4HN, Scotland, UK. d.g.hardie@dundee.ac.uk
D000091162:AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000378:metabolism*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000378:metabolism
D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; C488755:Stk11 protein, rat; D000091162:AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases