title: AMP-activated protein kinase activation as a strategy for protecting vascular endothelial function.
abstract: 1. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a serine/threonine protein kinase involved in the regulation of cellular and organismal metabolism. AMPK has a heterotrimeric structure, consisting of a catalytic alpha-subunit and regulatory beta- and gamma-subunits, each of which has two or more isoforms that are differentially expressed in various tissues and that arise from distinct genes. The AMPK system acts as a sensor of cellular energy status that is conserved in all eukaryotic cells. In addition, AMPK is activated by physiological stimuli and oxidants. 2. The importance of AMPK in cardiovascular functions is best demonstrated by recent studies showing that widely used drugs, including statins, metformin and rosiglitazone, execute cardiovascular protective effects at least partly through the activation of AMPK. As a consequence, AMPK has been proposed as a candidate target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of both Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome owing to its central role in the regulation of energy balance; it may also have a role in weight control. 3. In the present brief review, we summarize the recent progress of AMPK signalling and regulation focusing on vascular endothelial cells. We further hypothesize that AMPK is a dual sensor for energy and redox status within a cell and AMPK may be a therapeutic target for protecting vascular endothelial function.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA. ming-hui-zou@ouhsc.edu
authors.forename: Ming-Hui
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000378:metabolism*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases