title: Targeting AMPK for cardiac protection: opportunities and challenges.
abstract: AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulates cellular energy homeostasis and multiple biological processes in cell growth and survival, hence an attractive drug target. AMPK is a heterotrimeric protein consisting of α catalytic, β and γ regulatory subunits; two isoforms of each subunit are present in the heart. Studies using both genetic and pharmacological approaches have demonstrated important roles of AMPK in protecting the heart during ischemia/reperfusion injury as well as in pathological hypertrophy and failure. There is also emerging evidence suggesting isoform-specific function of AMPK, e.g. mutations of the γ2 subunit cause human cardiomyopathy. Thus, strategies avoiding the undesirable effects of altering γ2-AMPK activity, such as isoform selective activation of AMPK may lead to cardioprotective therapies with greater efficacy and safety. This article is part of a special issue entitled "Key Signaling Molecules in Hypertrophy and Heart Failure."
authors.affiliation: Mitochondria and Metabolism Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Maengjo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tian
mesh_terms: D000263:Adenylate Kinase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D020536:Enzyme Activators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009154:Mutation; D009206:Myocardium / Q000201:enzymology; D009928:Organ Specificity; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D020536:Enzyme Activators; D007527:Isoenzymes; D021122:Protein Subunits; D000263:Adenylate Kinase