title: AMPK: a metabolic switch for CD8+ T-cell memory.
abstract: Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a serine/threonine kinase and is crucial for cellular energy homeostasis. The exact role of AMPK during memory CD8(+) T-cell differentiation, a process that changes from the metabolically active state of effector T cells to one of quiescence in memory cells is not well understood; however, a report by Cantrell and colleagues [Eur. J. Immunol. 2013. 43: 889-896] in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology shows that AMPK, by sensing glucose stress, is an important upstream molecule of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 for memory CD8(+) T-cell differentiation. This study provides new insights into how AMPK monitors energy stress to control effector and memory CD8(+) T-cell formation as discussed in this Commentary.
authors.affiliation: Emory Vaccine Center and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Araki
authors.forename: Rafi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D007156:Immunologic Memory
chemical_list: C548179:Prkaa1 protein, mouse; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; D005947:Glucose