title: Blockade of MerTK Activation by AMPK Inhibits RPE Cell Phagocytosis.
abstract: Timely removal of shed photoreceptor outer segments by retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) plays a key role in biological renewal of these highly peroxidizable structures and in maintenance of retina health. How environmental stress cause RPE cell dysfunction is undefined however. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a heterotrimer of a catalytic α subunit and regulatory β and γ subunits, maintains energy homeostasis by limiting energy utilization and/or promoting energy production when energy supply is compromised. Intriguingly, AMPK has been shown to be important in functions of RPE cells. In this mini-review, the role and mechanisms of AMPK in controlling RPE cell phagocytosis are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Retinal Disease Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Allergan, Inc., RD3-2D, 92612, Irvine, CA, USA. qinsuofu@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Suofu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Qin
mesh_terms: D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000620:Aminoimidazole Carboxamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D055214:Retinal Photoreceptor Cell Outer Segment / Q000378:metabolism; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012265:Ribonucleotides / Q000494:pharmacology; D000076202:c-Mer Tyrosine Kinase
chemical_list: D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012265:Ribonucleotides; D000620:Aminoimidazole Carboxamide; C097072:MERTK protein, human; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D000076202:c-Mer Tyrosine Kinase; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; C031143:AICA ribonucleotide
keywords: AICAR; AMPK; MerTK; Phagocytosis; RPE