- Master regulator of metabolism.
- Restores energy balance during metabolic stress.
- Activated by depletion in ATP supplies.
- Low glucose, heat shock, and other energy stresses.
- ATP -> donates phosphor -> ADP -> donates phosphor -> AMP.
- Energy stresses show up as changes in AMP:ATP or ADP:ATP ratios.
- Once AMP pool is formed: fork in the road.
- AMP Kinase pathway (AMPK): breakdown and burn fat, energy.
- AMP Deaminase pathway (AMPD): build and store fat, energy.
- Happens in presence of fructose (see “Fructose and Glucose“).
- AMPK restores ATP levels during metabolic stress.
- Inhibits ATP-consuming pathways, avoiding build-up of macro-molecules.
- Protein synthesis.
- Fatty acid synthesis.
- Sterol synthesis.
- Glycogen synthesis.
- Activates ATP generating pathways, breaking down macro-molecules.
- Breakdown of fatty acids: fatty acid oxidation.
- Breakdown of glucose: glycolysis.
- Glucose uptake.
- Autophagy.
- AMPK protein synthesis inhibition is mediated by direct inhibition of the mTORC1 complex.
- AMPK and mTORC1 function antithetically in the regulation of cellular metabolism.
- Ie, mTORC1 is anabolic and AMPK is catabolic.
- AMPK pathway activation potential treatment of metabolic diseases.
- Diabetes, obesity, inflammation, and cancer (inhibits cell growth and proliferation).
- Metformin partly works through AMPK activation (or AMPD inhibition).
- Inhibits ATP-consuming pathways, avoiding build-up of macro-molecules.
Source:
- “AMPK: Mechanisms of Cellular Energy Sensing and Restoration of Metabolic Balance“, Daniel Garcia and Reuben J. Shaw, Molecular Cell Review, June 15, 2017