Minireview: The AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Cascade: The Key Sensor of Cellular Energy Status

All cells must maintain a high ratio of cellular ATP:ADP to survive. Because of the adenylate kinase reaction (2ADP ATP + AMP), AMP rises whenever the ATP:ADP ratio falls, and a high cellular ratio of AMP:ATP is a signal that the energy status of the cell is compromised. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is the downstream component of a protein kinase cascade that is switched on by a rise in the AMP:ATP ratio, via a complex mechanism that results in an exquisitely sensitive system. AMPK is switched on by cellular stresses that either interfere with ATP production (e.g. hypoxia, glucose deprivation, or ischemia) or by stresses that increase ATP consumption (e.g. muscle contraction). It is also activated…

• UO
  University of Dundee
• WT
  Wellcome Trust

  Award: QLG1-CT-2001-01488
• DU
  Diabetes UK
• EC
  European Commission