Re-evaluating the general(ized) roles of AMPK in cellular metabolism

Abstract

AMPK is a protein kinase activated by various cellular stresses such as glucose deprivation, hypoxia or exercise. Despite having been studied for decades only a limited number of targets have been well described in tissues as varied as liver, muscle, and adipose tissue. Recent studies have shown that AMPK does not function in a similar manner, or through identical targets, in all cellular situations, posing challenges to some accepted paradigms describing AMPK function. A combination of genetic models and cell biological analysis of AMPK function in specific cell/developmental/environmental contexts will be required to accurately complement our understanding of the role(s) of AMPK in cancer, diabetes and other diseases.