AMPK, short for adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in cellular energy homeostasis and metabolic regulation. It is a highly conserved protein found in various organisms, including humans.
This protein kinase activates when the AMP to ATP ratio increases in response to a decrease in cellular energy levels or an increase in energy demand. AMPK is primarily involved in sensing and responding to fluctuations in intracellular adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels.
When activated, AMPK exerts its regulatory effects by phosphorylating various downstream target proteins involved in metabolic pathways. It can modulate cellular metabolism, lipid synthesis, glucose uptake, protein synthesis, and mitochondrial biogenesis. By doing so, AMPK promotes energy-producing pathways such as glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation, while inhibiting energy-consuming processes such as fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis.
AMPK is also involved in cellular responses to stresses, such as nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, and oxidative stress. Activation of AMPK in response to these stresses helps restore cellular energy balance and promotes cell survival.
Given its significant role in energy regulation, AMPK has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for various metabolic disorders, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
