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AMPK Regulate Mitochondrial Function
Wang Yan1#, Huang Deqiang2#, Luo Zhijun3*
1Department of Pharmacology of Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; 2Research Institute of Digestive Disease, the First Hospital of Nanchang University School of Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China;3
Abstract: AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) serves as a fuel sensor that plays important roles in regulating energy metabolisms in almost all cells under both physiological and pathological circumstances. AMPK is activated under stresses， when cells sense energy crisis concurrent with decreases in ATP levels and increases in AMP or the ratio of AMP to ATP. Some pathological conditions such as metabolic syndrome and cancer are also accompanied by deregulated energy metabolism and inhibition of AMPK. The activation of AMPK is helpful to restore physiological energy homeostasis. As such， AMPK emerges as promising therapeutic target for these disorders. The regulation of energy homeostasis by AMPK is closely related to the function of mitochondrion， which acts as an energy plant and is involved in both physiological and pathological processes. Mounting evidence has demonstrated that mitochondria can regulate AMPK activity and vice versa. AMPK also regulates mitochondria function in various aspects. In this review， we summarize recent research progress on how AMPK regulates mitochondrial biogenesis， mitophagy， intrinsic apoptosis and mitochondrion-related diseases.
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