Endocrine Abstracts

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is the downstream component of a protein kinase cascade that has been proposed to act as an important regulator of both cellular and organismal energy homeostasis. Increases in the cellular AMP: ATP ratio promotes phosphorylation and activation of AMPK by the upstream kinase LKB1. AMPK subsequently phosphorylates target proteins that inhibit ATP-consuming anabolic pathways and stimulates ATP-producing catabolic pathways. AMPK is therefore ac...

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has emerged as a key regulator of energy metabolism in the heart. The high energy demands of the heart are primarily met by the metabolism of both fatty acids and glucose, both processes being regulated by AMPK. During myocardial ischemia a rapid activation of AMPK occurs, resulting in an activation of both glucose uptake and glycolysis, as well as an increase in fatty acid oxidation. This activation of AMPK has the potential to increase ene...

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a serine/threonine kinase which is evolutionally conserved from yeast to humans and is expressed in virtually all cell types including muscle, neurons and glial cells. We previously demonstrated that AMPK plays an important role in the regulation of peripheral intermediate metabolism by adipocytokines such as leptin and adiponectin, and that hypothalamic AMPK regulates food intake by responding to hormonal and nutrient signals. Our data i...

Preservation of a functional pancreatic beta cell mass is essential for normal blood glucose homeostasis. The molecular mechanisms through which beta cells sense changes in blood glucose concentration and decode these as enhanced insulin release will be discussed. I shall describe evidence that AMP-activated protein kinase is a key part of this machinery, implicated both in the acute regulation of insulin and in the regulation of beta cell apoptosis. I shall also discuss the h...