AMP-Activated Protein Kinase

Abstract

Cells with large fluctuations in energy consumption, like muscle cells, require a fine coupling between energy-demanding and energy-consuming processes. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a crucial role in this coupling. AMPK is not only important for the intracellular energy homeostasis, but it also plays a role as a second messenger for hormonal signals. Consequently, AMPK is currently considered an important target for the development of pharmacotherapies for several metabolic disorders. This review article aims to provide a short physiological and biochemical introduction to AMPK and discusses some of the possible clinical applications.