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The AMPK/SNF1/SnRK1 fuel gauge and energy regulator: structure, function and regulation
Author(s) -
Ghillebert Ruben,
Swinnen Erwin,
Wen Jing,
Vandesteene Lies,
Ramon Matthew,
Norga Koen,
Rolland Filip,
Winderickx Joris
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the febs journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.981
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1742-4658
pISSN - 1742-464X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2011.08315.x
Subject(s) - ampk , microbiology and biotechnology , kinase , protein kinase a , amp activated protein kinase , regulator , energy homeostasis , biology , catabolism , biochemistry , metabolism , receptor , gene
All life forms on earth require a continuous input and monitoring of carbon and energy supplies. The AMP‐activated kinase (AMPK)/sucrose nonfermenting1 (SNF1)/Snf1‐related kinase1 (SnRK1) protein kinases are evolutionarily conserved metabolic sensors found in all eukaryotic organisms from simple unicellular fungi (yeast SNF1) to animals (AMPK) and plants (SnRK1). Activated by starvation and energy‐depleting stress conditions, they enable energy homeostasis and survival by up‐regulating energy‐conserving and energy‐producing catabolic processes, and by limiting energy‐consuming anabolic metabolism. In addition, they control normal growth and development as well as metabolic homeostasis at the organismal level. As such, the AMPK/SNF1/SnRK1 kinases act in concert with other central signaling components to control carbohydrate uptake and metabolism, fatty acid and lipid biosynthesis and the storage of carbon energy reserves. Moreover, they have a tremendous impact on developmental processes that are triggered by environmental changes such as nutrient depletion or stress. Although intensive research by many groups has partly unveiled the factors that regulate AMPK/SNF1/SnRK1 kinase activity as well as the pathways and substrates they control, several fundamental issues still await to be clarified. In this review, we will highlight these issues and focus on the structure, function and regulation of the AMPK/SNF1/SnRK1 kinases.