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Updated: May 19, 2026

Analysis of Cardiac Contractile Dysfunction and Ca2+ Transients in Rodent Myocytes
Published on: May 25, 2022
AMP-activated protein kinase regulation and biological actions in the heart
Vlad G Zaha1, Lawrence H Young
1Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Abstract:
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a stress-activated kinase that functions as a cellular fuel gauge and master metabolic regulator. Recent investigation has elucidated novel molecular mechanisms of AMPK regulation and important biological actions of the AMPK pathway that are highly relevant to cardiovascular disease. Activation of the intrinsic AMPK pathway plays an important role in the myocardial response to ischemia, pressure overload, and heart failure. Pharmacological activation of AMPK shows promise as a therapeutic strategy in the treatment of heart disease. The purpose of this review is to assess how recent discoveries have extended and in some cases challenged existing paradigms, providing new insights into the regulation of AMPK, its diverse biological actions, and therapeutic potential in the heart.
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