Nuclear DNA damage-triggered ATM-dependent AMPK activation regulates the mitochondrial radiation response

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) acts as a cellular energy sensor and is essential for controlling mitochondrial homeostasis. Here, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms involved in AMPK activation to elucidate how networks of intracellular signaling pathways respond to stress conditions.

Inhibitors of ATM, DNA-PK, and AKT were tested in normal TIG-3 and MRC-5 human fibroblasts to determine which upstream kinases are responsible for AMPK activation. SV40 transformed-human ATM-deficient fibroblasts (AT5BIVA) and their ATM-complemented cells (i.e., AT5BIVA/ATMwt) were also used. Protein expression associated with AMPK signaling was examined by immunostaining and/or Western blotting.

Radiation-induced nuclear DNA damage activates ATM-dependent AMPK signaling pathways that regulate mitochondrial quality control. In contrast, hypoxia and glucose starvation caused ATP depletion and activated AMPK via a pathway independent of ATM. DNA-PK and AKT are not involved in AMPK-mediated mitochondrial signaling pathways.

Activation of the AMPK signaling pathway differs depending on the stimulus. Radiation activates AMPK through two pathways: depletion of ATP-mediated LKB1 signaling and nuclear DNA damage-induced ATM signaling. Nuclear DNA damage signaling to mitochondria therefore plays a pivotal role in determining the cell fates of irradiated cells.