AMPK as a regulatory node in cell death.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Medicine

Background:

• Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a central regulator of cellular energy homeostasis.
• Emerging evidence highlights AMPK's significant involvement in diverse regulated cell death (RCD) pathways.
• These RCD pathways include apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the regulatory functions of AMPK in distinct RCD pathways.
• To investigate the implications of AMPK in major human diseases.
• To evaluate the therapeutic potential of modulating AMPK activity for disease treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on AMPK and RCD.
• Analysis of studies linking AMPK to pathological conditions.
• Exploration of therapeutic strategies involving AMPK activators and inhibitors.

Main Results:

• AMPK plays a multifaceted role in controlling the initiation and execution of apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis.
• Dysregulation of AMPK is implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, diabetic complications, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and infectious diseases.
• Targeting AMPK offers promising therapeutic avenues for managing these diseases by modulating RCD.

Conclusions:

• AMPK is a key molecular switch integrating cellular metabolism with regulated cell death.
• Understanding AMPK's role in RCD provides critical insights into disease mechanisms.
• Pharmacological targeting of AMPK presents a viable strategy for novel therapeutic interventions in various diseases.