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AMP-activated protein kinase has been shown to be a key regulator of energy homeostasis; it has also been identified as a tumor suppressor and is required for correct cell division and chromosome segregation during mitosis. The enzyme is a heterotrimer, with each subunit having more than one isoform, each encoded by a separate gene (two α, two β and three γ isoforms). In human endothelial cells, the activated kinase subunit of AMPK in the cytokinetic apparatus is α2, the minority α subunit, which co-localizes with β2 and γ2. This is the first demonstration of a trimeric complex of AMPK containing the γ2 regulatory subunit becoming selectively activated and being linked to mitotic processes. We also show that α1 and γ1, the predominant AMPK subunits, are almost exclusively localized in the cytoskeleton, while α2 and γ2 are present in all subcellular fractions, including the nuclei. These data suggest that pharmacological interventions targeted to specific AMPK subunit isoforms have the potential to modify selective functions of AMPK.

Original publication

DOI

10.4161/cc.11.5.19412

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cell cycle (Georgetown, Tex.)

Publication Date

03/2012

Volume

11

Pages

917 - 921

Addresses

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, West Wing Level 6, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Keywords

Cytoskeleton, Humans, Multienzyme Complexes, Protein Subunits, Cytokinesis, Mitosis, AMP-Activated Protein Kinases, Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells