AMPK as a Glycogen Sensor
Author Information
Author(s): Andrew McBride, Stephanos Ghilagaber, Andrei Nikolaev, D. Grahame Hardie
Primary Institution: University of Dundee
Hypothesis
AMPK may be able to sense the status of cellular energy reserves in the form of glycogen.
Conclusion
The glycogen-binding domain on AMPK β subunits allows AMPK to act as a glycogen sensor, inhibiting its activity when glycogen is bound.
Supporting Evidence
- AMPK is inhibited by glycogen, especially those with high branching content.
- Branched oligosaccharides with a single α1→6 branch are allosteric inhibitors of AMPK.
- Removal of outer chains of glycogen increases AMPK inhibition potency.
Takeaway
This study shows that AMPK can tell how much glycogen is in the cell, which helps it manage energy use.
Methodology
The study involved cloning, expressing, and purifying the glycogen-binding domain of AMPK, followed by various assays to test glycogen's inhibitory effects on AMPK activity.
Limitations
The study's findings may not fully represent physiological conditions due to the artificial nature of some glycogen preparations used.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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