An inflammatory way to activate AMPK

Abstract

Cell Biology In its role as a sensor of energy status, the kinase AMPK is activated by phosphorylation mediated by the tumor suppressor LKB1. Antonia and Baldwin found that AMPK activation could also be mediated by a pathway involving TAK1, a kinase associated with inflammatory pathways, and its target, IKK. IKK phosphorylated AMPK independently of LKB1. Combining an IKK inhibitor with the cancer drug phenformin improved the drug's ability to kill LKB1-deficient cancer cells, highlighting a potential treatment for cancers lacking this tumor suppressor. Sci. Signal. 11 , eaan5850 (2018).