AMPK Alpha

AMPK Alpha

Introduction

Ampk Alpha is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

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<div class="infobox infobox-protein">
|+ AMPK Alpha
! Protein Name
| AMPK Alpha
! Gene
| [PRKAA1](/genes/prkaa1)
! UniProt ID
| [Q9NPJ3](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9NPJ3)
! PDB IDs
| 4CFE, 4R3C
! Molecular Weight
| 62.3 kDa
! Subcellular Localization
| Cytoplasm
! Protein Family
| AMPK family
</div>

Overview

AMPK Alpha (PRKAA1) is a protein involved in cellular signaling and molecular processes. It is expressed in various tissues including the brain and plays roles in neuronal function and disease mechanisms.

Structure

AMPK has a catalytic kinase domain and regulatory subunits.

Normal Function

AMPK is an energy sensor that activates when cellular ATP is low. It promotes catabolism (glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation) and inhibits anabolism (protein synthesis, lipogenesis). AMPK is activated by exercise and metformin.

Role in Disease

AMPK activation is neuroprotective in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease models.

Therapeutic Targeting

AMPK Alpha

Introduction

Ampk Alpha is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

.infobox .infobox-protein
{
float: right;
width: 300px;
padding: 10px;
background: #f8f9fa;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
border-radius: 4px;
margin: 10px;
}

.infobox .infobox-protein th
{
background: #28a745;
color: white;
padding: 8px;
}

.infobox .infobox-protein td
{
padding: 6px;
}

<div class="infobox infobox-protein">
|+ AMPK Alpha
! Protein Name
| AMPK Alpha
! Gene
| [PRKAA1](/genes/prkaa1)
! UniProt ID
| [Q9NPJ3](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9NPJ3)
! PDB IDs
| 4CFE, 4R3C
! Molecular Weight
| 62.3 kDa
! Subcellular Localization
| Cytoplasm
! Protein Family
| AMPK family
</div>

Overview

AMPK Alpha (PRKAA1) is a protein involved in cellular signaling and molecular processes. It is expressed in various tissues including the brain and plays roles in neuronal function and disease mechanisms.

Structure

AMPK has a catalytic kinase domain and regulatory subunits.

Normal Function

AMPK is an energy sensor that activates when cellular ATP is low. It promotes catabolism (glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation) and inhibits anabolism (protein synthesis, lipogenesis). AMPK is activated by exercise and metformin.

Role in Disease

AMPK activation is neuroprotective in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease models.

Therapeutic Targeting

Metformin activates AMPK and is being studied for neuroprotection. AICAR is an AMPK activator used in research.

Background

The study of Ampk Alpha has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.

Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.

References

References

• Hardie DG (2011) AMPK: a target for drugs. J Clin Invest 121(1):44-52. PMID: 21218081(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/21218081/)
• Carling D et al. (2012) AMPK: the heat shock response. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 13(10):e1. PMID: 22982914(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/22982914/)
• Salminen A et al. (2016) AMPK in neurodegenerative diseases. J Mol Neurosci 59(3):330-338. PMID: 26868680(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/26868680/)
• Vingtdeux V et al. (2011) AMPK and Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 121(2):175-191. PMID: 20972429(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/20972429/)
• Greco SJ et al. (2011) AMPK in Parkinson's disease. Exp Neurol 227(2):296-301. PMID: 21145891(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/21145891/)
• Saavedra LG et al. (2020) AMPK activation and neuroprotection. Neuropharmacology 170:107991. PMID: 32032688(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/32032688/)
• Wang Y et al. (2012) AMPK and mitochondrial biogenesis. Neurobiol Aging 33(5):1002.e17-1002.e31. PMID: 21450120(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/21450120/)
• Marinangeli C et al. (2018) AMPK in synaptic plasticity. J Neurochem 147(5):576-599. PMID: 30358099(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/30358099/)

References

References

• Hardie DG (2011) AMPK: a target for drugs. J Clin Invest 121(1):44-52. PMID: 21218081(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/21218081/)
• Carling D et al. (2012) AMPK: the heat shock response. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 13(10):e1. PMID: 22982914(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/22982914/)
• Salminen A et al. (2016) AMPK in neurodegenerative diseases. J Mol Neurosci 59(3):330-338. PMID: 26868680(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/26868680/)
• Vingtdeux V et al. (2011) AMPK and Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 121(2):175-191. PMID: 20972429(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/20972429/)
• Greco SJ et al. (2011) AMPK in Parkinson's disease. Exp Neurol 227(2):296-301. PMID: 21145891(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/21145891/)
• Saavedra LG et al. (2020) AMPK activation and neuroprotection. Neuropharmacology 170:107991. PMID: 32032688(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/32032688/)
• Wang Y et al. (2012) AMPK and mitochondrial biogenesis. Neurobiol Aging 33(5):1002.e17-1002.e31. PMID: 21450120(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/21450120/)
• Marinangeli C et al. (2018) AMPK in synaptic plasticity. J Neurochem 147(5):576-599. PMID: 30358099(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih/30358099/)

See Also

• AMPK Alpha gene
• [Proteins Index](/proteins)
• [Cell Types Index](/cell-types)

External Links

• [UniProt: Q9NPJ3](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9NPJ3)
• [NCBI Gene](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/)