Adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase contributes to skeletal muscle health through the control of mitochondrial function

Abstract

Skeletal muscle is one of the largest organs in the body and the largest protein repository. Mitochondria are the main energy-producing organelles in cells and play an important role in skeletal muscle health and function. They participate in several biological processes related to skeletal muscle metabolism, growth, and regeneration. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a metabolic sensor and regulator of systemic energy balance. AMPK is involved in the control of energy metabolism by regulating many downstream targets. In this review, we propose that AMPK directly controls several facets of mitochondrial function, which in turn controls skeletal muscle metabolism and health. This review is divided into four parts. First, we summarize the properties of AMPK signal transduction and its upstream activators. Second, we discuss the role of mitochondria in myogenesis, muscle atrophy, regeneration post-injury of skeletal muscle cells. Third, we elaborate the effects of AMPK on mitochondrial biogenesis, fusion, fission and mitochondrial autophagy, and discuss how AMPK regulates the metabolism of skeletal muscle by regulating mitochondrial function. Finally, we discuss the effects of AMPK activators on muscle disease status. This review thus represents a foundation for understanding this biological process of mitochondrial dynamics regulated by AMPK in the metabolism of skeletal muscle. A better understanding of the role of AMPK on mitochondrial dynamic is essential to improve mitochondrial function, and hence promote skeletal muscle health and function.

Cordyceps sinensis accelerates stem cell recruitment to human skeletal muscle after exercise

“…Furthermore, the effect of adenosine on the protein kinases/phosphatase involving muscle adaptation to exercise requires more investigations from animal and cell studies to provide deeper insight into the observed effect related to muscle stem cell homing and expansion. 37…”

TGF‐β3 mediates mitochondrial dynamics through the p‐Smad3/AMPK pathway

“…The TGF‐β/Smads signalling pathway is identified as a canonical pathway involved in this regulation 55 . However, it is important to note that other signalling pathways, such as the ERK and mTOR pathways, have also been shown to interact with the AMPKα pathway 23 . Therefore, it is likely that additional pathways contribute to the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics by TGF‐β3 in chondrocytes.…”

“…22 AMPK acts as a metabolic sensor, governing mitochondrial dynamics and maintaining energy balance. 23 TGF-β3 is a highly conservative and important growth factor of the TGF superfamily. 8,24,25 TGF-β3 can affect the chondrocyte behaviours to mediate cartilage homeostasis.…”

“…The Adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling plays significant roles in mitochondrial morphology 22 . AMPK acts as a metabolic sensor, governing mitochondrial dynamics and maintaining energy balance 23 …”

“… 22 AMPK acts as a metabolic sensor, governing mitochondrial dynamics and maintaining energy balance. 23 …”