What is AMPK?
AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) is a heterotrimeric serine/threonine kinase that functions as the cellular energy sensor. Activates catabolic pathways and suppresses anabolic pathways when intracellular AMP/ATP ratios rise. The dominant signalling node engaged by MOTS-c.
What the research literature says
AMPK is a complex of three subunits: a catalytic α-subunit carrying the kinase domain, and two regulatory β and γ subunits. The γ-subunit contains AMP-binding sites that confer the energy-sensing function — when intracellular AMP and ADP levels rise relative to ATP, AMP binding produces a conformational change that activates the kinase. Active AMPK phosphorylates dozens of downstream substrates with the integrated effect of switching cellular metabolism from anabolic to catabolic modes.
For MOTS-c, AMPK is the dominant published downstream signalling node. The Lee characterisation work established AMPK activation as the primary mechanism driving the metabolic-homeostasis phenotype (PMID 25738459, PMID 27216708). The Yang exercise-synergy work characterised synergistic interaction between MOTS-c and exercise intervention in regulating PGC-1α expression via AMPK signalling (PMID 33722744). The Jiang neuropathic-pain work extended the AMPK-pathway framework into pain contexts (PMID 37285113).
The detailed coverage of AMPK’s role in peptide-research signalling is in the AMPK glossary entry.
Why this matters in research context
AMPK matters in peptide-research contexts primarily as the dominant downstream signalling node engaged by MOTS-c. Researchers studying MOTS-c pharmacology should anchor protocol design to AMPK-axis engagement; downstream readouts include GLUT4 trafficking (glucose uptake), acetyl-CoA carboxylase phosphorylation (fatty-acid oxidation), and PGC-1α activation (mitochondrial biogenesis).
Related compounds
- MOTS-c 10mg — AMPK is dominant signalling node
Related research questions
References
- Lee C et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab 2015;21(3):443-454. [PMID 25738459]
- Lee C et al. MOTS-c: A novel mitochondrial-derived peptide regulating muscle and fat metabolism. Free Radic Biol Med 2016;100:182-187. [PMID 27216708]
- Yang B et al. MOTS-c interacts synergistically with exercise intervention to regulate PGC-1α expression, attenuate insulin resistance and enhance glucose metabolism in mice via AMPK signaling pathway. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021;1867(6):166126. [PMID 33722744]
Research-questions pages describe research-context use of peptide-research terminology. They do not constitute medical, veterinary, or clinical advice. Every compound in the Ronin catalog is sold strictly for laboratory and research use only.