Kerry Brown, PhD Candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences at UW-Milwaukee, will present a talk about his research entitled, “Mitochondria and AMPK: When the Powerhouse Meets the Fuel Gauge.”

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is often referred to as the “fuel gauge” of the eukaryotic cell and is conserved in organisms as simple as yeast and as complex as humans. When energy (ATP) levels are high, AMPK is predominantly inactive. However, when energy levels drop (high AMP:ATP ratio), AMPK is activated to balance the energy “budget”. Specifically, AMPK downregulates ATP consumption (such as cell growth and proliferation), while upregulating ATP generation (such as glucose uptake and respiration). It stands to reason that the mitochondria – the “powerhouse” of the cell – should regulate AMPK. In mammals, mitochondria indirectly inhibit AMPK by producing ATP. For example, the anti-diabetic drug Metformin activates AMPK and glucose uptake by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration. To study the regulatory effects of the mitochondria on AMPK, we use baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) because this organism can survive in the complete absence of mitochondrial respiration. To our surprise, we find that mitochondrial respiration can also regulate AMPK positively rather than negatively. We present evidence that disrupting mitochondrial respiration results in changes in AMPK structure and reduces its function. Our counter-intuitive results should inform research that focuses on the medically important roles of both mitochondria and AMPK.

This presentation will begin at 4:00 PM via Microsoft Teams, preceded by an informal Q&A from 3:45 – 4:00 PM. Click here to join the presentation.