§ Glossary · biology

AMPK

A cellular energy sensor — activated when ATP drops, promotes catabolic / energy-restoring pathways.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is the cell's primary energy sensor. It's activated when AMP/ATP ratio rises (cellular energy stress) and triggers catabolic pathways: glucose uptake, fatty-acid oxidation, mitochondrial biogenesis, autophagy. AMPK opposes mTOR — the two together form the central 'starve vs feed' metabolic decision-axis. Pharmacological AMPK activators (metformin, AICAR) and exercise both produce health benefits substantially through AMPK activation. MOTS-c is a research peptide that activates AMPK directly, which is the mechanistic appeal in metabolic-aging research.

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