Molecular insights into AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mediated regulation of anoikis resistance

Abstract

Our study identifies negative cross-talk between AMPK and two important cellular kinases, Akt and Erk. AMPK-mediated inhibition of these two kinases promotes survival of cancer cells in the matrix-deprived condition. Activated AMPK leads to upregulation of several metabolic changes needed for the conservation of energy. Collectively, AMPK activation, in the context of matrix deprivation, promotes cell survival by effecting multiple nodes of cell signaling and metabolic pathways. Thus, inhibition of AMPK would be an effective way to compromise cell survival in matrix deprivation, thereby reducing the metastatic spread of cancer