Physiological effects of manipulating AMP-activated kinase genes

AMP激活的蛋白激酶是一种代谢应激感应蛋白激酶，负责将能量供应与身体功能相匹配。在剧烈运动中，它感觉肌肉收缩引起的新陈代谢压力(能量减少)，并刺激葡萄糖摄取和脂肪燃烧来提供能量。AMP激活的蛋白激酶还调节一氧化氮的产生，而一氧化氮对控制血压和凝血很重要。减少卡路里摄入会激活AMP激活的蛋白激酶，从而抑制能量消耗活动并改变基因的表达。许多激活AMP激活的蛋白激酶的条件(运动、减少卡路里摄入量)都与健康的生活方式、延长寿命和对老年疾病的抵抗力有关，这些疾病包括心血管疾病(动脉粥样硬化、高血压)、肥胖、神经变性和糖尿病。通过在小鼠中操纵AMP激活的蛋白激酶基因，我们希望更多地了解它的关键生理作用，并为控制年龄发病疾病提供新的见解。

The AMP-activated protein kinase is a metabolic stress sensing protein kinase responsible for matching the supply of energy to the body's functions. During vigorous exercise it senses metabolic stress (reduction in energy) caused by muscle contraction and stimulates glucose uptake and burning of fat to provide energy. The AMP-activated protein kinase also regulates the production of nitric oxide that is important in controlling blood pressure and blood clotting. Reduced caloric intake activates the AMP-activated protein kinase to suppress energy consuming activities and modify the expression of genes. Many of the conditions that activate the AMP-activated protein kinase (exercise, reduced caloric intake) are associated with a healthy life style, increased longevity and resistance to age onset diseases including cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis, hypertension), obesity, neurodegeneration and diabetes. By manipulating the gene for the AMP-activated protein kinase in mice we expect to learn more about its key physiological roles and give new insight into the control of age onset diseases.