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AMPK

Meaning

AMPK stands for Adenosine Monophosphate-activated Protein Kinase, a crucial cellular energy sensor and metabolic master switch found in all eukaryotic cells. This enzyme monitors the ratio of AMP to ATP, essentially acting as the cell’s fuel gauge to maintain energy homeostasis across various tissues. When cellular energy stores are depleted, AMPK becomes activated, initiating catabolic processes to generate ATP while simultaneously halting energy-consuming anabolic processes like lipid synthesis.