Physiological effects of manipulating AMP-activated kinase genes

Funded Activity Summary

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.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2001

End Date: 01-01-2003

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $351,110.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Genetic Technologies: Transformation, Site-Directed Mutagenesis, Etc.

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

AMP-activated protein kinase | aging | cardiovascular disease | diabetes | gene knockout | metabolic stress | obesity | protein kinase | protein phosphorylation

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