Regulation of Cell Function by AMPK and Sirtuins: From Basic Research to Disease and Aging

Dear Colleagues,

5'-AMP-activated protein kinase, or AMPK, is a multidimensional kinase that acts as an energy sensor, in addition to regulating numerous cellular processes involved in cell survival, health and lifespan. The close partners of AMPK are the sirtuins, a family of evolutionarily conserved NAD⁺-dependent protein deacetylases that are also widely considered to be metabolic sensors.  Remarkably, there is an interaction between AMPK and sirtuins. In particular, Sirt1 mediates AMPK activity via deacetylation and the activation of the upstream AMPK kinase LKB1. In turn, the activation of AMPK can lead to either the overexpression of some sirtuins or to the stimulation of their activity through increasing the cellular NAD⁺ level. AMPK and sirtuins are activated by energy-depleting/expending conditions, such as caloric restriction or exercise, and have similar effects on such diverse processes as cellular metabolism, inflammation and mitochondrial function.

Both AMPK activity and SIRT1 abundance/activity are reduced with aging, overnutrition or physical inactivity, which may lead to numerous pathologies and diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, inflammation and cardiovascular as well as neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms regulating the activity and expression of AMPK and sirtuins may provide a basis with which to fight diseases and aging-associated malfunctions. 

Authors are invited to submit manuscripts in all areas of current AMPK or sirtuins research, with an emphasis on basic as well as translational aspects. Studies addressing age-related changes in AMPK and sirtuin signaling are explicitly encouraged. This Topical Collection welcomes up-to-date hypotheses, reviews, research articles and short communications. Clinical studies, if relevant, as well as computational modeling are also welcome.

Dr. Yury Ladilov
Dr. Muhammad Aslam
Dr. Maria Luisa Barcena
Collection Editors

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