A Highly Sensitive FRET Biosensor for AMPK Exhibits Heterogeneous AMPK Responses Among Cells and Organs

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a master regulator of cellular metabolism, is a potential target for type 2 diabetes. Although extensive in vitro studies have revealed the complex regulation of AMPK, much remains unknown about the regulation in vivo. We therefore developed transgenic mice expressing a highly sensitive fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensor for AMPK, called AMPKAR-EV. AMPKAR-EV allowed us to readily examine the role of LKB1, a canonical stimulator of AMPK, in drug-induced activation and inactivation of AMPK in vitro. In transgenic mice expressing AMPKAR-EV, the AMP analog AICAR activated AMPK in muscle. In contrast, the antidiabetic drug metformin activated AMPK in liver, highlighting the organ-specific action of AMPK stimulators. Moreover, we found that AMPK was activated primarily in fast-twitch muscle fibers after tetanic contraction and exercise. These observations suggest that the AMPKAR-EV mouse will pave a way to understanding the heterogeneous responses of AMPK among cell types in vivo.