LKB1/AMPK Pathway and Drug Response in Cancer: A Therapeutic Perspective

Table 1

Mitochondrial dynamics control by LKB1-AMPK.

Target	Role of LKB1	Biological effects
(a) Role of LKB1/AMPK in mitochondrial fission
MFF (mitochondrial fission factor)	AMPK-mediated phosphorylation	MFF phosphorylation relocalizes the cytosolic GTPase Dynamin-Related Protein 1 (DRP1) to mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial fragmentation [138]
ULK1 (Unc-51-Like Autophagy Activating Kinase 1)	AMPK-mediated phosphorylation	ULK1 phosphorylation initiates mitophagy of damaged mitochondria, providing cancer cells with an important loophole from therapy-induced cytotoxicity [139]
PGC-1α (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha)	AMPK-mediated activation	Activation of PGC-1α, the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, promotes the biogenesis of new mitochondria, in order to preserve mitochondrial network functionality [139]
(b) Role of LKB1/AMPK in mitochondrial fusion
MFN1 (Mitofusin-1)	AMPK-mediated upregulation	MFN1 mediates outer mitochondrial membrane fusion, protecting cells from mitochondrial dysfunction following a cytotoxic injury [140]
OPA1 (Optic Atrophy 1)	AMPK-mediated upregulation	OPA1 mediates inner mitochondrial membrane fusion, protecting cells from mitochondrial dysfunction following a cytotoxic injury [140]