AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulates metabolic adaptations in skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to investigate whether AMPK modulates the expression of skeletal muscle genes that have been implicated in lipid and glucose metabolism under fed or fasting conditions.

Two genetically modified animal models were used: AMPK γ3 subunit knockout mice (Prkag3 ^−/−) and skeletal muscle-specific transgenic mice (Tg-Prkag3 ^225Q) that express a mutant (R225Q) γ3 subunit. Levels of mRNA transcripts of genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism in white gastrocnemius muscles of these mice (under fed or 16-h fasting conditions) were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR.

Wild-type mice displayed a coordinated increase in the transcription of skeletal muscle genes encoding proteins involved in lipid/oxidative metabolism (lipoprotein lipase, fatty acid transporter, carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 and citrate synthase) and glucose metabolism (glycogen synthase and lactate dehydrogenase) in response to fasting. In contrast, these fasting-induced responses were impaired in Prkag3 ^−/− mice. The transcription of genes involved in lipid and oxidative metabolism was increased in the skeletal muscle of Tg-Prkag3 ^225Q mice compared with that in wild-type mice. Moreover, the expression of the genes encoding hexokinase II and 6-phosphofrucktokinase was decreased in Tg-Prkag3 ^225Q mice after fasting.

AMPK is involved in the coordinated transcription of genes critical for lipid and glucose metabolism in white glycolytic skeletal muscle.