AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) cross-talks with canonical Wnt signaling via phosphorylation of β-catenin at Ser 552

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of energy metabolism; its activity is regulated by a plethora of physiological conditions, exercises and many anti-diabetic drugs. Recent studies show that AMPK involves in cell differentiation but the underlying mechanism remains undefined. Wingless Int-1 (Wnt)/β-catenin signaling pathway regulates the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells through enhancing β-catenin/T-cell transcription factor 1 (TCF) mediated transcription. The objective of this study was to determine whether AMPK cross-talks with Wnt/β-catenin signaling through phosphorylation of β-catenin. C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal cells were used. Chemical inhibition of AMPK and the expression of a dominant negative AMPK decreased phosphorylation of β-catenin at Ser 552. The β-catenin/TCF mediated transcription was correlated with AMPK activity. In vitro, pure AMPK phosphorylated β-catenin at Ser 552 and the mutation of Ser 552 to Ala prevented such phosphorylation, which was further confirmed using [γ-32P]ATP autoradiography. In conclusion, AMPK phosphorylates β-catenin at Ser 552, which stabilizes β-catenin, enhances β-catenin/TCF mediated transcription, expanding AMPK from regulation of energy metabolism to cell differentiation and development via cross-talking with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.