Aberrant activation of AMP-activated protein kinase contributes to the abnormal distribution of HuR in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Distorted mRNA metabolism contributes to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The human antigen R (HuR) is a major mRNA stabilizer. We report that abnormal localization of HuR was associated with enhanced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity in the motor neurons of ALS patients. Activation of AMPK changed the location of HuR in mouse motor neurons and in a motor neuron cell line via phosphorylation of importin-α1. Stimulation of the A2A adenosine receptor normalized the AMPK-evoked redistribution of HuR. This suggests that aberrant activation of AMPK in motor neurons disrupts the normal distribution of HuR, which might imbalance RNA metabolism and contribute to ALS pathogenesis.