AMPK (for 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase) is a heterotrimeric complex comprising a catalytic α subunit and regulatory β and γ subunits. It protects cells from stresses that cause ATP depletion by switching off ATP-consuming biosynthetic pathways. AMPK is activated by high AMP and low ATP through a mechanism involving allosteric regulation, promotion of phosphorylation by an upstream protein kinase known as AMPK kinase, and inhibition of dephosphorylation. Activated AMPK can phosphorylate and regulate in vivo hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, which are key regulatory enzymes of sterol synthesis and fatty acid synthesis, respectively. The human AMPKα1 and AMPKα2 genes encode 548 amino acid and 552 amino acid proteins, respectively. Human AMPKβ1 encodes a 271 amino acid protein and human AMPKβ2 encodes a 272 amino acid protein.