AMP-kinase mediates adaptation of glioblastoma cells to conditions of the tumour microenvironment

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a central cellular energy sensor that regulates metabolic activity. We hypothesised that in glioblastoma (GB), AMPK plays a pivotal role in balancing metabolism under conditions of the tumour microenvironment, which is characterised by fluctuating and often low nutrient and oxygen availability. Impairment of this network could thus interfere with tumour progression. AMPK activity was modulated genetically by CRISPR/Cas9-based double knockout (DKO) of the catalytic 1 and 2 subunits in human GB cells and effects were confirmed by pharmacological AMPK inhibition using BAY3827 and an inactive control compound in primary GB cell lines. We found that metabolic adaptation of GB cells under energy stress conditions (hypoxia, glucose deprivation) was dependent on AMPK and accordingly that, AMPK DKO cells were more vulnerable to glucose-deprivation or inhibition of glycolysis and sensitised to hypoxia-induced cell death. This effect was rescued by reexpression of the AMPK 2 subunit. Similar results were observed using the selective pharmacological AMPK inhibitor BAY3827. Mitochondrial biogenesis was regulated AMPK-dependently with a reduced mitochondrial mass and mitochondrial membrane potential in AMPK DKO GB cells. In vivo, AMPK DKO GB cells showed impaired tumour growth and tumour formation in CAM assays as well as in an orthotopic glioma mouse model. Our study highlights the importance of AMPK for GB cell adaptation towards energy depletion and emphasises the role of AMPK for tumour formation in vivo. Moreover, we identified mitochondria as central downstream effectors of AMPK signalling. The development of AMPK inhibitors could open opportunities for the treatment of hypoxic tumours.