AMPK signaling to acetyl-CoA carboxylase is required for fasting- and cold-induced appetite but not thermogenesis

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a known regulator of whole-body energy homeostasis, but the downstream AMPK substrates mediating these effects are not entirely clear. AMPK inhibits fatty acid synthesis and promotes fatty acid oxidation by phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) 1 at Ser⁷⁹ and ACC2 at Ser²¹². Using mice with Ser⁷⁹Ala/Ser²¹²Ala knock-in mutations (ACC DKI) we find that inhibition of ACC phosphorylation leads to …