Fig. 8: Model of the AMPK-dependent activation of Cyclin Y/CDK16 for the induction of autophagy.
From: AMPK-dependent activation of the Cyclin Y/CDK16 complex controls autophagy

AMPK is activated under energy stress situations (- amino acids; - glucose) or by allosteric activators (AICAR/A769) and phosphorylates Cyclin Y at S326. This phosphorylation allows the interaction of Cyclin Y with CDK16 and stimulates the kinase activity of CDK16, as illustrated by the phosphorylation of Cyclin Y at S336. The CDK16 activity downstream of AMPK is required for the efficient induction of autophagy.