biostudies-literatureLa Montagna MCancer Research UK2673-2689https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8408205biostudies-literatureUnknown28(9)AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a critical sensor of energy status that coordinates cell growth with energy balance. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) the role of AMPKα is controversial and its contribution to lung carcinogenesis is not well-defined. Furthermore, it remains largely unknown whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of AMPK-mediated pathways. Here, we found that loss of AMPKα in combination with activation of mutant KRAS^G12D increased lung tumour burden and reduced survival in Kras^LSLG12D/+/AMPKα^fl/fl mice. In agreement, functional in vitro studies revealed that AMPKα silencing increased growth and migration of NSCLC cells. In addition, we identified an AMPKα-modulated lncRNA, KIMAT1 (ENSG00000228709), wCell death and differentiationAMPKα loss promotes KRAS-mediated lung tumorigenesis.PMC8408205C5759/A20971La Montagna MShi LMagee PSahoo SFassan MGarofalo MfalseAMPKα loss promotes KRAS-mediated lung tumorigenesis.AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a critical sensor of energy status that coordinates cell growth with energy balance. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) the role of AMPKα is controversial and its contribution to lung carcinogenesis is not well-defined. Furthermore, it remains largely unknown whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of AMPK-mediated pathways. Here, we found that loss of AMPKα in combination with activation of mutant KRAS^G12D increased lung tumour burden and reduced survival in Kras^LSLG12D/+/AMPKα^fl/fl mice. In agreement, functional in vitro studies revealed that AMPKα silencing increased growth and migration of NSCLC cells. In addition, we identified an AMPKα-modulated lncRNA, KIMAT1 (ENSG00000228709), w2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Sep2025-04-18T22:27:08.658Z2025-04-07T10:13:21.652ZS-EPMC84082053404016710.1038/s41418-021-00777-0