Figure 6

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation inhibits anoikis through phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes 15 kDa (PEA15) Ser¹¹⁶phosphorylation. Matrix deprivation triggers apoptosis, at least in part, through the death-receptor pathway. We show that in human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) and breast cancer cells growing in suspension, matrix deprivation leads to increased phosphorylation and activation of AMPK that in turn phosphorylates PEA15 at Ser¹¹⁶, thus promoting its association with Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD) and inhibition of apoptosis.