M1-linked ubiquitination by LUBAC regulates AMPK signalling and the response to energetic stress

Journal article

Methionine-1 (M1)-linked ubiquitin chains, assembled by the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC) and disassembled by the deubiquitinase OTULIN, are critical regulators of inflammation and immune homoeostasis. Genetic loss or mutation of the LUBAC subunits HOIP and HOIL-1 or of OTULIN causes autoinflammatory syndromes accompanied by metabolic defects, including amylopectinosis, lipodystrophy, and fatty liver disease. Yet, it remains unclear how LUBAC and OTULIN control metabolic signalling. Here, we demonstrate that LUBAC and OTULIN dynamically regulate the energy-sensing kinase AMPK, a central sensor and switch for cellular and organismal energy balance. LUBAC's activity through the catalytic subunit HOIP is required for full AMPK activation in response to energetic stress, whereas OTULIN antagonises this response. LUBAC and OTULIN form a complex with AMPK, and LUBAC can directly ubiquitinate AMPKα and β subunits in cells and in vitro, establishing AMPK as a bona fide M1-linked ubiquitin substrate. Loss of LUBAC blunts AMPK activation, reduces bioenergetic adaptability, impairs autophagy, and sensitises cells to starvation-induced death, while Drosophila lacking Lubel - the fly orthologue of LUBAC - exhibit defective AMPK activation and reduced survival during starvation. Our findings identify M1-linked ubiquitination as a previously unrecognised regulatory layer controlling AMPK activation, metabolic adaptability, and the cellular response to energetic stress.

Authors: Elbæk, CR; Gradinaru, S; Dahlström, AM; Frueh, A; Jahan, AS

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer Nature [academic journals on nature.com]
• Journal: Cell Death & Differentiation
• Pages: 1-21
• Publication date: 2026-02-13
• Acceptance date: 2026-01-21
• DOI: 10.1038/s41418-026-01675-z
• EISSN: 1476-5403
• ISSN: 1350-9047
• Language: English
• Keywords: AMPK; Ubiquitin; Signal transduction; Protein subunit; Protein kinase A; Deubiquitinating enzyme; AMP-activated protein kinase; Ubiquitin ligase