Described herein are compositions capable of targeting CaMKKβ and/or AMPK alpha and formulations thereof. Also described herein are methods of using the compositions and formulations thereof. In some embodiments, the compositions capable of targeting CaMKKβ and/or AMPK alpha and formulations thereof can prevent or treat outer hair cell loss, such as that which can occur as a result of auditory or chemical insult. In some embodiments, the compositions capable of targeting CaMKKβ and/or AMPK alpha and formulations thereof can treat or prevent acquired hearing loss.

Provided are a class of pyrazolone compounds and a use thereof. In particular, a compound represented by formula I is provided, wherein the definition of each variable group is as described in the description. The compounds of formula (I) have a direct AMPK-activating activity and can significantly promote the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC of L6 myocytes and HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

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Described herein are methods and compositions related to promoting maturation of in vitro-differentiated cardiomyocytes and in vitro-differentiated neurons, and methods and compositions using the resulting cardiomyocytes and neurons.

Provided herein are methods of making a T cell comprising increasing a level of a AMPKγ2 polypeptide in the T cell wherein the T cell has the increased level of the AMPKγ2 polypeptide has an increased oxidative metabolism as compared to the control. The T cells made using these methods are included herein and can be used for increasing an immune response in a subject.

Provided are a class of pyrazolone compounds and a use thereof. In particular, a compound represented by formula I is provided, wherein the definition of each variable group is as described in the description. The compounds of formula (I) have a direct AMPK-activating activity and can significantly promote the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC of L6 myocytes and HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. ##STR00001##

Materials and methods for modulating activity of kinases such as AMPK and mTOR via the deubiquitinase, USP10, are provided herein. Also provided are materials and methods for treating clinical conditions mediated at least in part by such kinases, including obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and some cancers.

A method for screening an AMPK activator, wherein inhibition of an interaction between prohibitin and AMPK is used as an index is provided. Besides, an AMPK activator comprising, as an active ingredient, a compound inhibiting an interaction between prohibitin and AMPK, and a prohibitin-AMPK complex are also provided.

The present invention deals with heterotrimeric AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) comprising a fluorophore pair wherein the conformational change can be measured by FRET. It represents an advanced tool to screen and identify AMPK interactors in vitro and in cells in vivo. Such invention can also be considered as a reporter of the cellular energy status as it allows the spatiotemporal monitoring, in situ, of fluctuations in the ratio of AMP and ADP versus ATP.