The conserved family of protein kinases SNF1/AMPK/SnRK1 (yeast/mammals/plants) is considered as a central element of cell metabolism regulation by controlling both anabolism and catabolism in response to stress conditions. These proteins are complexes composed of three actors, one conferring the catalytic activity (kinase α) and two regulatory subunits (β and γ). A massive interest for the mammalian AMPK (AMP-activated Kinase) during the past two decades has underlined the extreme complexity of this signalling pathway which involves several upstream regulators and multiple targets. In plants, known SnRK1 (SNF1-Related Kinase 1) targets mainly include transcription factors inducing a massive transcriptomic reprogramming, and key metabolic enzymes such as Sucrose Phosphate Synthase and Nitrate Reductase leading, like in mammals, to the control of cellular homeostasis. However, little is known concerning their regulation. In a first axis, we focused on the search for cell components capable of influencing Arabidopsis thaliana SnRK1 activity. Using an in vitro specific peptide-based assay, we have characterized upstream inhibitors including adenylates and citrate. These data allow us to add novel elements to a physiological model where AtSnRK1 coordinates metabolism in response to adenylates and citrate concentrations.The second axis is dedicated to the upstream activating kinases SnAK1 and SnAK2. A biochemical approach with recombinant proteins and in vitro specific peptide-based assays were used to test the effects of metabolites on SnAK1 and SnAK2 activities. By using loss-of-function mutants, we further pointed out a key role for these proteins during the heterotrophic-to-autotrophic transition of the young plantlets.In addition, we have identified a novel target of SnRK1 complexes. The characterisation of the AtSnRK1-dependent phosphorylation of AtKRP6 and AtKRP7, homologous to the p27KIP1 mammalian cell cycle inhibitor, highlighted a novel link between energy homeostasis and cell proliferation in plants.The current knowledge on SnRK1 complexes and the results described above allowed us to provide a global model regarding SnRK1 functions at the whole-plant level.
