The mammalian AMP-activated protein kinase complex mediates glucose regulation of gene expression in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

•We cleared yeast from all AMPK/SNF1 subunits and expressed mammalian AMPK.•Heterotrimeric AMPK complexes were functional in glucose derepression.•Mammalian AMPK was negatively regulated by different phosphatases than SNF1.•Mammalian AMPK was activated in yeast by compound 991.•Yeast will be a useful model to study regulation of AMPK.