Adenylate kinase phosphotransfer communicates cellular energetic signals to ATP-sensitive potassium channels

Transduction of energetic signals into membrane electrical events governs vital cellular functions, ranging from hormone secretion and cytoprotection to appetite control and hair growth. Central to the regulation of such diverse cellular processes are the metabolism sensing ATP-sensitive K⁺ (K_ATP) channels. However, the mechanism that communicates metabolic signals and integrates cellular energetics with K_ATP channel-dependent membrane excitability remains elusive. Here, we identify that the response of K_ATP channels to metabolic challenge is regulated by adenylate kinase phosphotransfer. Adenylate kinase associates with the K_ATP channel complex, anchoring cellular phosphotransfer networks and facilitating delivery of mitochondrial signals to the membrane environment. Deletion of the adenylate kinase gene compromised nucleotide exchange at the channel site and impeded communication between mitochondria and K_ATP channels, rendering cellular metabolic sensing defective. Assigning a signal processing role to adenylate kinase identifies a phosphorelay mechanism essential for efficient coupling of cellular energetics with K_ATP channels and associated functions.