Two possible explanations for this result are: 1) AMPK was not chronically activated with iron deficiency, or 2) iron deficiency has an overall negative impact on mitochondrial content, including transcription of all mitochondrial proteins, and chronic AMPK activation actually prevents down-regulation of the non-iron dependent enzymes, rescuing the cell from complete mitochondrial deficiency. Here, PRKAA1 is linked to Iron deficiency anemia.