In this study, while phospho-AMPK and phospho-ACC immunoreactivities were significantly upregulated in resected PC, particularly in high-grade tumors, in vitro activation of AMPK resulted in tumor-suppressing effects (reduced proliferation, migration and invasion) regardless of the background AMPK status and culture conditions (with and without serum supplement). Here, PRKAA1 is linked to pachyonychia congenita.