Metformin mediated AMPK activation leads to an inhibition of mTOR signaling, a reduction in phosphorylation of its major down-stream effectors, the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs) and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (SK6Ks), and an inhibition of global protein synthesis and proliferation in a number of different cancer cell lines [24]. The gene discussed is PRKAA1; the disease is cancer.