PPARGC1A and retinal degeneration: Additionally, inactivation of AMPK, the other protein responsible for PGC-1α activation, was suggested in that experiment, and altogether, the authors concluded that the repression of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway could disturb mitochondrial biogenesis, resulting in overproduction of ROS, RPE cell damage, and finally, retinal degeneration typical for AMD.