The collective results in cell lines in which AMPK or CREB1 was silenced or overexpressed and the effects of these manipulations on GLUT3 expression, identified the AMPK/CREB1/GLUT3 axis as a new alternative pathway to retain the metabolic activity of CRC cells in the face of glucose insufficiency. The gene discussed is SLC2A3; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.