This results in altered ATP/ADP levels, which in turn attenuate AMPK activity leading to increased transcription of multiple pro-inflammatory genes including the chemokine CCL2. Collectively, our data unravel a link between energy shuttling and inflammation in white adipocytes and suggest that this balance is perturbed in obesity. The gene discussed is PRKAA1; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.