The present study demonstrates the potential of CRE Ze 450 to induce AMPK phosphorylation, i.e., the activation of this key enzyme of metabolic regulation in cells from various different tissues including C2C12 muscle cells, HEPG2 hepatoma cells, neuronal HT22 cells, and in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Here, PRKAA2 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.