A further report delineated distinct functions of α subunits of AMPK (α1 and α2) within PASMCs in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.339 Activation of AMPK α2 promoted PASMCs survival by maintaining myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) expression, whereas AMPK α1 activation inhibited apoptosis through facilitating autophagy. This evidence concerns the gene PRKAA1 and pulmonary arterial hypertension.