A-769662 is a potent, reversible activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK is an αβγ heterotrimer and plays an important role in regulating cellular and whole-body metabolism. A-769662 only activates AMPK heterotrimers containing the β1 subunit. A-769662 activates AMPK through the β subunit carbohydrate-binding module and the γ subunit but not the AMP-binding sites. A-769662 stimulated partially purified rat liver AMPK with an EC50 of 0.8 µM and inhibited fatty acid synthesis in primary rat hepatocytes with an IC50 of 3.2 µM.