The GATOR–Rag GTPase pathway inhibits mTORC1 activation by lysosome-derived amino acids

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 370 (6514) ◽  
pp. 351-356
Author(s):  
Geoffrey G. Hesketh ◽  
Fotini Papazotos ◽  
Judy Pawling ◽  
Dushyandi Rajendran ◽  
James D. R. Knight ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Lysosomal Degradation ◽  
Oncogenic Ras ◽  
Mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Independent Mechanism ◽  
Guanosine Triphosphatase ◽  
Rag Gtpase ◽  
Mtorc1 Activation

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) couples nutrient sufficiency to cell growth. mTORC1 is activated by exogenously acquired amino acids sensed through the GATOR–Rag guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) pathway, or by amino acids derived through lysosomal degradation of protein by a poorly defined mechanism. Here, we revealed that amino acids derived from the degradation of protein (acquired through oncogenic Ras-driven macropinocytosis) activate mTORC1 by a Rag GTPase–independent mechanism. mTORC1 stimulation through this pathway required the HOPS complex and was negatively regulated by activation of the GATOR-Rag GTPase pathway. Therefore, distinct but functionally coordinated pathways control mTORC1 activity on late endocytic organelles in response to distinct sources of amino acids.

scholarly journals Glutamine and asparagine activate mTORC1 independently of Rag GTPases

2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (10) ◽  
pp. 2890-2899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delong Meng ◽  
Qianmei Yang ◽  
Huanyu Wang ◽  
Chase H. Melick ◽  
Rishika Navlani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Control Cell ◽  
Nutrient Sensing ◽  
Rag Gtpases ◽  
Independent Mechanism ◽  
Growth Metabolism ◽  
Rag Gtpase ◽  
Mtorc1 Activation ◽  
Mtor Complex 1 ◽  
Adp Ribosylation Factor

Nutrient sensing by cells is crucial, and when this sensing mechanism is disturbed, human disease can occur. mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) senses amino acids to control cell growth, metabolism, and autophagy. Leucine, arginine, and methionine signal to mTORC1 through the well-characterized Rag GTPase signaling pathway. In contrast, glutamine activates mTORC1 through a Rag GTPase–independent mechanism that requires ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (Arf1). Here, using several biochemical and genetic approaches, we show that eight amino acids filter through the Rag GTPase pathway. Like glutamine, asparagine signals to mTORC1 through Arf1 in the absence of the Rag GTPases. Both the Rag-dependent and Rag-independent pathways required the lysosome and lysosomal function for mTORC1 activation. Our results show that mTORC1 is differentially regulated by amino acids through two distinct pathways.

Abstract 102: Cardiac-specific Overactivation of the Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 Induces Metabolic, Structural and Functional Remodeling

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Davogustto ◽  
Rebecca Salazar ◽  
Hernan Vasquez ◽  
Heinrich Taegtmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Glucose Uptake ◽  
Glucose Transporter ◽  
Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Glycolytic Intermediate ◽  
Glucose Transporter 1 ◽  
Structural Remodeling ◽  
Mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Metabolic Remodeling ◽  
Functional Remodeling ◽  
Mtorc1 Activation

The heart remodels metabolically and structurally before it fails. Metabolically, the heart increases its reliance on carbohydrates for energy provision. Structurally, the heart hypertrophies to sustain increased hemodynamic stress. There is evidence suggesting that the activation of the mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway is closely tied to glucose uptake by the heart to drive the metabolic and structural remodeling. We have previously shown that with insulin stimulation or increases in workload, the glycolytic intermediate glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) is required to activate mTORC1. Sustained mTORC1 activation leads, in turn, to ER stress and contractile dysfunction. Studies by others in the kidney have shown that mTORC1 activation upregulates glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) expression and glucose uptake. We therefore test the hypothesis that chronic mTORC1 overactivation results in G6P accumulation, and precedes structural and functional remodeling in the heart. We developed mice with inducible, cardiac-specific deficiency of the protein tuberin (TSC2), a member of the tuberous sclerosis complex, the principal inhibitor of mTORC1. Intracellular G6P concentrations were measured enzymatically. Immunoblotting was performed on protein markers to confirm activation of mTORC1 downstream targets and of the unfolded protein response. Histologic analysis were performed to assess structural changes. Serial echocardiograms were performed to evaluate cardiac function. The results indicate that chronic mTORC1 activation through inducible, cardiac-specific deletion of TSC2 is accompanied by G6P accumulation and metabolic remodeling. Metabolic remodeling precedes structural and functional remodeling. We suggest that in the heart, sustained mTORC1 activation is a key driver of metabolic and structural remodeling.

High-intensity muscle contraction-mediated increases in Akt1 and Akt2 phosphorylation do not contribute to mTORC1 activation and muscle protein synthesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 128 (4) ◽  
pp. 830-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuki Maruyama ◽  
Chisaki Ikeda ◽  
Koki Wakabayashi ◽  
Satoru Ato ◽  
Riki Ogasawara
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Resistance Exercise ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Muscle Protein ◽  
Muscle Protein Synthesis ◽  
Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Mtorc1 Activation

High-intensity muscle contraction (HiMC) is known to induce muscle protein synthesis, a process in which mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is reported to play a critical role. However, the mechanistic details have not been completely elucidated. Here, we investigated whether Akt plays a role in regulating HiMC-induced mTORC1 activation and muscle protein synthesis using a rodent model of resistance exercise and MK2206 (an Akt kinase inhibitor). The right gastrocnemius muscle of male C57BL/6J mice aged 10 wk was isometrically contracted via percutaneous electrical stimulation (100 Hz, 5 sets of 10 3-s contractions, 7-s rest between contractions, and 3-min rest between sets), while the left gastrocnemius muscle served as a control. Vehicle or MK2206 was injected intraperitoneally 6 h before contraction. MK2206 inhibited both resting and HiMC-induced phosphorylation of Akt1 Ser-473 and Akt2 Ser-474. MK2206 also inhibited the resting phosphorylation of p70S6K and 4E-BP1, which are downstream targets of mTORC1; however, it did not inhibit the HiMC-induced increase in phosphorylation of these targets. Similarly, MK2206 inhibited the resting muscle protein synthesis, but not the resistance exercise-induced muscle protein synthesis. On the basis of these observations, we conclude that although Akt2 regulates resting mTORC1 activity and muscle protein synthesis, HiMC-induced increases in mTORC1 activity and muscle protein synthesis are Akt-independent processes. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Akt is well known to be an upstream regulator of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and has three isoforms in mammals, namely, Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3. We found that high-intensity muscle contraction (HiMC) increases Akt1 and Akt2 phosphorylation; however, HiMC-induced increases in mTORC1 activity and muscle protein synthesis are Akt-independent processes.

Rheb and Rags come together at the lysosome to activate mTORC1

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 951-955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlous J. Groenewoud ◽  
Fried J.T. Zwartkruis
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Growth Factors ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Maturation Process ◽  
Phospholipase D1 ◽  
Strict Requirement ◽  
Mtorc1 Activation ◽  
Dependent Interaction

mTORC1 (mammalian target of rampamycin complex 1) is a highly conserved protein complex regulating cell growth and metabolism via its kinase mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). The activity of mTOR is under the control of various GTPases, of which Rheb and the Rags play a central role. The presence of amino acids is a strict requirement for mTORC1 activity. The heterodimeric Rag GTPases localize mTORC1 to lysosomes by their amino-acid-dependent interaction with the lysosomal Ragulator complex. Rheb is also thought to reside on lysosomes to activate mTORC1. Rheb is responsive to growth factors, but, in conjunction with PLD1 (phospholipase D1), is also an integral part of the machinery that stimulates mTORC1 in response to amino acids. In the present article, we provide a brief overview of novel mechanisms by which amino acids affect the function of Rags. On the basis of existing literature, we postulate that Rheb is activated at the Golgi from where it will travel to lysosomes. Maturation of endosomes into lysosomes may be required to assure a continuous supply of GTP-bound Rheb for mTORC1 activation, which may help to drive the maturation process.

scholarly journals Oncogenic Signalling through Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR): A Driver of Metabolic Transformation and Cancer Progression

Cancers ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellie Rad ◽  
James Murray ◽  
Andrew Tee
Keyword(s):  
Cell Growth ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Growth Control ◽  
Protein Translation ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Metabolic Transformation ◽  
Normal Human

Throughout the years, research into signalling pathways involved in cancer progression has led to many discoveries of which mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key player. mTOR is a master regulator of cell growth control. mTOR is historically known to promote cell growth by enhancing the efficiency of protein translation. Research in the last decade has revealed that mTOR’s role in promoting cell growth is much more multifaceted. While mTOR is necessary for normal human physiology, cancer cells take advantage of mTOR signalling to drive their neoplastic growth and progression. Oncogenic signal transduction through mTOR is a common occurrence in cancer, leading to metabolic transformation, enhanced proliferative drive and increased metastatic potential through neovascularisation. This review focuses on the downstream mTOR-regulated processes that are implicated in the “hallmarks” of cancer with focus on mTOR’s involvement in proliferative signalling, metabolic reprogramming, angiogenesis and metastasis.

scholarly journals Amino Acid-Mediated Intracellular Ca2+ Rise Modulates mTORC1 by Regulating the TSC2-Rheb Axis through Ca2+/Calmodulin

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6897
Author(s):  
Yuna Amemiya ◽  
Nao Nakamura ◽  
Nao Ikeda ◽  
Risa Sugiyama ◽  
Chiaki Ishii ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Growth Regulator ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Environmental Cues ◽  
Gtpase Activating Protein ◽  
Mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Rag Gtpases ◽  
Mtorc1 Activation

Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a master growth regulator by controlling protein synthesis and autophagy in response to environmental cues. Amino acids, especially leucine and arginine, are known to be important activators of mTORC1 and to promote lysosomal translocation of mTORC1, where mTORC1 is thought to make contact with its activator Rheb GTPase. Although amino acids are believed to exclusively regulate lysosomal translocation of mTORC1 by Rag GTPases, how amino acids increase mTORC1 activity besides regulation of mTORC1 subcellular localization remains largely unclear. Here we report that amino acids also converge on regulation of the TSC2-Rheb GTPase axis via Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM). We showed that the amino acid-mediated increase of intracellular Ca2+ is important for mTORC1 activation and thereby contributes to the promotion of nascent protein synthesis. We found that Ca2+/CaM interacted with TSC2 at its GTPase activating protein (GAP) domain and that a CaM inhibitor reduced binding of CaM with TSC2. The inhibitory effect of a CaM inhibitor on mTORC1 activity was prevented by loss of TSC2 or by an active mutant of Rheb GTPase, suggesting that a CaM inhibitor acts through the TSC2-Rheb axis to inhibit mTORC1 activity. Taken together, in response to amino acids, Ca2+/CaM-mediated regulation of the TSC2-Rheb axis contributes to proper mTORC1 activation, in addition to the well-known lysosomal translocation of mTORC1 by Rag GTPases.

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