Frequent [corrected] hyperphosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 [corrected] in lymphangioleiomyomatosis-associated angiomyolipomas.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis is a progressive lung disease characterized by a diffuse proliferation of pulmonary smooth muscle cells and cystic degeneration. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis can occur either independently of other disease or in association with tuberous sclerosis complex, a tumor-suppressor gene syndrome caused by mutations that inactivate either TSC1 or TSC2. TSC2 mutations and loss of heterozygosity have been identified in sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis-associated angiomyolipomas, thus implicating the TSC/Ras homolog-enriched in brain (Rheb)/mammalian target of Rapamycin (mTOR)/p70 S6 kinase signaling pathway in their pathogenesis. This study was undertaken to determine whether the mTOR/p70 S6 kinase signaling pathway is activated in lymphangioleiomyomatosis-associated angiomyolipomas lacking TSC1/TSC2 loss of heterozygosity. Phospho-ribosomal protein S6 (Ser235/236) immunohistochemistry was performed on five lymphangioleiomyomatosis-associated angiomyolipomas, two matched lymphangioleiomyomatosis pulmonary samples, and three sporadic angiomyolipomas. TSC1/TSC2 loss of heterozygosity was previously excluded in these angiomyolipomas. Moderate or strong phospho-ribosomal protein S6 immunoreactivity was found in all lymphangioleiomyomatosis-associated and sporadic angiomyolipomas, suggesting a high incidence of mTOR/p70 S6 kinase signaling pathway activation despite a lack of TSC1/TSC2 loss of heterozygosity. Focally positive phospho-S6 staining was also evident in both lymphangioleiomyomatosis pulmonary samples. We hypothesized that this S6 hyperphosphorylation could reflect mutational activation of Rheb or Rheb-like protein (RhebL1), Ras family members which directly activate mTOR. Mutational analysis performed on DNA from these eight angiomyolipomas plus five additional sporadic angiomyolipomas did not reveal mutations in exons 3 and 4 (homologous sites of Ras activating mutations) of either Rheb or RhebL1. These data suggest that activation of the Rheb/mTOR/p70 S6 kinase pathway is related to the pathogenesis of lymphangioleiomyomatosis-associated and sporadic angiomyolipomas lacking TSC1/TSC2 loss of heterozygosity. This high incidence of mTOR signaling pathway activation suggests that treatment with mTOR inhibitors, such as Rapamycin, may benefit patients with angiomyolipomas independent of the detection of TSC1/TSC2 loss of heterozygosity.     

Regulation of the TSC pathway by LKB1: evidence of a molecular link between tuberous sclerosis complex and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) are dominantly inherited benign tumor syndromes that share striking histopathological similarities. Here we show that LKB1, the gene mutated in PJS, acts as a tumor suppressor by activating TSC2, the gene mutated in TSC. Like TSC2, LKB1 inhibits the phosphorylation of the key translational regulators S6K and 4EBP1. Furthermore, we show that LKB1 activates TSC2 through the AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK), indicating that LKB1 plays a role in cell growth regulation in response to cellular energy levels. Our results suggest that PJS and other benign tumor syndromes could be caused by dysregulation of the TSC2/mTOR pathway.     

Regulation of mTOR function in response to hypoxia by REDD1 and the TSC1/TSC2 tumor suppressor complex

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central regulator of protein synthesis whose activity is modulated by a variety of signals. Energy depletion and hypoxia result in mTOR inhibition. While energy depletion inhibits mTOR through a process involving the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) by LKB1 and subsequent phosphorylation of TSC2, the mechanism of mTOR inhibition by hypoxia is not known. Here we show that mTOR inhibition by hypoxia requires the TSC1/TSC2 tumor suppressor complex and the hypoxia-inducible gene REDD1/RTP801. Disruption of the TSC1/TSC2 complex through loss of TSC1 or TSC2 blocks the effects of hypoxia on mTOR, as measured by changes in the mTOR targets S6K and 4E-BP1, and results in abnormal accumulation of Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). In contrast to energy depletion, mTOR inhibition by hypoxia does not require AMPK or LKB1. Down-regulation of mTOR activity by hypoxia requires de novo mRNA synthesis and correlates with increased expression of the hypoxia-inducible REDD1 gene. Disruption of REDD1 abrogates the hypoxia-induced inhibition of mTOR, and REDD1 overexpression is sufficient to down-regulate S6K phosphorylation in a TSC1/TSC2-dependent manner. Inhibition of mTOR function by hypoxia is likely to be important for tumor suppression as TSC2-deficient cells maintain abnormally high levels of cell proliferation under hypoxia.     

Activation of the mTOR pathway in sporadic angiomyolipomas and other perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasms

Angiomyolipoma (AML) belong to a family of tumors known as perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) that share a common immunophenotypic profile of muscle and melanocytic differentiation. These tumors are clonal in nature and have a strong association with tuberous sclerosis. Genetic analyses have reported allelic imbalance at the TSC2 locus on 16p13. In the context of non-tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), non-lymphangioleiomyomatosis-associated AMLs, and non-renal PEComas, the functional status of the TSC2 signaling pathway has not been reported. Studies over the last several years have uncovered a critical role of the TSC1/2 genes in negatively regulating the Rheb/mTOR/p70S6K cascade. Here, we examined the activity of this pathway in sporadic AMLs and PEComas using immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses. We found increased levels of phospho-p70S6K, a marker of mTOR activity, in 15 of 15 non-TSC AMLs. This was accompanied by reduced phospho-AKT expression, a pattern that is consistent with the disruption of TSC1/2 function. Western blot analysis confirmed mTOR activation concurrent with the loss of TSC2 and not TSC1 in sporadic AMLs. Similarly, elevated phospho-p70S6K and reduced phospho-AKT expression was detected in 14 of 15 cases of extrarenal PEComas. These observations provide the first functional evidence that mTOR activation is common to sporadic, non-TSC-related AMLs and PEComas. This suggests the possibility that mTOR inhibitors such as rapamycin may be therapeutic for this class of disease.     

IKKbeta suppression of TSC1 function links the mTOR pathway with insulin resistance

The proinflammatory cytokine TNFalpha is one of the factors that links obesity-derived chronic inflammation with insulin resistance. Activation of mTOR signaling pathway has been found to suppress insulin sensitivity through serine phosphorylation and the inhibition of IRS1 by mTOR and its downstream effector, S6K1. It remains elusive that whether the mTOR pathway has a role in TNFalpha-mediated insulin resistance. In the present study, we demonstrated that TNFalpha-IKKbeta-mediated inactivation of TSC1 resulted in increasing phosphorylation of IRS1 serine 307 and serine 636/639, impaired insulin-induced glucose uptake, tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS1, and the association between IRS1 and PI3K p85. Furthermore, a higher expression of pIKKbeta (S181), pTSC1(S511), and pS6(S240/244) was found in livers obtained from both C57BL/6J mice on a high-fat diet and B6.V-Lepob/J mice. Collectively, dysregulation of the TSC1/ TSC2/mTOR signaling pathway by IKKbeta is a common molecular switch for both cancer pathogenesis and diet- and obesity-induced insulin resistance.     

Analysis of mTOR pathway expression in lymphatic malformation and related diseases

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor sirolimus is an effective treatment for difficult‐to‐treat lymphatic anomalies. However, little is known about the expression of mTOR pathway components in lymphatic anomalies. Here we investigated the expression pattern of mTOR pathway components and their phosphorylated forms (mTOR, p‐mTOR, 4EBP1, p‐4EBP1, S6K1 and p‐S6K1) in normal lymphatic vessels and lymphatic anomalies using immunohistochemistry. We studied 18 patients of lymphatic anomalies, including lymphatic malformation (LM, n = 14), Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis (KLA, n = 2) and Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE, n = 2). Normal lymphatic vessels expressed 4EBP1, S6K1 and p‐S6K1, but not p‐4EBP1, mTOR or p‐mTOR. The mTOR was detected in all lymphatic anomalies, whereas its activation form p‐mTOR was detected in half cases of KLA and KHE but not in LM. All lymphatic anomalies expressed S6K1 and its activated form p‐S6K1. The expression of 4EBP1 was also found in all lymphatic anomalies, but its activation was detected in approximately half of them. The activation of mTOR was seen in tumor (KLA and KHE) but not in malformation (LM), whereas the activation of S6K1 and 4EBP1 was seen in all and half of lymphatic anomalies, respectively.     

Mammalian cell size is controlled by mTOR and its downstream targets S6K1 and 4EBP1/eIF4E

The coordinated action of cell cycle progression and cell growth (an increase in cell size and cell mass) is critical for sustained cellular proliferation, yet the biochemical signals that control cell growth are poorly defined, particularly in mammalian systems. We find that cell growth and cell cycle progression are separable processes in mammalian cells and that growth to appropriate cell size requires mTOR- and PI3K-dependent signals. Expression of a rapamycin-resistant mutant of mTOR rescues the reduced cell size phenotype induced by rapamycin in a kinase-dependent manner, showing the evolutionarily conserved role of mTOR in control of cell growth. Expression of S6K1 mutants that possess partial rapamycin-resistant activity or overexpression of eIF4E individually and additively partially rescues the rapamycin-induced decrease in cell size. In the absence of rapamycin, overexpression of S6K1 or eIF4E increases cell size, and, when coexpressed, they cooperate to increase cell size further. Expression of a phosphorylation site-defective mutant of 4EBP1 that constitutively binds the eIF4E-Cap complex to inhibit translation initiation reduces cell size and blocks eIF4E effects on cell size. These data show that mTOR signals downstream to at least two independent targets, S6K1 and 4EBP1/eIF4E, that function in translational control to regulate mammalian cell size.     

Renin angiotensin system modulates mTOR pathway through AT2R in HIVAN

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been reported to contribute to the development of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). We hypothesized that HIV may be activating renal tissue mTOR pathway through renin angiotensin system (RAS) via Angiotensin Receptor Type II receptor (AT2R). Renal tissues of Vpr transgenic and Tg26 (HIVAN) mice displayed enhanced phosphorylation of mTOR and p70S6K. Aliskiren, a renin inhibitor attenuated phosphorylation of both mTOR and p70S6K in renal tissues of HIVAN mice. Interestingly, Angiotensin Receptor Type I (AT1R) blockade did not modulate renal tissue phosphorylation of mTOR in HIVAN mice; on the other hand, AT2R blockade attenuated renal tissue phosphorylation of mTOR in HIVAN mice. In vitro studies, both renin and Ang II displayed enhanced mouse tubular cell (MTC) phosphorylation of p70S6K in a dose dependent manner. HIV/MTC also displayed enhanced phosphorylation of both mTOR and p70S6K; interestingly this effect of HIV was further enhanced by losartan (an AT1R blocker). On the other hand, AT2R blockade attenuated HIV-induced tubular cell phosphorylation of mTOR and p70S6K, whereas, AT2R agonist enhanced phosphorylation of mTOR and p70S6K. These findings indicate that HIV stimulates mTOR pathway in HIVAN through the activation of renin angiotensin system via AT2R.     

Constant allelic alteration on chromosome 16p (TSC2 gene) in perivascular epithelioid cell tumour (PEComa): genetic evidence for the relationship of PEComa with angiomyolipoma

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumours (PEComas) are a family of tumours including classic angiomyolipoma, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, and clear epithelioid cell tumours reported under a variety of names such as epithelioid angiomyolipoma, pulmonary and extrapulmonary clear cell sugar tumour, and PEComa. Our previous comparative genomic hybridization study of PEComas demonstrated recurrent chromosomal aberrations including deletions on chromosome 16p, where the TSC2 gene is located. In this study, we focused on the alteration of chromosome 16p, including TSC2. We collected ten sporadic and two tuberous sclerosis complex-associated PEComas, as well as 14 sporadic classic hepatic and renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) as controls. We used 16 microsatellite markers distributed along chromosome 16p to test for allelic imbalances on chromosome 16p and at TSC2, and two markers for TSC1. Furthermore, we carried out immunohistochemical staining for phospho-p706K, phospho-AKT, and phospho-S6 to evaluate the effect of TSC2 alterations on the mTOR signalling pathway. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was found in 11 PEComas and involved the region of the TSC2 locus in seven. Six classic angiomyolipomas had allelic changes at chromosome 16p. Microsatellite instability was detected in two PEComas. The incidence of genetic aberrations was significantly higher in the PEComa group. Only one PEComa showed LOH at the TSC1 locus. Eleven PEComas and 13 AMLs revealed elevated phospho-p70S6K accompanied by reduced phospho-AKT. Five PEComas and eight classic angiomyolipomas were positive for phospho-S6. The phosphorylation profile indicates functional activation of the mTOR pathway through a disrupted TSC1/2 complex. Our observations of frequent deletion of TSC2 and the mTOR signalling pathway provide evidence that the oncogenetic lineage of PEComa, as a distinct TSC2-linked neoplasm, is similar to that of angiomyolipoma.     

PEComas: the past,the present and the future

The perivascular epithelioid cell (PEC) is a cell type constantly present in a group of tumors called PEComas. PEC expresses myogenic and melanocytic markers, such as HMB45 and actin. Recently, recurrent chromosomal alterations have been demonstrated in PEC. At present, PEComa is a widely accepted entity. In the past 10 years, the use of this term has allowed to report and describe numerous cases permitting to start highlighting the biology of this group of lesions. PEComas are related to the genetic alterations of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), an autosomal dominant genetic disease due to losses of TSC1 (9q34) or TSC2 (16p13.3) genes which seem to have a role in the regulation of the Rheb/mTOR/p70S6K pathway. There are some open questions about PEComas regarding its histogenesis, the definition of epithelioid angiomyolipoma and the identification of the histological criteria of malignancy. An innovative therapeutic trial using rapamycin is under way for tumors occurring in TSC such as renal angiomyolipoma and lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Its success could provide the rationale for the use of the same drug in other lesions composed of PECs, especially in the malignant ones.     

mTOR pathway activation in focal cortical dysplasia

BackgroundFocal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is a localized cortical malformation and considerable morphological overlap exists between FCD IIB and neurological lesions associated with Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Abnormal mTOR pathway secondary to somatic mTOR mutation and TSC gene mutation linked to PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway have supported the hypothesis of common pathogenesis involved. Role of converging pathway, viz. Wnt/β-Catenin and mTOR is unknown in FCD. We aimed to analyse FCD IIB for TSC1/TSC2 mutations, immunoreactivity of hamartin, tuberin, mTOR and Wnt signalling cascades, and stem cell markers.Materials and methodsSixteen FCD IIB cases were retrieved along with 16 FCD IIA cases for comparison. Immunohistochemistry was performed for tuberin, hamartin, mTOR pathway markers, markers of stem cell phenotype, and Wnt pathway markers. Mutation analysis for TSC1 and TSC2 was performed by sequencing in 9 FCD cases.ResultsAll FCD cases showed preserved hamartin and tuberin immunoreactivity. Aberrant immunoreactivity of phospho-P70S6 kinase, S6 ribosomal, phospho-S6 ribosomal and Stat3 was noted in FCD IIB, with variable phospho-4E-BP1 (45%) and absent phospho-Stat3 expression. Immunoreactivity for phospho-P70S6 kinase (100%), S6 ribosomal protein (100%) and Stat3 (100%) was noted in FCD IIA, but not for phospho-S6 ribosomal, phospho-4E-BP1 and phospho-Stat3. c-Myc immunoreactivity was noted in all FCD cases. Nestin (81%) and Sox 2 (88%) stained balloon cells in FCD IIB (44%), while in FCD IIA cases were negative. All FCD cases were immunopositive for Wnt, but were negative for β-Catenin and cyclin-D1. TSC mutations were detected in two cases of FCD IIB.ConclusionAbnormal mTOR pathway activation exists in FCD IIB and IIA, however, shows differential immunoreactivity profile, indicating varying degrees of dysregulation. Labelling of neuronal stem cell markers in balloon cells suggests they are phenotypically immature. TSC1/2 mutation play role in the pathogenesis of FCD. Deep targeted sequencing is preferred diagnostic technique since conventional sanger sequencing often fails to detect low-allele frequency variants involved in mTOR/TSC pathway genes, commonly found in FCD.     

Targeting the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Pathway in Airway Smooth Muscle

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway plays a critical role in regulating cell growth, proliferation, survival, and motility. Structural alterations, e.g. airway remodeling, in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell growth and proliferation due to the frequent stimulation of ASM by inflammatory mediators, contractile agonists, and growth factors. The critical role of the PI3K signaling pathway in regulating ASM cell growth and proliferation is well established. However, recent discovery of the tumor suppressor proteins tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (TSC1) and TSC2, also known as hamartin and tuberin, as downstream effectors of PI3K and upstream regulators of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and S6 kinase 1(S6K1) shed a new light on the PI3K signaling cascade in regulating cell growth and proliferation. The activity of TSC1/TSC2 is regulated by growth factors, nutrients, and energy; thus, TSC1/TSC2 serves as a signaling module for protein translational regulation, cell cycle progression, and cell size, which are key events controlling cell growth and proliferation. This article highlights the potential contribution of the PI3K-TSC1/TSC2-mTOR/S6K1 pathway in smooth muscle remodeling. Pharmacologic manipulation of this signaling pathway could have a major impact on treatment of asthma and COPD.     

Mammalian target of rapamycin in spinal cord neurons mediates hypersensitivity induced by peripheral inflammation

mTOR, the mammalian target of rapamycin, is a serine–threonine kinase known to regulate cell proliferation and growth. mTOR has also been implicated in neuronal synaptic plasticity as well as in pain transmission in models of chemically induced and neuropathic pain. To date, the role of mTOR as a modulator of inflammatory pain has not been examined. In this study, we investigated the role of mTOR in Sprague–Dawley rats using the carrageenan model of inflammatory pain. mRNA of Ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb), a GTPase that positively regulates mTOR activation, was significantly increased 2 h following carrageenan injection. Four hours after induction of inflammation phosphorylation (p) of p70S6 kinase (S6K), ribosomal protein S6 (S6) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) was increased, indicating mTOR activation. Inhibition of spinal mTOR with intrathecal (i.t.) injection of rapamycin (0.1–3 μg) led to a dose-dependent decrease in carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia and a reduction of mechanical allodynia. In vitro studies confirmed rapamycin inhibition of the mTOR pathway. Carrageenan-induced activation of the mTOR pathway in rats was localized predominantly to dorsal horn neurons in the superficial lamina. Taken together, these data show that the mTOR pathway is activated in dorsal horn neurons during inflammatory pain, and that inhibition of spinal mTOR attenuates inflammation-induced thermal and tactile hypersensitivity. Hence, our study indicates that spinal mTOR is an important regulator of spinal sensitization and suggests that targeting mTOR may provide a new avenue for pain therapy.     

Differential expression of mTOR signaling pathway proteins in lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia

Dysregulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway has a variety of effects on the immune system and stem cell proliferation. Lichen planopilaris (LPP) and frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) are inflammatory scalp conditions resulting in permanent alopecia, which are thought to be related to stem cell damage. Here we investigate the expression of mTOR signaling pathway proteins in human hair follicles of LPP and FFA patients. The expression of mTOR pathway proteins in biopsy specimens from lesional and non-lesional scalp areas of eight LPP and five FFA patients were compared to control scalp biopsies from patients undergoing surgical excisions of sebaceous cysts. We performed immunohistochemical evaluation using a panel of antibodies including mTOR, phospho-mTOR (Ser2448), phospho-p70S6K (Thr389), phospho-4EBP1 (Thr37146), and phospho-tuberin (T1462), as well as Western blot analysis for phospho-p70S6K (Thr389) expression. All evaluated mTOR pathway proteins were similarly expressed in the control and patient non-lesional scalps. While mTOR expression did not show significant alterations between the groups, p-mTOR, p-p70S6K, p-4EBP1, and p-tuberin expressions decreased in the interfollicular epidermis in the lesional scalps of patients. p-p70S6K and p-4EBP1 expression decreased in the outer root sheath (ORS) and inner root sheath (IRS) of the bulge of hair follicles in the lesional scalps of patients. p-mTOR and p-p70S6K expression increased in the lower follicle ORS and bulb of the hair follicles, and p-4EBP1 expression decreased in the bulb of the hair follicles in the lesional scalps of patients. Phospho-tuberin expression increased in the IRS of the bulge and lower follicle ORS of the hair follicles in the lesional scalps of patients, whereas its expression decreased in the bulb. Our results indicate that the mTOR signaling pathway proteins are localized throughout normal hair follicles and that expression of mTOR signaling pathway proteins is altered in the hair follicles of LPP and FFA patients. Further research is required to understand the mechanism by which mTOR operates in the pathogenesis of these diseases.     

有氧运动对小鼠骨骼肌结节性硬化复合物蛋白2基因表达及胰岛素受体底物1丝氨酸磷酸化的影响

背景：研究表明,胰岛素受体底物蛋白1(insulin receptor substrate 1,IRS1)的丝氨酸磷酸化和结节性硬化复合物蛋白2的表达及哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白/核糖体S6激酶1信号通路的异常可诱导机体产生胰岛素抵抗。 目的：观察有氧运动对小鼠骨骼肌结节性硬化复合物蛋白2基因表达及IRS1丝氨酸磷酸化的影响。 方法：将C57BL/6小鼠随机分为安静组和运动组,运动组进行6周的75%VO2max强度的有氧跑台运动,安静组不做任何干预。采用RT-PCR,Western blot和免疫荧光组织化学染色等方法检测各组大鼠骨骼肌结节性硬化复合物蛋白2,IRS1,pIRS1-Ser307和pIRS1-Ser636/639的表达和定位。 结果与结论：运动组结节性硬化复合物蛋白2 mRNA及蛋白表达高于安静组(P < 0.05),两组间胰岛素受体底物蛋白1 mRNA及蛋白表达差异无显著性意义。运动组胰岛素受体底物蛋白1的丝氨酸307和丝氨酸636/639位点的磷酸化明显低于安静组(P< 0.05)。结果提示,有氧运动可增强骨骼肌组织结节性硬化复合物蛋白2基因表达,进而抑制胰岛素受体底物蛋白1的丝氨酸磷酸化。     

Abnormal growth of smooth muscle-like cells in lymphangioleiomyomatosis: Role for tumor suppressor TSC2

The TSC1 and TSC2 proteins, which function as a TSC1/TSC2 tumor suppressor complex, are associated with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a genetic disorder characterized by the abnormal growth of smooth muscle-like cells in the lungs. The precise molecular mechanisms that modulate LAM cell growth remain unknown. We demonstrate that TSC2 regulates LAM cell growth. Cells dissociated from LAM nodules from the lungs of five different patients with LAM have constitutively activated S6K1, hyperphosphorylated ribosomal protein S6, activated Erk, and increased DNA synthesis compared with normal cells from the same patients. These effects were augmented by PDGF stimulation. Akt activity was unchanged in LAM cells. Rapamycin, a specific S6K1 inhibitor, abolished increased LAM cell growth. The full-length TSC2 was necessary for inhibition of S6 hyperphosphorylation and DNA synthesis in LAM cells, as demonstrated by co-microinjection of the C-terminus, which contains the GTPase activating protein homology domain, and the N-terminus, which binds TSC1. Our data demonstrate that increased LAM cell growth is associated with constitutive S6K1 activation, which is extinguishable by TSC2 expression. Loss of TSC2 GAP activity or disruption of the TSC1/TSC2 complex dysregulates S6K1 activation, which leads to abnormal cell proliferation associated with LAM disease.     

mTOR/p70s6k参与巨核细胞多倍体化调控

目的:研究巨核细胞多倍体细胞周期调控的机制。方法:Western blot分析多倍体细胞模型中mTOR/p70s6k通路信号分子表达和磷酸化修饰位点的变化,流式细胞仪双荧光分析S6K1不同结构域磷酸化位点修饰与细胞周期各时相的关系。结果:诺考达唑诱导的Dami细胞可作为相对同步化的多倍体细胞周期模型,mTOR表达增加及第2448位丝氨酸位点磷酸化,发生在G1期进入S期,S6K1的第421位苏氨酸/第424位丝氨酸位点磷酸化发生在G2/M期。结论:mTOR/S6K1通路参与巨核细胞多倍体细胞周期的调控。     

Missense mutations to the TSC1 gene cause tuberous sclerosis complex

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by the development of hamartomas in a variety of organs and tissues. The disease is caused by mutations in either the TSC1 gene on chromosome 9q34 or the TSC2 gene on chromosome 16p13.3. The TSC1 and TSC2 gene products, TSC1 and TSC2, interact to form a protein complex that inhibits signal transduction to the downstream effectors of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Here we investigate the effects of putative TSC1 missense mutations identified in individuals with signs and/or symptoms of TSC on TSC1-TSC2 complex formation and mTOR signalling. We show that specific amino-acid substitutions close to the N-terminal of TSC1 reduce steady-state levels of TSC1, resulting in the activation of mTOR signalling and leading to the symptoms of TSC.     

Paradigm of kinase-driven pathway downstream of epidermal growth factor receptor/Akt in human lung carcinomas

The expression/activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the correlation with the phosphorylation status of downstream modulator proteins, Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p70S6-kinase (S6K), ribosomal protein S6 (rS6), and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), were analyzed and EGFR/Akt signaling was evaluated in lung carcinomas. Immunohistochemical analysis of 140 cases revealed overexpression of EGFR in 37.9% and phosphorylation in 37.1%, but much less in small cell carcinoma. Combined analysis with immunoblotting revealed that when EGFR is activated, at least one of the mTOR/S6K or mTOR/4E-BP1 cascades was activated in 60% of the cases. Furthermore, constitutive activation of EGFR-Akt-mTOR was found in 17.9% of nonsmall cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs). For each protein, the frequencies of the activation vary among histologic types. In adenocarcinoma (AC), 90% revealed mTOR activation regardless of EGFR status, and 60% of these showed activation of downstream S6K/rS6. Furthermore, mutation of EGFR was frequently accompanied by phosphorylation of EGFR and constitutive activation of entire EGFR through rS6 was observed in 50% of carcinoma harboring EGFR mutation, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). By clinicopathologic analysis, Akt activation was correlated with lymph node metastasis in general, but nodal metastasis was correlated with rS6 activation in AC and with mTOR activation in SCC. In conclusion, (i) constitutive activation of EGFR/Akt/mTOR pathway was present in defined subset of NSCLC; (ii) mTOR/S6K/rS6 axis is frequently activated in AC, and constitutively activated through Akt by EGFR mutation even in SCC; and (iii) mTOR and rS6 are possible determinants of nodal metastasis in SCC and AC, respectively.     

Resistance exercise, but not endurance exercise, induces IKKβ phosphorylation in human skeletal muscle of training-accustomed individuals

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is considered an important role in the muscular adaptations to exercise. It has been proposed that exercise-induced signaling to mTORC1 do not require classic growth factor PI3K/Akt signaling. Activation of IKKβ and the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) Erk1/2 and p38 has been suggested to link inflammation and cellular stress to activation of mTORC1 through the tuberous sclerosis 1 (TSC1)/tuberous sclerosis 2 (TSC2) complex. Consequently, activation of these proteins constitutes potential alternative mechanisms of mTORC1 activation following exercise. Previously, we demonstrated that mTOR is preferentially activated in response to resistance exercise compared to endurance exercise in trained individuals without concomitant activation of Akt. In the present study, we extended this investigation by examining IκB kinase complex (IKK), TSC1, MAPK, and upstream Akt activators, along with gene expression of selected cytokines, in skeletal muscles from these subjects. Biopsies were sampled prior to, immediately after, and in the recovery period following resistance exercise, endurance exercise, and control interventions. The major finding was that IKKβ phosphorylation increased exclusively after resistance exercise. No changes in TSC1, Erk1/2, insulin receptor, or insulin receptor substrate 1 phosphorylation were observed in any of the groups, while p38 phosphorylation was higher in the resistance exercise group compared to both other groups immediately after the intervention. Resistance and endurance exercise increased IL6, IL8, and TNFα gene expression immediately after exercise. The non-exercise control group demonstrated that cytokine gene expression is also sensitive to repeated biopsy sampling, whereas no effect of repeated biopsy sampling on protein expression and phosphorylation was observed. In conclusion, resistance exercise, but not endurance exercise, increases IKKβ phosphorylation in trained human subjects, which support the idea that IKKβ can influence the activation of mTORC1 in human skeletal muscle.