Search results for "mTORC1"

Cannabinoid receptor 1 modulates the autophagic flux independent of mTOR- and BECLIN1-complex

2013

Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CB1) has been initially described as the receptor for Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in the central nervous system (CNS), mediating retrograde synaptic signaling of the endocannabinoid system. Beside its expression in various CNS regions, CB1 is ubiquituous in peripheral tissues, where it mediates, among other activities, the cell's energy homeostasis. We sought to examine the role of CB1 in the context of the evolutionarily conserved autophagic machinery, a main constituent of the regulation of the intracellular energy status. Manipulating CB1 by siRNA knockdown in mammalian cells caused an elevated autophagic flux, while the expression of autophagy-related genes rema…

mTORC1 activation in B cells confers impairment of marginal zone microarchitecture by exaggerating cathepsin activity

2018

Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a key regulator of cell metabolism and lymphocyte proliferation. It is inhibited by the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a heterodimer of TSC1 and TSC2. Deletion of either gene results in robust activation of mTORC1. Mature B cells reside in the spleen at two major anatomical locations, the marginal zone (MZ) and follicles. The MZ constitutes the first line of humoral response against blood‐borne pathogens and undergoes atrophy in chronic inflammation. In previous work, we showed that mice deleted for TSC1 in their B cells (TSC1(BKO)) have almost no MZ B cells, whereas follicular B cells are minimally affected. To explore potential underl…

The landscape of epilepsy-related GATOR1 variants

2019

Purpose:\ud \ud To define the phenotypic and mutational spectrum of epilepsies related to DEPDC5, NPRL2 and NPRL3 genes encoding the GATOR1 complex, a negative regulator of the mTORC1 pathway.\ud \ud Methods:\ud \ud We analyzed clinical and genetic data of 73 novel probands (familial and sporadic) with epilepsy-related variants in GATOR1-encoding genes and proposed new guidelines for clinical interpretation of GATOR1 variants.\ud \ud Results:\ud \ud The GATOR1 seizure phenotype consisted mostly in focal seizures (e.g., hypermotor or frontal lobe seizures in 50%), with a mean age at onset of 4.4 years, often sleep-related and drug-resistant (54%), and associated with focal cortical dysplasia…

Molecular mechanisms of carfilzomib-induced cardiotoxicity in mice and the emerging cardioprotective role of metformin

2019

AbstractCarfilzomib (Cfz), an irreversible proteasome inhibitor licensed for relapsed/refractory myeloma, is associated with cardiotoxicity in humans. We sought to establish the optimal protocol of Cfz-induced cardiac dysfunction, to investigate the underlying molecular-signaling and, based on the findings, to evaluate the cardioprotective potency of metformin (Met). Mice were randomized into protocols 1 and 2 (control and Cfz for 1 and 2 consecutive days, respectively); protocols 3 and 4 (control and alternate doses of Cfz for 6 and 14 days, respectively); protocols 5A and 5B (control and Cfz, intermittent doses on days 0, 1 [5A] and 0, 1, 7, and 8 [5B] for 13 days); protocols 6A and 6B (p…

Blocking of myostatin and activins increase muscle protein synthesis and mTORC1 signaling but decreases capillary density

2012

In human endothelial cells rapamycin causes mTORC2 inhibition and impairs cell viability and function.

2008

Aim Drug-eluting stents are widely used to prevent restenosis but are associated with late endothelial damage. To understand the basis for this effect, we have studied the consequences of a prolonged incubation with rapamycin on the viability and functions of endothelial cells. Methods and results Human umbilical vein or aorta endothelial cells were exposed to rapamycin in the absence or in the presence of tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα). After a 24 h-incubation, rapamycin (100 nM) caused a significant cell loss associated with the increase of both apoptosis and necrosis, as quantified by propidium iodide staining, caspase 3 activity, and lactate dehydrogenase release. Rapamycin also impair…

mTOR Driven Gene Transcription Is Required for Cholesterol Production in Neurons of the Developing Cerebral Cortex

2021

AbstractDysregulated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity is associated with various neurodevelopmental disorders ranging from idiopathic autism spectrum disorders to syndromes caused by single gene defects. This suggests that maintaining mTOR activity levels in a physiological range is essential for brain development and functioning. Upon activation, mTOR regulates a variety of cellular processes such as cell growth, autophagy and metabolism. On a molecular level, however, the consequences of mTOR activation in the brain are not well understood.Low levels of cholesterol are associated with a wide variety of neurodevelopmental disorders. We here describe numerous genes of the stero…

VEGF-B-induced vascular growth leads to metabolic reprogramming and ischemia resistance in the heart

2014

Abstract Angiogenic growth factors have recently been linked to tissue metabolism. We have used genetic gain‐ and loss‐of function models to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of action of vascular endothelial growth factor‐B (VEGF‐B) in the heart. A cardiomyocyte‐specific VEGF‐B transgene induced an expanded coronary arterial tree and reprogramming of cardiomyocyte metabolism. This was associated with protection against myocardial infarction and preservation of mitochondrial complex I function upon ischemia‐reperfusion. VEGF‐B increased VEGF signals via VEGF receptor‐2 to activate Erk1/2, which resulted in vascular growth. Akt and mTORC1 pathways were upregulated and AMPK downregulated, …

The deubiquitinase USP11 is a versatile and conserved regulator of autophagy

2021

Autophagy is a major cellular quality control system responsible for the degradation of proteins and organelles in response to stress and damage to maintain homeostasis. Ubiquitination of autophagy-related proteins or regulatory components is important for the precise control of autophagy pathways. Here, we show that the deubiquitinase ubiquitin-specific protease 11 (USP11) restricts autophagy and that KO of USP11 in mammalian cells results in elevated autophagic flux. We also demonstrate that depletion of the USP11 homolog H34C03.2 in Caenorhabditis elegans triggers hyperactivation of autophagy and protects the animals against human amyloid-β peptide 42 aggregation-induced paralysis. USP11…

Lipid Activates mTORC1 and mTORC2 in the Absorption of Dietary Triglycerides

2018

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) senses amino acids; however, its role in lipid metabolism is less established. Organismal lipid requirements are largely met through dietary intake. How nutrient sensing mechanisms in gut interface with dietary fat remains unclear. Here we reveal fundamental and cooperative roles for mTOR complexes 1 and 2 (mTORC1/2) in absorption of dietary triglycerides. Dietary lipid activates mTORC1/2 signaling in gut. Hyperactivating mTORC1 by deleting Tsc1 is sufficient to promote triglyceride absorption and metabolic disease in high fat-fed mice. Conversely, blocking mTORC1/2 by deleting Raptor or Rictor each decreases triglyceride absorption. Loss of Raptor seq…