PI3K-mTORC1 attenuates stress response by inhibiting cap-independent Hsp70 translation

Protein synthesis is a key regulated cellular process that links nutrient availability and organismal growth. It has long been known that some cellular proteins continue to be synthesized under conditions where global translation is severely compromised. One prominent example is the selective translation of heat shock proteins (Hsps) under stress conditions. Although the transcriptional regulation of Hsp genes has been well established, neither the specific translation-promoting features nor the regulatory mechanism of the translation machinery have been clearly defined. Here we show that the stress-induced preferential translation of Hsp70 mRNA is negatively regulated by PI3K-mTORC1 signaling. Despite the transcriptional up-regulation, the translation of Hsp70 mRNA is deficient in cells lacking tuberous sclerosis complex 2. Conversely, Hsp70 synthesis is enhanced under the reduced PI3K-mTORC1 signaling. We found that the 5' UTR of Hsp70 mRNA contributes to cap-independent translation without exhibiting typical features of internal ribosome entry site. Our findings imply a plausible mechanism for how persistent PI3K-mTORC1 signaling favors the development of age-related pathologies by attenuating stress resistance.