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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Study of Protein-protein Interactions in Autophagy Research
Published on: September 9, 2017
Spatial coupling of mTOR and autophagy augments secretory phenotypes
Masako Narita1, Andrew R J Young, Satoko Arakawa
1Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute (CRI), Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK.
None:
Protein synthesis and autophagic degradation are regulated in an opposite manner by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), whereas under certain conditions it would be beneficial if they occurred in unison to handle rapid protein turnover. We observed a distinct cellular compartment at the trans side of the Golgi apparatus, the TOR-autophagy spatial coupling compartment (TASCC), where (auto)lysosomes and mTOR accumulated during Ras-induced senescence. mTOR recruitment to the TASCC was amino acid- and Rag guanosine triphosphatase-dependent, and disruption of mTOR localization to the TASCC suppressed interleukin-6/8 synthesis. TASCC formation was observed during macrophage differentiation and in glomerular podocytes; both displayed increased protein secretion. The spatial coupling of cells' catabolic and anabolic machinery could augment their respective functions and facilitate the mass synthesis of secretory proteins.
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