Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Genome-wide Surveillance of Transcription Errors in Eukaryotic Organisms
09:30

Genome-wide Surveillance of Transcription Errors in Eukaryotic Organisms

Published on: September 13, 2018

7.9K

TORC2-a new player in genome stability

Ronit Weisman1, Adiel Cohen2, Susan M Gasser3

  • 1Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel, Raanana, Israel ronitwe@openu.ac.il susan.gasser@fmi.ch.

EMBO Molecular Medicine
|July 5, 2014
PubMed

Insights

The target of rapamycin complex 2 (TORC2) plays a key role in DNA damage survival, a finding with potential implications for cancer chemotherapy. This research highlights TORC2

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, particularly mTOR complex 1 (TORC1), is extensively studied in metabolic and cancer research.
  • TORC1 is the canonical target of rapamycin and is involved in regulating autophagy, protein synthesis, and cell growth.
  • TORC2, a less-studied complex, is emerging as crucial for cellular responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of TORC2 in DNA damage survival.
  • To explore the conserved function of TORC2 in different yeast species.
  • To assess the potential of targeting mTORC2 in human cancer chemotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative studies in budding and fission yeast species.
  • Analysis of TORC2's downstream effectors, including AGC kinases.
  • Investigating the link between TORC2, lipid biosynthesis, actin cytoskeleton, and DNA damage response.
  • Preliminary modulation studies in human cancer cells.

Main Results:

  • TORC2 has a conserved role in DNA damage survival across yeast species.
  • TORC2 regulates lipid biosynthesis and the actin cytoskeleton via AGC kinases.
  • These downstream pathways are surprisingly implicated in oxidative DNA damage survival.
  • Early data suggest mTORC2 modulation may enhance chemotherapy efficacy in cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • TORC2 is a critical regulator of DNA damage survival, extending beyond its known roles.
  • The downstream targets of TORC2, particularly AGC kinases, are involved in DNA repair mechanisms.
  • Targeting mTORC2 presents a promising avenue for novel cancer therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
DNA damageTORC1TORC2cancer therapiesmTOR

More Related Videos

HOX Loci Focused CRISPR/sgRNA Library Screening Identifying Critical CTCF Boundaries10:10

HOX Loci Focused CRISPR/sgRNA Library Screening Identifying Critical CTCF Boundaries

Published on: March 31, 2019

7.7K
A New Toolkit for Evaluating Gene Functions using Conditional Cas9 Stabilization08:20

A New Toolkit for Evaluating Gene Functions using Conditional Cas9 Stabilization

Published on: September 2, 2021

3.5K

Related Concept Videos

RNA Stability01:53

RNA Stability

Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
31.5K
RNA Stability01:53

RNA Stability

10.9K
Genome Copying Errors02:46

Genome Copying Errors

DNA replication is a well-evolved process that copies millions of base pairs with high fidelity during each cell division. Occasionally a wrong base or a long stretch of wrong bases may get added to the daughter strands. If the errors are left unchecked, cells might accumulate several mutations that might endanger their  survival. Therefore, the copying errors are checked and repaired at three levels.
4.3K
mRNA Stability and Gene Expression02:51

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

The structure and stability of mRNA molecules regulates gene expression, as mRNAs are a key step in the pathway from gene to protein. In eukaryotes, the half-life of mRNA varies from a few minutes up to several days. mRNA stability is essential in growth and development. The absence of the proteins regulating its stability, such as tristetraprolin in mice, can cause systemic issues, including bone marrow overgrowth, inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
5.0K
mRNA Stability and Gene Expression02:51

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

2.6K
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated...
5.0K