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Regulation of mTORC1 by Small GTPases in Response to Nutrients

Min Zhu1, Xiu-Qi Wang1

  • 1College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

The Journal of Nutrition
|January 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) regulates cell growth and metabolism. Small GTPases control mTORC1 activity in response to nutrients like amino acids, impacting diseases such as cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a central regulator of cell growth and metabolism, responding to nutrients, hormones, energy, and stress.
  • Dysregulation of mTORC1 signaling is implicated in diseases including diabetes, obesity, and cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of how small GTPases regulate mTORC1 activity in response to nutrient cues.
  • To elucidate the specific roles of various small GTPases in nutrient sensing and mTORC1 activation pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating mTORC1 regulation by small GTPases.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways involving Rag, Rheb, Arf1, Ral-A, Rho, and Rab GTPases.
  • Focus on amino acid sensing mechanisms, including leucine, arginine, and glutamine.

Main Results:

  • Small GTPases like Rag, Rheb, and Arf1 are critical mediators of mTORC1 regulation by nutrients.
  • Leucine and arginine activate mTORC1 via Rag GTPases and the Ragulator complex.
  • Glutamine activates mTORC1 through Arf1, independent of the Rag GTPase pathway.

Conclusions:

  • Small GTPases play diverse and condition-specific roles in nutrient-mediated mTORC1 activation.
  • Understanding these regulatory mechanisms is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies for mTORC1-related diseases.
Keywords:
arginineglutamineleucinemTORC1small GTPases

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